WGC-Bridgestone Invitational 2009 Round 1
With front-runner Prayad Marksaeng (who?) already under par in the first round of the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational, all eyes will, naturally, be on Tiger Woods. Seeking his seventh Bridgestone title, Woods is the man to beat.
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Will Tiger Woods dominate Round 1 of 2009 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational? (Photo: AP)
Nothing new there, as Woods is fresh off his 69th professional victory at the 51st and final Buick Open. Indeed, Woods owns the long and demanding Firestone Country Club in Akron, OH. He holds the Bridgestone tournament scoring record of 21-under and shares the course record of 61 with Jose Maria Olazabal.
While Tiger Woods is as close to a sure bet as there is, he has some recent baggage after failing to make the cut at the British Open. Sure, he breezed to victory last week at the Buick, but he toyed with a field that lacked star power and, instead, challenged the course to beat him.
Nowhere was that more evident than his power fade on the 13th hole that found the water. Such a high-risk attempt (it looked more like a Phil Mickelson desperation move than the usual Woods’ laser-like approach) seemed unnecessary. But when he almost stuck his wedge shot in the hole, it was just another ho-hum par against a defenseless golf course.
The 7,400-yard, par-70 Firestone is another story. Long and straight will be the key, according to the players. If anyone’s going to challenge Tiger (who will tee off at 1:10 p.m. EDT today), it might be any of the following five of the world’s top 49 players competing in this week’s no-cut event.
Phil Mickelson. In his first start since taking time off to attend to his ailing wife and mother, both of whom are fighting breast cancer, caregiver Phil says he’s maintained focus despite the downtime. “When I had my nurse gown on,” he tells the PGA Tour, “I would mentally rehearse shots and keep myself sharp even though I wasn’t touching a club.” Look for Mickelson partisans to be many and supportive.
Vijay Singh. He’s the defending champ but has yet to win this season. Last year, Singh began a hot streak here and it could happen again.
Stewart Cink. The 2009 British Open Championship winner has to be in the conversation, especially since the Twitter king has a good record at Firestone.
Lee Westwood. Runner-up to Singh last year, Westwood could be on the verge of a big win.
Jim Furyk. In nine Bridgestone events, Furyk has finished in the top 10 six times.
WGC-Bridgestone Invitational TV Schedule: Tiger Woods and the gang will be all over TV this week. Catch the action on the Golf Channel and CBS (all times are EDT).
Golf Channel:
Thursday and Friday — 2 p.m.-6 p.m.; replay 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m.
Saturday and Sunday — 12 noon-1:30 p.m.; replay 9:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m.
CBS:
Saturday and Sunday — 2 p.m.-6 p.m.
