Golf Events / Dan Geraghty / 04 August 2010 /

Reulgar PGA Tour watcher Dan Geraghty picks the US-based players to watch at the WGC Bridgestone Invitational

Well, Mike Norman outlines just why Tiger Woods is to be feared this week in his preview of form European golfers but there are other PGA Tour Stars that come into this week in better form and with more golf behind them this year. I've picked out three to keep an eye on.

Dustin Johnson (Odds to win [55.0], top-five finish [11.5])

Dustin is close to becoming one of the real stars of the PGA Tour. A few weeks ago he understandably missed the cut at the AT&T National, his first tournament since his disastrous final round at this year's US Open. However, up until that meltdown, Johnson had looked every inch the Major winner. It speaks volumes that Dustin bounced back from those disappointments to finish 14th at his second attempt at the Open Championship two weeks ago. Last year the big hitting American finished 22nd on his first visit to Firestone Country Club and can be backed with confidence at a nice price.

Steve Stricker ([32.0], [7.8])

Steve Stricker finished sixth here last year and comes into this week in fine form. A line can be put through his Open Championship form as British links golf doesn't suit his game. However, Stricker won at a canter the week before that and with last year's form fresh in the memory, and two wins to his name this year already, he can't be ignored.

Hunter Mahan ([50.0], [12.0])

Mahan's form in this event has a progressive look to it, three years ago he was 22nd on his debut here, he followed that up with a 10th place finish and then last year finished with a 66 to take fourth position. Since then the American has had another fine year thus far, a win earlier in the season has been consolidated with four further top 20s, including a 17th place finish at last weeks Canadian Open. Everything points towards a strong showing from the Ryder Cup hopeful.

Dangers: Phil Mickelson has yet another chance to become the official number one golfer in the World and he had better take the chance soon because Tiger won't give him many more chances. Gentleman Jim Furyk played well without seriously challenging last week and has bits and pieces of form at Firestone. Anthony Kim is back this week but will surely come on for the run. Of the Europeans, despite his erratic driving I could not have been more impressed with Padraig Harrington last week, his scrambling was probably the best I've ever witnessed and with form in the bank here, Pod should be there or thereabouts.

Bubba Watch: It's the big man's first taste of the WGC Bridgestone Invitational and he must be full of confidence after a great start to the year. Bubba has spent some time this week playing with Shaquille O'Neal, I wonder how far behind Bubba's drives Shaq was... https://twitpic.com/2b2rhc

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