Devil Ball Golf - Golf

Each week, Five To Watch breaks down the most significant players and storylines for the upcoming weekend's tournament. We're not saying these guys will win, or that you should pick them for your fantasy team; we're just saying you ought to keep an eye on them. You never know what might happen. Today, we run down the field in the star-studded star-studdery that is the WGC-Bridgestone.

Tiger Woods: Yeah, like you're not going to watch Tiger, like it or not. (Though I would keep a safe distance from him and David Feherty this week, just to be sure.) Tiger has won six times at Bridgestone, so yes, it's a fairly safe pick.

Phil Mickelson: He's the sentimental choice -- this year, he always is -- but he's also got a solid record in Akron, and he's actually not a terrible golfer either, despite what you may have heard. He did just fine at the U.S. Open after a layoff, but how will he do here, given that the Bridgestone doesn't quite have the cachet of a major?

Vijay Singh: It's been a quiet year for the defending Bridgestone champ, but he turned it on something fierce this time last year. Underestimate him at your peril, mortals.

Lee Westwood: Lost in the Cink-Watson hullaballoo at the Open Championship last month was the fact that Lee Westwood was right there on the cusp yet again, and a little less aggression might have put him in the playoff. He's always a safe bet, and he's wiser now than he was a month ago, that's for sure.

Geoff Ogilvy: Okay, color me humbled. (What color would that be? Kind of a dull orange?) After his hot start to the year, I was picking him as the breakout star of 2009. Hasn't quite worked out that way, and he's had a rough run at Bridgestone. There's still time, Geoff! Don't make me look like any more of an idiot than I already do!

And there are plenty of big names left on the board, including Jim Furyk, Retief Goosen, Paul Casey and Anthony Kim. Who's your pick this week? Have at it!

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21 Comments

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  1. sram003
    1. Posted by sram003 Wed Aug 05, 2009 6:07 pm EDT

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    am all for Vijay...now its his turn......
  2. Travis
    2. Posted by Travis Wed Aug 05, 2009 6:43 pm EDT

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    Tiger Woods ----------- Has to be the favorite at this layout !
    Retief Goosen ---------Playing well and capable of more !
    Henrik Stenson -------Consistent sort who doesn't back off !
    Phil Mickelson ---------Usually close up !
    Hunter Mahan --------- Longshot needs best effort !
    This is an excellent International field. These W, G. C. events are not hyped much by the media who are pretty much out of touch with reality in any case but Mr. Woods doesn't pass them & within 20 years his dominance in these events will contribute considerably to his legacy !!
  3. lou-zerr
    3. Posted by lou-zerr Wed Aug 05, 2009 7:23 pm EDT

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    VJ will turn it up in Minnesota next week!!!!!!
  4. Ed R
    4. Posted by Ed R Wed Aug 05, 2009 8:30 pm EDT

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    Come on Bussbee Talking about Phil Get real He is lucky this is a no cut tournament,Thats the only reason He showed up... Everybody knows lots more golfers are better than Phil. What about Jim Furyk and newly Britist open champion, and Anthony Kim, Villegas, Goosen, I can write so many names out there.. I guess bUssbee is a Diehard Phil Fanatic... YouR giving to much credit to Phil. Ok His wife is sick and we pray for her speedy recovery, But picking Phil come on... So many other golfers are far better than Phil...much much better Bussbe Give us a break will you... Stop making Phil in the same Caliber as Tiger not even close....It is like miles of miles apart... Just look at the Rating last week.... Can Phil command the same when Tiger is not on the Field? of course not... PGA could care less if Phil don't show up... Vijay is far better than Phil and the Lefty from Canada Weir is much better than Phil..and bunch more of EUROPEAN Players better than Phil.. Of course Minus wiggle Garcia LOL.... BUSBEE do us a a favor Please Stop making Phil in the breath as Tiger is not even close... PGA don't need Phil... PGA needs Tiger and Phil needs PGA thats for sure. so BUSSBEE you got to be Phil FA NA TIC LOL
  5. Travis
    5. Posted by Travis Wed Aug 05, 2009 8:49 pm EDT

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    @ #6 Ed R Stick with the E.S.L. ------You are better, but still come across as an arsehole trying to manipulate the English language. Who in hell is Kim for example? If you are talking about Anthony Kim then you are talking about a clownish individual who knows no more about Tournament Golf than yourself & that is S.F.A.
    By the way -------- Do you know what praying actually involves or do you just include this term as a condescencion to American type religion? Personally I think you are still one dumb arsewipe !!!
  6. PingZinger
    6. Posted by PingZinger Wed Aug 05, 2009 9:13 pm EDT

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    Vijay took his FEDEX money and bought his own Island -- he is DONE. Westwood is a basket-case and Ogilvy can't keep his fake teeth in long enough to complete his swing.. IF Tiger wants this one, it is his however I don't see the same 'focus' from him this week to win. Last week, he had a horrible field to contend with and he cruised home. This week, he will have to crank it up and I don't see him wasting the energy on this Tournament. Look for one of the young guns to take this one. Phil is there to meet his marketing/contractual obligations and nothing more.
  7. Thomas R
    7. Posted by Thomas R Wed Aug 05, 2009 10:20 pm EDT

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    Kenny Perry if he has a good first round could challenge this week, but he has some family health problems that may keep his mind away from the game but he is still in top 5 in most categories.
  8. notphilfan
    8. Posted by notphilfan Wed Aug 05, 2009 10:42 pm EDT

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    vijay, allenby cabrera howell kaymer
  9. qwestisthebest
    9. Posted by qwestisthebest Wed Aug 05, 2009 11:16 pm EDT

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    Vijay will not win any PGA ttour his year. Sad to say.
  10. Lou.M.
    10. Posted by Lou.M. Thu Aug 06, 2009 12:20 am EDT

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    #5--I guess it depends on whether you like a guy who places in the top 5 or 10 each tournament or one who wins often enough to rank #2. I believe Jay included Furyk in several 5 to win lately--but he hasn't. has doneWho knows how well he will do this week but he has done pretty well lately. He scored better than Tiger in the Masters and The U.S Open. I'm not claiming that Phil is the golfer Tiger is and neither does he, but he is a greeat golfer.I'm referring to Phil here.
  11. Less Gov't
    11. Posted by Less Gov't Thu Aug 06, 2009 1:37 am EDT

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    Sorry Jay, it's too late--everyone knows you are an idiot. Phil is history this week; and I love Phil but no way. I am an idiot, too as I also thought Geoff O. was going to dominate this year. Still has a good year but has coasted. Tiger is abbout the safest bet you can make and I like Westwood, too. I hope someone other than Tiger wins (hoping for him to come back and win the PGA). Maybe Vijay will break out this week, but not putting him on my fantasy team.
  12. Yusuf
    12. Posted by Yusuf Thu Aug 06, 2009 5:19 am EDT

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    I very much doubt that yijay has any thing going this year. ithink one of the europlan will win this -----may be garcia.
  13. Douglas C
    13. Posted by Douglas C Thu Aug 06, 2009 5:35 am EDT

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    Watch Jim Corbett.
  14. Kelly G
    14. Posted by Kelly G Thu Aug 06, 2009 5:50 am EDT

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    Phil will be too rusty to win this weekend.
  15. Jim C
    15. Posted by Jim C Thu Aug 06, 2009 10:01 am EDT

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    Douglas C...please put Jim Corbett back in your pants and get off the blogs...it's getting old and all you do is pi$$ people off.
  16. concerned.
    16. Posted by concerned. Thu Aug 06, 2009 12:19 pm EDT

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    We all know Tiger is the greatest ever-love him or hate him. With that said -Phil coming off a long break stands no chance. You claim to be a golf expert but continually pick the favorites. GOOO Tiger --BOOOO bUsby
  17. concerned.
    17. Posted by concerned. Thu Aug 06, 2009 12:19 pm EDT

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    We all know Tiger is the greatest ever-love him or hate him. With that said -Phil coming off a long break stands no chance. You claim to be a golf expert but continually pick the favorites. GOOO Tiger --BOOOO busbee
  18. Smart arack
    18. Posted by Smart arack Thu Aug 06, 2009 4:12 pm EDT

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    Miguel ANGEL Jiminez will win the Bridgestone or my name aint Fred Flunkstone!!!!!!!!!!!
  19. Go Chargers
    19. Posted by Go Chargers Sat Aug 08, 2009 9:26 pm EDT

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    Paddy and Tiger the last pairing Sunday, dang-it, now I don't know who to yell for or against.
  20. qwestisthebest
    20. Posted by qwestisthebest Sun Aug 09, 2009 10:20 pm EDT

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    The different between Tiger Wood and other Pro golfers;
    When Tiger HITS the ball he KNOWS where the golf ball supposes to go.
    When other pro SWINGS at the ball and they HOPE the ball will go where it supposes to be.
  21. Chuck
    21. Posted by Chuck Mon Aug 10, 2009 1:01 am EDT

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    It seems like Post #20 knows what he's talking about. Great pick.

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