As we continue the build-up to the third World Golf Championships of the year at Firestone CC, europeantour.com stats man Steve Doughty puts the spotlight on five to watch at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.
Angel Cabrera
- Still looking for his first World Golf Championship title to go alongside his US Open Championship and Masters Tournament victories
- The 2014 WGC – Bridgestone Invitational will be his 30th appearance in a WGC tournament - Interestingly, his best three WGC performances have all been in this event over the Firestone course having finished fourth in 2004, 2006 and 2009
- July has been a good month for the Argentine, claiming The Greenbrier Classic on the US PGA Tour and also finishing in the top 20 of The 143rd Open Championship
Sergio Garcia
- Arrives in Ohio full of confidence that he can record his first WGC victory after his tie for second place alongside Rickie Fowler in The 143rd Open Championship
- Has been in sparkling form of late, having finished in a share of the runners-up spot in his last two events, the Travelers Championship (US PGA Tour) and The Open
- This may be third time lucky for the 34 year old, competing in his 42nd WGC event and having compiled 14 top ten finishes from his previous 41
Graeme McDowell
- Has enjoyed a wonderful July, having made a successful defence of his Alstom Open de France crown
- This has been coupled with two further performances of tied ninth in The 143rd Open Championship and in last week’s RBC Canadian Open (US PGA Tour)
- Another strong finish would push him very close to automatic selection for The European Ryder Cup Team
- Aiming to be become the second Northern Irishman and only the second European to win the WGC – Bridgestone Invitational, following Darren Clarke in 2003, here at Firestone.
Rory McIlroy
- Riding on the crest of a wave having won his third career Major Championship at Royal Liverpool two weeks ago
- Has built up a wonderfully impressive form guide in WGC events but is yet to enter the winner’s circle
- From his previous 21 outings in WGC tournaments has been placed inside the top ten on 12 occasions with three of those 12 here at Firestone (Tied ninth in 2010, tied sixth in 2011 and tied fifth in 2012)
- Is aiming to claim European Tour victories in consecutive European Tour appearances for the first time
- Trying to become the first player since Tiger Woods in 2006 to win The Open Championship and then go onto record another victory in their very next European Tour tournament (Woods - 2006 US PGA Championship)
Justin Rose
- Like the two men from Northern Ireland is enjoying a wonderful July, winning a national title in the shape of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open
- Recorded a top 25 performance in The Open Championship two weeks ago
- Has a proven track record around the South Course at Firestone. He was fifth on his debut back in 2002, tied second in 2007 and tied fifth in 2012, having also notched up two further top 20s
- Looking to join Ian Poulter as the only Englishman to have multiple WGC victories on their CV
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