The draw for the WGC Bridgestone Invitational has been made, and as ever, it has thrown up some mouth-watering pairings. Let us point you in the direction of the best of the tee-times for the first two days of action at Firestone Country Club.
Martin Kaymer and Adam Scotthave plenty in common – both are Major Champions known for the fluidity and grace of their swings, both are popular with fans and players alike. Kaymer might be leading in the Major title count, but Scott is a former winner of this event (2011). The easy-to-watch duo will get their WGC Bridgestone Invitational challenges under way from the tenth tee at 10:45 local time.
All golfing eyes will be on Jordan Spieth and the first tee when the World Number Two gets his quest for a first World Golf Championships title off and running at 14:15. With his swift rise to the top of the game at the tender age of 22, it is easy to forget that this will be only be Jordan’s third appearance in the event.
Zach Johnson will be partnering Spieth, in a pairing that holds all the aces as far as this year’s Major Championships go, with Johnson triumphing at St Andrews last month, and Spieth famously winning the first two Majors of the year.
With defending champion and World Number One Rory McIlroy missing through injury, a victory at the Bridgestone Invitational could see Spieth take over the top spot in the Official World Golf Ranking at the same event in which McIlroy became number one in the world with a victory last year.
Justin Rose and Phil Mickelsonhave seen a lot of each other over the years, most famously at the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah, and the star duo will again pull in the crowds when they take on Firestone at 14:25 from the first tee.
Rose has finished in the top five at this event four times in his career, including in two of the last three seasons, so will be confident of adding to his impressive haul of honours this week.
There will be plenty of passion and ability on show at 10:55 local time when European Tour membersSergio Garcia and Patrick Reedget their bids for glory going.
After taking a week off last week, Garcia will be fresh and keen to continue his good form at an event he finished second in last year, largely thanks to a sublime course record-equalling second round 61, which saw the Spaniard only need 27 shots on the back nine.
Yet another pairing of talent and pedigree seesJason Day and Rickie Fowlertee off half an hour before Sergio’s group, from the tenth tee as well.
Day again came close to winning a maiden Major title at St Andrews, before winning the week after at the RBC Canadian Open, while Fowler is coming off a solo second at the Quicken Loans National, and has two top-ten finishes at Firestone.
One of Europe’s best performers over recent years is ‘The Iceman’,Henrik Stenson. The Swede will partnerJim Furykfor the first two days of action in Akron, in an event he has come close to winning before, only to finish runner up to Tiger Woods in 2013.
Expect to see sparks flying when big-hitters and fan favouritesDustin Johnson and Bubba Watsonstart their latest WGC charges at 10:35, while another first round tee time to keep a watchful eye on is the 14:05 one from the tenth tee, featuring European Tour winnersIan Poulter and Branden Grace.
And finally, The European Tour’s most in-form player,Danny Willett, will look to continue his impressive rise through the ranks, when he gets going from the first tee at 10:05 alongside 15-time European Tour winnerThomas Bjørn.
To see the full draw and who other European Tour stars like Lee Westwood, Graeme McDowell, Shane Lowry, Bernd Wiesberger and Joost Luiten have been paired with,click here.
