The Stan James NEC Invitational Preview

The world's best golfers move on to Firestone Country Club in Ohio for the NEC Invitational and the key man will again be none other than Tiger Woods. Why? Well not only is he Number One in the world, but because his record in this event is second to none. He's never been out of the top Four in the six NEC's at Firestone, winning three on the trot and coming second to Stewart Cink last year. Stan James put him in at 15/8 favourite. The problem for Tiger this week will be his game at the moment. He was noticeably erratic at Baltusrol off the tee, although such is the man's talent that he still ended up joint fourth. He needs to iron out a few things but mentally he'll also want to bounce back with a win. Vijay is still less than $300,000 behind Tiger in the Money list, and we know the man likes to be number 1. The field at Firestone is top class, with the top 50 all invited and the vast majority attending. 72 players tee off in total.So can we look beyond Tiger this week? Let's start with second favourite Singh at 7/1. Vijay's putting is a worry at the moment. He just couldn't buy a putt last week and again he'll struggle unless he performs on the dancefloor. Phil Mickelson picked up his second Major at Baltusrol, but you suspect that Lefty will take his foot off the gas this week. At 12's he seems good value though. He certainly has the winning habit. The Goose again played well until the last day when once again he failed to deliver in the last round. I'm sure this is a temporary blip, but the longer it goes on, the more it'll erode his.and our confidence. 16/1 though is not a bad price. Another player who was disappointing on the last day, was Davis Love (28/1). He seemed strangely apprehensive when in contention and the body language isn't good at the moment. However his record at Firestone is very good. One player who has got a real chance this week is Jim Furyk at 20/1. He has finished in the Top Ten in 5 of the six NEC's, and his record is second best to Tiger. An average USPGA can be excused. He'll be much more at home at Firestone. Sergio Garcia has a very poor record in this event and needs to up his game at the moment. David Toms finished just four strokes off the winner last week and he tied 6th last time at Firestone. At 25/1 he seems to be the type of player that could challenge this week. Darren Clarke won this event two years ago and at 40's he would be worth a sheckle. Similarly Lee Westwood and Michael Campbell had very good USPGA's and both are a tempting price of 50/1. Stewart Cink, last year's Champion is priced at 50's as well. It was good to see Thomas Bjorn play well last week and if that putt had dropped on the 18th then who knows..he's 66/1 this week and you could do a lot worse. He's also 12's in the Top European market. Monty has also come 4th in this event and generally he fares well here. He's priced at 14's in the Top European market. A man who can mix it with the best is Australian, Mark Hensby. This guy seems ready to burst on to the big stage soon and at 20/1 in the Top Rest of the World market he will give you a good run for your money. If you think that Tiger will get everything together this week and be unbeatable then there is betting without Tiger Woods, with Vijay heading the field at 5/1.The course is a Par 70, being 7,283 yards in length, but shouldn't hold too many problems for the field. It's a bit like after the Lord Mayor's Show but it will be entertaining enough, with this sort of field. The weather is due to be a little thundery, especially on the weekend, but the first two days should be stoppage free at least.Tiger is the man they all have to beat this week. Period. The one problem, if any, is whether he will be motivated enough.