Kim - Now's our chance

Kim: two titles this year

Now that Tiger is not playing, it gives us all a little bit more of a chance this year. I think everybody is trying to seize that opportunity.

Anthony Kim
Quotes of the week

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Rising star Anthony Kim has admitted that Tiger Woods' absence from Firestone this week represents an "opportunity" for the rest of the field.

The world number one has dominated the WGC Bridgestone Invitational even more than he has other events, winning it six times and for the last three years in a row.

But Woods is out for the year following knee surgery and Kim reckons that will provide extra motivation for the elite 81-strong field at the season's third World Golf Championship event.

"Now that Tiger is not playing, it gives us all a little bit more of a chance this year," said the 23-year-old American, a two-time winner on the PGA Tour this year. "I think everybody is trying to seize that opportunity.

"It's a great opportunity for us to make a name for ourselves and stamp our name in the golf world."

Straight hitter

Open champion Padraig Harrington will be bidding to win his first WGC event and although the Dubliner has never flourished at Firestone Country Club - with just two top-15 finishes in nine starts - he is well aware of what is required on the par-70 layout.

"Every year, it's the same," the 36-year-old said. "It's a real tough, fair challenge. There's nothing really on the golf course that nobody particularly likes.

"It's quite long and it is one of the narrowest courses we play of the year. You've got to really be a straight hitter to do well."

South African Ernie Els has relished playing at Firestone since making his debut there in 1999 when he finished fifth.

"I've shot a lot of decent scores on this golf course and despite never having won the tournament I always like my chances coming in," the three-time major champion wrote on his official website.