Firestone: Six to watch

Woods: Great record

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Without a victory in 11 months, Tiger Woods arrives at the WGC-Bridgestone at Firestone desperate to end his barren run.

Still the world number one, Tiger has not tasted success since winning the BMW Championship at Cog Hill, Illinois, in September of last year.

Since then it has been a sequence of near-misses and even the odd missed cut.

Yet Tiger knows that Firestone is a venue that has provided him with more victories than any other in professional golf.

Since this week's World Golf Championship event was first staged over the South Course in 1999, Tiger has won there seven times - in just nine starts.

His worst finish is fourth and his 36 rounds at Firestone, as a WGC venue, is a remarkable 67.44.

So despite, what for him, has been a mediocre run of form, the 34-year-old will still probably tee-it-up as favourite this week.

So who are Tiger's main challengers in the Bridgestone Invitational?

Paul Casey: In desperate need of a high finish to boost his Ryder Cup chances. The world No. 9 is without a victory in over 14 months but in seven visits to Firestone has posted five top-20 finishes.

Luke Donald: One of the most consistent pros in world golf. At No 7 in the world, Donald is Europe's second highest ranked player behind Lee Westwood. He has had six top-three finishes this season which includes a victory in Madrid.

Padraig Harrington: Second last week in Ireland and second in this event 12 months ago. The three-time Major winner is finally getting back into decent shape ahead of next week's PGA Championship.

Hunter Mahan: Great things are expected of Mahan who has struggled with his form in recent months. With no top-10 finish since Augusta, the time is ripe for the American to re-discover his 'A' game. He was fourth at Firestone last year.

Phil Mickelson: Despite winning at Firestone in 1996, when the course hosted the World Series, Leftie has struggled at the venue in recent years - only one top-10 finish there since 2003.

Lee Westwood: Runner-up in Ohio two years ago, Westwood rarely turns in a poor performance nowadays.