With world number one Tiger Woods and three-time winner Vijay Singh out of the frame, Srixon golfer Jim Furyk has emerged as the hot favourite to win this week''s Buick Open in Michigan.
The 2003 champion is the only top 20 player in the field this year at the Warwick Hills tournament, which celebrates its 50th anniversary without two-time champion Woods.
Furyk has finished in the top ten at the Buick Open eight times and is likely to put in another strong performance this year, although several other players will also feel confident of taking the title.
Callaway''s Rocco Mediate makes the trip to Michigan fresh off his epic playoff battle with Woods at the US Open and is also a former tournament champion, winning the Buick in 2000.
Last year''s champion Brian Bateman will attempt to overcome a shoulder injury and defend his title after admitting that he was inspired by Woods'' heroic performance at Torrey Pines last week.
"I thought I owed it to Buick and to the people here at Warwick to at least come back and try to defend," the 35-year-old American said.
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