The Bridgestone Invitational is a terrific appetizer to the main dish of the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits next week. This small-field, no-cut event should once again be excellent just like it was last season when Rory McIlroy held off Sergio Garcia.
Let's take a look.
What: Bridgestone Invitational
Where: Akron, Ohio
When: August 6-9
How to watch (all times Eastern): Golf Channel (Thursday and Friday from 1:30-6:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 12-1:30 p.m.), CBS (Saturday and Sunday from 2-6 p.m.)
Participants and odds
Jordan Spieth: 5-1
Dustin Johnson: 12-1
Jason Day: 12-1
Adam Scott: 16-1
Justin Rose: 16-1
Rickie Fowler: 16-1
Louis Oosthuizen: 22-1
Henrik Stenson: 25-1
Bubba Watson: 28-1
Field strength: A
The Nike firepower of Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods will be absent, but this field will include 48 of the top 50 players in the world rankings. I love these small-field tournaments with nobody but the best golfers on the planet.
Story to watch: This is a story that might only interest me, but Keegan Bradley hasn't won a tournament since the Bridgestone in 2012. Bradley was once considered one of the young stars on tour, and while he hasn't completely faded, it's been a long time since he hoisted a trophy. To put this in perspective, Tiger Woods has won five times since Bradley last won.
Why is Tiger Woods not playing?
Wait, I thought Tiger had won this tournament eight times? Where is he? Well, he's not in the top 50 in the world and hasn't won since last year so he wasn't invited. He's also eschewing the opposite-tournament Barracuda Championship to prepare for the PGA Championship.
Past winners
2014: Rory McIlroy
2013: Tiger Woods
2012: Keegan Bradley
2011: Adam Scott
2010: Hunter Mahan
Let's pick this event.
Expert picks (Robby Kalland)
| Player | Pick | Analysis |
|---|---|---|
 |
Winner | I just love the way Jason Day has been playing recently. He bounced back from the disappointment at the British to win the Canadian Open in dramatic style, and just seems to have all aspects of his game in order. Odds: 12-1 |
 |
Top 10 | Yes, I'm playing this one safe. Jordan Spieth is always there lurking near the top of the leaderboard -- if he's not dominating and on top -- so he's my lock for a Top 10. Odds: 5-1 |
 |
Sleeper | Hideki Matsuyama is my guy! He's ultra consistent, has one of the best swings on Tour and has eight top-10s this season. He's going to break through and win a big event soon. Maybe this will be the week it happens. Odds: 25-1 |
Expert picks (Kyle Porter)
| Player | Pick | Analysis |
|---|---|---|
 |
Winner | Justin Rose has top-five finishes here in two of the last three years. Odds: 16-1 |
|
Top 10 | Jordan Spieth is going to fill this space for me for a long, long time. Spieth skipped this tournament two years ago for his caddie's nuptials. He finished 49th last year. Odds: 5-1 |
 |
Sleeper | There are no sleepers in a small field like this but at 45-1 I suppose Jim Furyk qualifies. He has four top-15s in the last five years here. Odds: 45-1 |
