While a lot of the big names are missing this year, this is still Tiger’s tournament and there’s a lot to keep an eye on. While, Furyk and Woods are the main guys from the World Golf Rankings, Crane, Allenby and DJ are all here to dethrone this Nike Golf dominated event.

Interesting fact; ONLY NIKE GOLFERS HAVE WON THIS EVENT. KJ Choi won in ’07 (he was with Nike), AK in ’08 and Tiger in ’09. So, maybe it will happen again. However, there is one big change this year; this is no longer played at Congressional. We move to a new course, so maybe don’t put as much value on the history section, but that will focus on the tournament over the past three years.

This is Week 9 of the season tournament and the first week of Month 3 of the NG Nation Fantasy Four and it’s never too late to join. For a refresher on the rules, hit the link — Contest Guidelines and leave your Fantasy Four below.

NIKE GOLF: Four to Watch

Tiger Woods
This is the time for Tiger to win. It’s his event, the course only has two par fives and I really think he wants to play consistently. It’s his to lose and it’s time for him to prove something.

Lucas Glover
Glover has played well at this event, but we’ve been waiting for him to break through all year. He’s only had 2 Top 10′s all year, but I think the length of this course and it’s reliance on good long iron shots should help out G’Lover.

Carl Pettersson
Pettersson has been slowly quietly making cuts for the past 11 tournaments and he’s had a bunch of Top 30′s. He’s been proving he can pick up 2 points where other Nike golfers have missed the cut.

Matt Hill
This is Hill’s second official PGA start as a member and I know he’s excited to do well at Tiger’s event, similarly to AK (who is still injured). Hill and Woods are tied for most wins in a college season and with a less intimidating field than at Memorial, he should pick up a cheque this week.

THE FIELD: Four Who are Hot

Justin Rose
Recent starts –  T9 at Travelers, 1st at Memorial
His collapse was tough on him, but I think he’s strong enough to rebound this week and keep it together. T16 last year and T30 in ’07.

Ricky Barnes
Recent starts – T5 at Travelers, T27 at US Open, T3 at Memorial, T7 at Crowne Plaza
Well, he is hot so I’d give him a chance. I still don’t see him winning an event soon though. He’s inconsistent in his round and I think he stays in tournament by playing one good round.

Scott Verplank
Recent starts – T2 at Travelers, T47 at US Open, T5 at Crowne Plaza, T5 at Byron Nelson, T13 at The Players.
He’s hot and due for a win, I’d say. His game is all around tight and should be picking up a big cheque this week.

Alex Cejka
Recent starts – T3 at BMW International Open, T8 at US Open
I think it’s time for people to start considering him as a legitimate threat. His overseas travels in the past few weeks concerns me, but he’s finished so well in the past two weeks. Definitely worth a chance this week if you don’t think he’s tired.

THE FIELD: Four Who Have History

Jim Furyk
Recent finishes at this event – T7 in ’09, T3 in ’08, T3 in ’07
I think the only question about Furyk is can he win three events this year? I think so, but not this week. I see a Top 5, though.

Robert Allenby
Recent finishes at this event – MC in ’09, T3 in ’08, T6 in ’07
My concern with Allenby is his health. T29 at the US Open was encouraging, but I just hope he’s healthy, because he’s been great this year.

Hunter Mahan
Recent finishes at this event – 2 in ’09, T12 in ’08, T8 in ’07
I think everyone is just praying that Mahan shows up this week. I think a lot of people are discounting him, but Mahan is always money in the 2nd half of the season.

Ryan Moore
Recent finishes at this event – T11 in ’09, MC in ’08, T25 in ’07
Moore could have made the hot list, also. I know his history isn’t great, but I thought he deserved to be mentioned. He’s playing great golf right now with a T13 at Travelers and T5 at Memorial, along with a T33 at the US Open.

FINAL FOUR: Jim Furyk, Sean O’Hair, Hunter Mahan and Tiger Woods.

I’m taking a chance on Mahan again after 4 straight missed cuts. He’s playing decent in the CVS event with Petterssen, so that’s a glimmer of hope. I didn’t have room for Rickie Fowler on the hot list, but he’s up there, too. Other big names this week are Dustin Johnson, Vijay, YE Yang, Jacobsen, JB Holmes, Bo Van Pelt, Charles Howell, Toms, Gay and Big Ben Crane, who is a fantasy favourite.

Check out the full field here >> AT&T National Full Field

Leave your Fantasy Four in a comment below. Remember, you must have ONE Nike Golfer and have your picks in by Wednesday at Midnight (PST).

Pick with your heart,

D.