FBR Open preview

TOURNAMENT: FBR Open

HOST COURSE: TPC at Scottsdale, Arizona

PRIZE FUND: $6,000,000

COURSE DETAILS: Despite weighing in at a hefty 7,216 yards the course is so spacious that the tour?s big-hitters will be taking the driver whenever possible - safe in the knowledge that they will have a shot for their second. Scoring is always low and only the wind can stop the players shooting low 60s on the par-71 layout.

The FBR Open, previously the Phoenix Open, is always highly anticipated in America as it is famed for being one of the loudest and most spectacular competitions on the PGA Tour calendar. In fact, organisers expect to see more than half a million golf fanatics lining the fairways this year. Defending champion J B Holmes will be looking to rediscover the form he showed in seeing off Ryan Palmer in a sensational back nine on Sunday last year, but plenty of players are lining up to take this year?s $1,080,000 winner?s cheque.

England?s Justin Rose (pictured) is in good form and is expected to challenge, alongside the likes of US Open champion Geoff Ogilvy, ever-dangerous Fijian Vijay Singh and Fed-Ex Cup leader Charles Howell III. Elsewhere, Masters champion Phil Mickelson will be hoping to get off to a fast start in 2007 after his form fell away tamely during the second half of 2006.

10,000 fans could potentially receive a free pair of golf shoes if a TaylorMade sponsored player makes a hole-in-one at the par-3 16th.

CONTENDERS: Vijay Singh, Justin Rose, Charles Howell III

BETTING GUIDE: For a betting tips from our expert Paul Krishnamurty click here