Furyk the man to stop

Jim Furyk starts as the clear favourite for the Bank of America Colonial tournament which starts in Fort Worth, Texas, tomorrow – despite missing the cut last week.

Furyk and David Toms are the only two members of the world’s top 10 competing in an event which had the attention of the sporting world on it three years ago.

That was the week when Annika Sorenstam became the first woman to compete on the US PGA Tour in almost 60 years.

And although she did not make it past the halfway stage it was her presence - rather than Kenny Perry’s victory – which gave the tournament a place in the history books.

Perry triumphed again last May, but the 45-year-old returned from knee surgery only last week and it will be remarkable indeed if he can win the title for a third time. He will be seeking a 10th tour win, six of his nine so far having come since turning 40.

Furyk, winner of the Wachovia Championship two weeks ago and second on his previous start, can take over from Masters champion Phil Mickelson at the top of the US money list with a top-three finish.

That would surprise nobody, but with a player not even in the world’s top 200 - Brett Wetterich – lifting last week’s Byron Nelson Championship, every one of the so-called lesser lights will tee off believing it could be their week.

Much though he would like it not to be the case, Britain’s Justin Rose fits into that category.

The 25-year-old, who finished last year so promisingly, has had just two top 10s in 13 starts this season to be 85th on the money list and 101st in the world.

While there looks to be room for improvement in all aspects of his game – he lies 79th in driving distance, 126th in accuracy, 81st in greens in regulation and 49th in putting – Rose knows he does have the game to break through in the States.

It is just a matter of putting four rounds together and in the absence of so many stars this week he will be aware it is a big opportunity.