2014 Bridgestone Invitational: Trip To Akron An Annual Rite Of Intense PGA Tour Summer Schedule

Rory McIlroy laughs while answering a question following Tuesday’s practice round at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio. McIlroy won the Open Championship two weeks ago for his third major victory. (Photo: Matt Gajtka)

AKRON, Ohio – Since it runs almost year round, the PGA Tour season has its necessary ebbs and flows, but the tide is about to come in.

Starting this week at Akron’s iconic Firestone Country Club, the world’s best pros will face top competition for two solid months, with the World Golf Championships’ Bridgestone Invitational leading into the PGA Championship, the four-week FedEx Cup playoffs and the biennial Ryder Cup before the end of September.

Although the unseasonably cool weather for Tuesday’s practice rounds lent an odd feel to the usually-sweltering tour stop, the guys on the historic South Course still knew the pace of the season is about to heat up.

“There’s a lot of big tournaments left this year, a lot of golf left to play,” said Rory McIlroy, who earned his third career major victory two weeks ago in Liverpool, England at the Open Championship. “I really look forward to this week. I think this is one of the best courses we play all year.

“Guys just enjoy coming here and playing. It’s a good test.”

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McIlroy toured the 7,400-yard, par-70 track Tuesday in a media-friendly group that included 2012 Bridgestone winner Keegan Bradley and Rickie Fowler, the only player to finish in the top five of the season’s first three majors.

Amidst answering questions about what he’s done with the Claret Jug and his growing status in the sport, McIlroy reiterated his goals for the upcoming homestretch.

“I’ve obviously had a bit of time to reflect after the Open and everything,” said the 25-year-old native of Northern Ireland. “I just decided I wanted to move on and move forward. There are a lot of things I still want to achieve. I want to move on and start by playing well this week.”

Jim Furyk would also prefer to stay in the present, as he saw a three-stroke final-round lead melt away in last week’s RBC Canadian Open. Tim Clark snatched the trophy with a remarkable back-nine 30, keeping Furyk winless since September 2010.

By edging Furyk in Quebec, Clark earned the final spot in the 76-man Bridgestone field. Joining him will be fan favorites like Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, Ernie Els, world No. 1 Adam Scott, reigning U.S. Open champion Martin Kaymer, Masters champ Bubba Watson, Fowler, Bradley and eight-time Bridgestone winner Tiger Woods.

That impressive marquee reinforces that the season has reached its most competitive – and grueling – stretch.

“Right now everyone’s trying to pace themselves,” Furyk said. “I’m going to be playing eight of nine weeks through the Tour Championship. I realize this is a big event, one I like, but I’ll get in, get out, get my work done. I’ll be very focused on what I’m doing but do it in a shorter period of time than if it were March or April.”

Pennsylvanian Jim Furyk hits a chip during Tuesday’s practice round at Firestone Country Club. Furyk has a terrific track record in the Bridgestone, although no wins yet. (Photo: Matt Gajtka)

Furyk said Firestone’s traditional hole layout reminds him of his boyhood days as the son of a club pro in various Pennsylvania cities. His results in Akron certainly demonstrate a certain comfort level: the 44-year-old has nine top 10s in 15 starts in the event, including runner-up finishes in 2001 and 2012.

“I’ve always enjoyed this golf course,” Furyk said. “I’ve said it a billion times here. It’s kind of like where I grew up. Back-and-forth type of course, old school, old style. I’m disappointed that I haven’t won here…it’s one of those that I definitely would like to win before my career’s over.”

Brendon Todd’s PGA Tour career is closer to its beginning than Furyk’s, but he had similar thoughts on Firestone. Todd, a 29-year-old from Peters Township, won the HP Byron Nelson Championship in May and is now eighth in the FedEx Cup standings and 40th in the World Golf Ranking.

“I’m a big fan of old tree-lined courses and this is definitely a classic,” said Todd, who will make his Bridgestone debut Thursday afternoon. “It’s playing long right now because it’s soft, so I’m hitting driver on every hole, but I love the challenge and I’m very excited about this week.”

The Bridgestone presents one of the strongest fields of the season – even including the four majors. In order to gain entry, a player must meet at least one of the following criteria: a) be ranked in the top 50 in the world, b) win a PGA or European Tour event over the past calendar year, c) have played in the previous year’s President’s Cup, or d) win the premier event on one of the other top-level world golf tours.

Since the establishment of the current tournament format in 1999, only one Bridgestone winner hasn’t claimed a major at some point in his career. Prior to that, greats like Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Raymond Floyd and Ken Venturi also collected victories in Akron.

Simply put, quality bears fruit at Firestone, giving this Midwestern monster a reputation matched by few venues worldwide.

“This is a great golf course,” Clark said. “This is a course that’s stood the test of time.”

Zac Weiss contributed to this report.