Players on the bubble need strong finish

While players like Kenny Perry, Anthony Kim, Phil Mickelson and Stewart Cink have already locked up their positions in the field for the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational with their successful 2008 seasons, other notable names will need a strong finish this week in order to move or stay inside the top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking to qualify for this year's event at Firestone Country Club's South Course in Akron, Ohio, July 28-Aug. 3.

On Monday, July 21, players within the top 50 automatically earn a spot in the Bridgestone Invitational field. Those who will almost certainly qualify through their current position include Aaron Baddeley (ranked 22nd) and Robert Allenby (No. 30), South Africa's Tim Clark (No. 36) and 2007 PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year Brandt Snedeker (No. 37). Others who are closer to the bubble are Rod Pampling (No. 44), Oliver Wilson (No. 45), Niclas Fasth (No. 46), Richard Green (No. 47), Paul Casey (No. 48), Frederik Jacobsen (No. 49) and Rocco Mediate (No. 50).

Camilo Villegas (No. 52) and Jeff Quinney (No. 53) are among the players of note who are on the outside looking in, but could improve their position with a good finish this week at the British Open.

In addition, anyone who moves into the top 50 between July 21 and July 28 will round out the field and earn a last-minute trip to Northeast Ohio.

Players currently qualified are primarily tournament winners from International Federation of PGA Tour events (with a certain Strength of Field Rating), playing members of the 2007 U.S. and International Presidents Cup Teams or playing members of the 2006 U.S. and European Ryder Cup Teams (see attached listing). Those players will be joined by winners of eligible events between now and the Bridgestone Invitational, as well as those inside the top 50 in the World Ranking, as described above.

Tickets to the Bridgestone Invitational can be purchased by calling the Championship Office at 1-877-942-4849, logging on to www.worldgolfchampionships.com or visiting Acme Fresh Market.