WGC-Bridgestone Invitational 2013: Top Storylines at Firestone Country Club

OK, it's not a major, but the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational is about as good as it gets outside of the big four tournaments.

Since it comes a week before the PGA Championship, golf fans are clearly going to see the best golfers in the world in top form. These players want to fine-tune their game, but they also want to tame the Firestone Country Club and pick up the 550 FedEx Cup points that go to the winner.

This tournament will be loaded with big names like Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, and here are the top storylines that will likely play out.

Which International Players Will Contend?

No fewer than 18 countries are represented in this field. The WGC-Bridgestone offers invitations to all Ryder Cup competitors and also brings in champions from events in Japan, Australia and South Africa.

While any one of a number of these top international players could come up with a top effort, make sure you keep an eye on Angel Cabrera of Argentina, Hideki Matsuyama of Japan and Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland.

Any of those three could compete with the top American favorites.

Can Keegan Bradley Match Last Year's Success?

About 52 weeks ago, Keegan Bradley came to Firestone and won the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

Bradley hasn't won a tournament since then. He has not played badly this year, but he hasn't been quite good enough to claim a championship. This might be a good time for Bradley to get back in the winner's circle.

He has the power to tame Firestone, and he certainly has the skill level in the short game to finish the job. Bradley has six top-10 finishes this year, and he has been as high as second in the Byron Nelson Championship. Look for a great effort here from Bradley.

Can Lee Westwood Break Through?

Lee Westwood certainly had a chance to gain his first major championship when he had the lead after the third round of the British Open.

Westwood has been close a number of times, but he has never won a major. He didn't two weeks ago, as his lead slipped away and Phil Mickelson stormed to the title.

Westwood is facing another dry spell in WGC events. He has played in 44 WGC events and has never won any of them. That's the most of any player on the PGA Tour. Westwood has six top-10 finishes this year and will need to be at his best on Sunday if he is going to take his first WGC event.

Can Snedeker Keep It Going?

When he's hot, he's hot. Brandt Snedeker showed earlier this year that when his game is in order, he's going to rise to the top of the leaderboard on a consistent basis.

In three straight tournaments during January and February, Snedeker finished second, second and first.

Could another hot streak be getting started? Snedeker won the RBC Canadian Open with a 16-under-par score of 272. There's no reason Snedeker couldn't have a similar effort at Firestone.

Phil's on a Roll

Phil Mickelson is the odds-on favorite to win player of the year honors. He was able to go across the Atlantic and win the Scottish Open and British Open in back-to-back weeks.

Mickelson has not played since picking up the Claret Jug, but his game has never been better. Instead of being the old go-for-broke Lefty, his game plan appears to have matured. While he still has the requisite guts to go for the big shot, he will think before he strikes, and he demonstrated at the British Open that he will temper that thought process when necessary.

Look for Mickelson to stay sharp in this tournament.

Tiger's Tournament?

The Bridgestone Invitational features the best golfers in the world. The only top-50 player who is not in field is Louis Oosthuizen, who is out due to injury.

However, this field of 73 needs to look out for Tiger Woods. Throughout his career, he has won the Bridgestone Invitational seven times. His last win in the tournament was 2009, but Firestone is one of his favorite courses, and CBS Sports calls him the overall favorite to win again this year.

Can McIlroy Make a Turnaround?

It has been a disastrous year for Rory McIlroy. He was the best player in the world a year ago, and the world rankings still have him at the No. 3 spot.

However, McIlroy failed to make the cut at the British Open, and he tied for 41st in the U.S. Open. Instead of dominating like he did last year, McIlroy is struggling in all aspects of the game.

While McIlroy may tell media members he is at Firestone to compete, he really doesn't have much of a chance to win. He is there to rediscover his game. If he can break par in all four rounds, that should give McIlroy the confidence to raise his game over the final months of the season.