Furyk: chasing first win of the season

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There will be a distinct absence of star names on show for this week's AT&T National at the Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland.

The likes of Phil Mickelson, Adam Scott and Geoff Ogilvy are all giving it a miss, leaving world number 12 Jim Furyk as the headline act.

Furyk has failed to hit the expected heights so far this season but remains a comfortable favourite with the bookmakers, who still respect the 38-year-old's blue-collar approach.

The Congressional provides a formidable test - the 7,278-yard, par-70 layout is one of the more difficult on the calendar and will host the US Open for the fourth time in 2011.

This event was held for the first time last year when South Korea's KJ Choi holed from a bunker at the penultimate hole on his way to a three-shot victory over Steve Stricker.

The world number 10's hopes of defending the title appear unpromising, his form has been in freefall recently with three missed cuts in four starts.

The only other member of the world's top 10 in the field is Stricker (ranked seventh), but he is another with question marks over his form having snapped a run of four free weekends with a tie for 29th at the US Open.

As is usually the case these days, the Australian challenge looks strong. Stuart Appleby, Robert Allenby and Rod Pampling are all well suited to contend.

Should Furyk's struggles continue, the home challenge is likely to come from Hunter Mahan - runner-up at the Travelers Championship two weeks ago - and Anthony Kim, who claimed a maiden win at last month's Wachovia Championship.