Greenbrier Classic starts in difficult position

The deck is stacked against this week's Greenbrier Classic becoming a favorite stop for big names on the PGA Tour even though the first-year tournament will draw a colorful field that could produce some exciting golf.

The reason is the FedEx Cup schedule. No top player will skip next week's WGC-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club in Akron, with its no-cut, big-money format. The following week is the year's fourth major, the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wis. Just two weeks after that is the first of four FedEx Cup playoff events in five weeks.

A player who participates in all of those tournaments is looking at six tournaments in eight weeks -- and seven in nine weeks if he is participating in the Ryder Cup. That makes this week's event in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., an easy one to pass up. It isn't a reflection on the sponsor or organizers. It's just the reality of the PGA Tour schedule at this time. Regardless, the event will showcase a historic golf resort that was rescued from demise and will make it as well known as Pebble Beach was during the U.S. Open.

Jim Furyk and Matt Kuchar are the only top-30 players in the world entered for the Greenbrier. Even so, fans should be treated to some low scoring on a historic golf course by a field that will include Kenny Perry, Sergio Garcia, Davis Love III, John Daly, Justin Leonard and Ricky Barnes.

With seven of the 12 par 4s on the Old White Course, which is acting as host for the event, being 440 yards or shorter, scores could go real low and it wouldn't be all that surprising with par being 70 that a round in the 50s is possible. The greens, with lots of undulations and bumps, will be the biggest hurdle for the players because the fairways are generous and well-suited for resort golf.

Information from GolfObserver.com and ESPN.com contributed to this post.