US TOUR:THE WACHOVIA Championship does not boast quite the elite field of last year, but an impressive line-up has gathered for the $6.4 million (€4m) event, which starts today.

Only one of the world's leading 30 players missed the tournament in 2007, but this year three of the top 10 are absent: injured defending champion Tiger Woods, South African Ernie Els and South Korean KJ Choi.

World number one Woods, out of action after undergoing knee surgery, will be missed, but the Wachovia still probably has the deepest field for a regular PGA Tour event this season.

The Quail Hollow course is among the players' favourite and the event represents an ideal tune-up for next week's unofficial fifth major, the Players Championship.

Officials were hoping for a firm and fast layout, but torrential rains have left the course soggy.

The greens, however, should be unaffected because of a special system that sucks the moisture out of the putting surfaces.

"The greens were perfect today," Johnson Wagner, a winner in Houston early this month, said on Tuesday. "They were a little softer than to be expected, but they were great, rolled fast, and I think they will firm right up.

"The fairways were a little soft but really no casual water out there at all. It was in great condition after all that rain yesterday."

World number two Phil Mickelson heads the field and the Australian Adam Scott will be one to watch, coming off Sunday's stunning victory at the Byron Nelson Championship, where he holed a 48-foot birdie putt at the third extra hole.

"Next week is important for me to keep the momentum going and keep pushing myself," Scott said. "Hopefully, I'll get it going and ride this thing out a little bit while I'm playing well and hope it's not just one week of good play."

Scott heads a 16-strong Australian contingent, and potential members of Europe's Ryder Cup team, Justin Rose, Luke Donald, Ian Poulter and Paul Casey are also in the field.

WACHOVIA CHAMPIONSHIP

Course:Quail Hollow Country Club, Charlotte, North Carolina. A private member club, founded by James J Harris in 1959.
Length:7,442 yards
Par:72
Prizemoney:$6.4m, $1,152,000 (€740,000) to the winner
Field:156
Defending champion:Tiger Woods
First played:2003
On TV:Setanta Golf, 20.00-23.00
Weather:Partly cloudy, 250C