The tournament was moved from its regular position on the tour schedule due to numerous mitigating factors, among them television contracts and the 2010 Winter Olympics.

The event kicks off with the FBR/Xerox pro-am which has attracted such notables as Alice Cooper, George Lopez and Ray Romano. The tournament is being hosted by The Thunderbirds, a local charitable organization founded in 1937.

The tournament purse is $6 million dollars and 500 FedEx points are at stake.

Last year’s winner, Kenny Perry, is currently ranked sixth in the Golfweek/Sagarin power rankings. Perry had to scramble to victory last year, as he won on the third hole of a playoff, and the field looks equally daunting this year.

Other golfers that have committed to this year’s tournament include Y.E. Yang and Anthony Kim.

Some of the sponsor’s exemption may draw some notice as well. The golfer who was granted the final sponsor’s exemption is Sam Saunders, the grandson of golf legend Arnold Palmer.

Also, Martin Kaymer has gotten the Commissioner’s foreign exemption, and he is currently ranked fifteenth in the Golfweek/Sagarin power rankings.

If the tournament holds to form from last year, the toughest hole to play will be number eleven and the easiest hole will be the thirteenth. Be sure to watch the tournament on the golf channel, as another desert shootout appears to be looming.

Will he or won’t he is the question many are asking. If Tiger Woods plays, and that’s a big if he will be 4-1 odds.

There is a big group right behind Tiger that will go off at 8-1 odds. In this group will be Phil Mickelson, Kenny Perry, and the defending champ Angel Cabrera. Will Cabrera be able to find the magic this year, and can Kenny Perry get back into contention?

Going off at 12-1 odds will be Steve Stricker, Jim Furyk, and Geoff Ogilvy.

Maybe worth a shot at 20-1 odds, you can consider giving Chad Campbell, Stephen Ames, and Paul Casey a look. Longer odds fall with Anthony Kim, Padraig Harrington, and Henrik Stenson.

Still a couple months to go before all the greats tee it up at Augusta. One thing is for sure, everyone will be trying to spot a Tiger. If he isn’t there, it’s anyone’s guess who will be the favorite.