Firestone specialist Woods confirms entry for next week

LOS ANGELES, July 28 (Reuters) - Five-times winner Tiger Woods officially added his name to the entry list yesterday for next week's WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, a tournament he has almost made his own.

The world number one will be bidding for his third successive victory at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio, and his 14th individual title in a World Golf Championships event.

Woods, who is taking this week off after tying for 12th in the British Open at Carnoustie on Sunday, will also be aiming for his fourth PGA Tour triumph this season.

For the 31-year-old American, the prestigious WGC events, which bring together the world's top 100 players, are a close second to the majors.

''You've got some of the best players in the world playing and you're playing one of the greatest golf courses that we play all year,'' Woods said of the 7,360-yard, par-70 South Course.

''It's a golf course that could host a major if they ever wanted to. I think it's one of the neat courses we play all year and it gets like a major championship feel to it.'' Asked if he had to pick one course where he had to win and Augusta National, venue for his four Masters victories, was unavailable, Woods told reporters last year: ''It would probably be Firestone.'' The 12-times major champion boasts a remarkable track record at Firestone, having triumphed there five times in the last eight years and never finishing worse than fourth.

Australia's Geoff Ogilvy, winner of last year's U.S. Open, summed it up best: ''This is his benefit tournament. He seems to win here every year he comes.'' Woods won last year's title by edging out fellow American Stewart Cink at the fourth extra hole.

The leading 50 players in the world rankings on Monday automatically qualify for the third WGC event of the year, along with the winners of this week's Canadian Open and the European Tour's Players Championship, if not already eligible.

Among on those on the brink of qualifying are Argentina's Andres Romero, who climbed from 114th to 51st in the rankings after finishing third at the British Open, South African Charl Schwartzel (52nd) and Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez (53rd).

Reuters BJR VP0620