The tournament is played on the Magnolia and Palm Courses in rotation over the first two days, before the players battle it out over the weekend on the Magnolia Course.

There have been no changes to either course this year but the conditions are a bit different. Tournament Director Kevin Weickel said: "This is the driest conditions we've had in 15 years in the build up to the tournament and we're getting roll on the fairways."

Remember though that courses in Florida never play hard and fast due to the general terrain, high water level and the large amounts of humidity in the atmosphere.

So although there is some run on the fairways there is still a lot of moisture out on the course particularly in the mornings but there should be less advantage to the longer hitters this week than in previous years.

Weickel believes the most important factor allowing players to go low at this event is the Bermuda greens. "They are rolling pure and with only very minor and subtle undulations players can hole a lot of putts if they get the line right."

A relaxed and refreshed Justin Rose said: "They stand up very well to the traffic and putt well all day despite being a little grainer in the afternoon."

Trevor Immelman, who has been enjoying family life and admitted he is a little short of tournament practice at the moment, said: "The greens are holding."

With the courses in excellent shape and easy to reach pins over the first few days players will go low.

As in previous years the winning score should be just over the 20-under mark.

Last year the Palm Course played as one of the easiest on tour averaging 4.2 shots under par, over two shots lower than the Magnolia Course. Don't be surprised if players go very low on the Palm Course over the first few days and a good score on this course is vital to a player's winning chance.

However the key to winning this week is how the players perform on the back nine of the Magnolia Course. Those in contention will play it three times and this is where the tournament will be decided on Sunday.

The 10th is a short par 5 which has yielded 35 eagles in the last three years. Last year it gave up 166 birdies and played over a half shot under par.

The easiest hole on the course is a vital one for players to build momentum. A birdie is imperative and eagle very possible.

The 11th, 12th and 13th are also amongst the easiest holes on the course ranked 12th, 13th and 16th respectively. They all offer excellent birdie opportunities and those players that take advantage can shoot up the leaderboard.

The 14th is the key hole on the back nine. At 592 yards it is reachable in two but with water in front of the green bogey is a real possibility and players are faced with a big decision. Those chasing the leader who are too greedy will see their challenges falter and if the leader is not aggressive enough he can easily see a lead reduced or eradicated.

The par 3 15th has a heavily sloping green from back to front and an uphill putt gives a good chance for birdie but a long downhill putt brings three putts into play.

The 16th is the last really good chance for birdie, at only 450 yards players will be firing in with a wedge.

The 17th and 18th holes are very testing ranked 3rd and 2nd most difficult on the course.

They are both intimidating driving holes, with danger on both sides, requiring a long second shot to a raised green.

I would be very surprised to see someone finish as well as Lucas Glover did last year. Simply holding on and finishing with two pars should be good enough to win.

It may seem like just another pro-am at the tail end of the golf season but next year this event will take on much more significance. It will be the final event of the Fall Finish in the restructured 2007 PGA Tour season and the last chance for players to secure their playing privileges for 2008.

Next week there is one more tournament for players to finish in the top 125 of the 2006 money list and retain their job for next year. Players such as Mathias Gronberg, Rich Beem, Brian Bateman, Bubba Dickerson and Brent Geiberger are all on the brink between the huge pay checks of the PGA Tour and nickel and dime life of the driving range coach. They will have extra motivation to play well this week.

Others may find extra motivation in trying to win the Fall Finish Prize. Tiger Woods leads with 200 points but Eric Axley, Troy Matteson, Brett Quigley, Justin Rose, Ben Curtis and Davis Love III all have a realistic chance of picking up some bonus cash.