Strong field minus Tiger takes on soggy Wachovia

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Reuters) - 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 (3.3 million pound) event which starts on Thursday.

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 K.J. 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 which sucks the moisture out of the putting surfaces.

"The greens were perfect today," Johnson Wagner, a winner in Houston early this month, told reporters 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 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.