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AKRON, Ohio -- Dustin Johnson was on the range at Firestone for an hour and was lucky if he hit more than a dozen shots.This would not be described as an intense practice session, for all the right reasons.It was Johnsons first public appearance since he left Oakmont with the U.S. Open trophy for his first major. He flew home to Florida that night, set the trophy on the kitchen table so it would be the first thing he saw when he came down the stairs and then headed to The Bahamas for a double celebration -- winning a major and his birthday. He turned 32 last Wednesday.Johnson doesnt always have much to say, but his smile on the eve of the Bridgestone Invitational said it all.I felt like Ive been playing really well all year and just havent been able to get a W, he said. It definitely came at a good time a couple weeks ago.And now its back to work.This is the third World Golf Championship of the year (for every tour but Europe), and because of the Olympics, it comes at strange time. The Bridgestone Invitational is two weeks after the U.S. Open and two weeks before the British Open.Johnson tees off in the penultimate group Thursday in a U.S. Open-winning trio with Jordan Spieth and Justin Rose.THE FIELD: The Bridgestone Invitational features a 61-man field, the smallest since only 39 players competed in 2001 when this WGC event was exclusively for current Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup team members.Blame that on the Olympics, and a clash between the PGA Tour and the European Tour.This week also is the 100th anniversary of the French Open, the oldest national championship in continental Europe. The European Tour, under new chief Keith Pelley, offered its members plenty of incentive to be in Paris -- and to not be in Ohio.Europe did not sanction this WGC. Prize money has been boosted slightly in the French Open, and Ryder Cup points have been boosted significantly. Plus, anyone playing the Bridgestone Invitational will not get any Ryder Cup points or credit for a start toward membership requirements.The result is no Rory McIlroy, Masters champion Danny Willett, Lee Westwood or Martin Kaymer.THE DEFENDING CHAMP: Shane Lowry made a bold decision to be at Firestone, where he got his first win in America last year.He is just outside the Ryder Cup standings in Europe, only 13 world ranking points away from Andy Sullivan for the ninth spot. It would help to take advantage of extra points available in France. But the Irishman chose to come to Firestone to defend his title.Coming off a tie for second in the U.S. Open, the Irishman is confident he can play well enough in the three remaining events on his schedule -- the Scottish Open, British Open and PGA Championship -- to make the team. If not, dont be surprised to see him add the Italian Open.THE ROOKIES: Of the 61-man field, 15 players are at the Bridgestone Invitational for the first time.Its an example of a growing list of young winners -- Justin Thomas, Daniel Berger, Emiliano Grillo and Smylie Kaufman to name a few -- and a few surprises.William McGirt had never been to a WGC event until he won the Memorial a month ago. Neither had Brian Stuard when he won in New Orleans. Kevin Chappell still hasnt won, but a pair of runner-up finishes to Jason Day in Florida (Bay Hill, The Players Championship) shot him up well into the top 50.The biggest surprise? Billy Hurley III, coming off his win at Congressional. He had never won on tour and was No. 607 in the world.GOING FOR THE DOUBLE: Adam Scott (Doral) and Day (Match Play) have a chance to win two World Golf Championships in the same year, a feat that has only been achieved by the best two players of this generation -- Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.Mickelson won at Doral and in Shanghai in 2009. Woods did six times.THE OLYMPIANS: Assuming there are no more dropouts because of Zika or any other concern in Rio -- and thats a big assumption -- only 13 players currently eligible for the Olympics are in the field at the Bridgestone Invitational. Adidas NMD Wolf Grey . Wilson hit Schenn from behind during Tuesday nights game in Philadelphia, earning a five-minute major for charging and a game misconduct. He has a phone hearing with the department of player safety, which limits any potential suspension to five or fewer games. Cheap NMD Online . -- Catcher Brett Hayes has agreed to a $630,000, one-year contract with the Kansas City Royals, avoiding salary arbitration. http://www.cheapnmdonline.com/wholesale-adidas-nmd-human-race-china.html . -- Team after team passed on Andre Ellington in the draft. Adidas NMD Factory Outlet .Y. - New Orleans forward Anthony Davis was chosen Friday to replace the injured Kobe Bryant in the NBA All-Star game that will be played in his home city. Pharrell Williams Hu NMD Sale . Perez, 35, posted a 1-2 record with a 3.69 earned-run average in 19 relief appearances last season. His season ended Aug. 9 due to a torn ligament in his left elbow. Perez joins infielder Andy LaRoche and catcher Mike Nickeas with minor-league agreements for 2014 that include invitations to attend spring training.Ryan Giggs could learn from Jose Mourinho in his quest to become Manchester United boss should the former Chelsea manager replace Louis van Gaal, says Gordon McQueen. Speculation around Van Gaals future as United boss has continued this week with his side continuing to languish outside the top four. The Dutchman has rubbished claims that out-of-work Mourinho has already been lined up by the clubs hierarchy to replace him at Old Trafford.Giggs has also been talked about as a potential long-term successor for Van Gaal, who plans to retire at the end of next season. However, Uniteds poor form means that Giggs may have to work under another manager before being handed the reins on a full-time basis. Mourinho has hinted that he is ready to return to work, with the Premier League his preferred option, and former United favourite McQueen told Sky Sports that he would be welcome in the North West, and could help another fan favourite develop into a United manager of the future.The doubt everyone has about him [Mourinho] is with his longevity, like United had with Sir Alex Ferguson, said McQueen, who won the FA Cup and made 184 appearances in seven years at United.Mourinho is a manager who has moved around a lot over the years, so wouldnt normally suit United. Louis van Gaal (left) is under pressure with Mourinho out of work Should he come, he would bring a winning mentality, and make the place a much happier club, compared to what we have just now.Mourinho will want to do his own thing in the transfer market, and stamp his authority on the club.Juan Mata will be wary if Mourinho comes in, as he has been sold by him before. Will Marouane Fellaini be regarded as a Manchester United player by Mourinho? Im not so sure. Quite a few players will be on their toes if he comes in. Mourinho and Man Utd A timeline of events since Mourinho left Chelsea [Jorge] Mendes will be heavily involved, as will Ryan Giggs - that will be part of the job, to keep Giggs involved.Giggs is so popular with the fans it will work in Mourinhos favour to keep him on and get fans on his side.I dont think he [Giggs] will go to another managerial job, he could learn from Mourinho. Giggs is so popular with the fans it will work in Mourinhos favour to keep him on and get fans on his side. Gordon McQueen Chelseas poor season wont affect him [Mourinho]. It would take a hell of a lot to knock Jose Mourinhos confidence.dddddddddddd Hell just look at his trophy cabinet and hell be fine.He has such a high opinion of himself, which as a manager is not necessarily such a bad thing.United have improved marginally of late, putting together a run of just one defeat in nine, with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward reportedly happy with the job Van Gaal is doing. James Cooper explains what Manchester Uniteds latest finance records mean. However, the 20-time top flight champions still remain six points behind bitter rivals Manchester City in their pursuit of a Champions League qualification spot. Conceding late goals in draws at Newcastle and Chelsea, and in the defeat at home to Southampton, has not helped matters.McQueen is not confident Van Gaal can oversee a late resurgence, and with the money the Dutchman has spent on the current crop of talent, he believes the United boss must be held accountable.Nobody is enjoying their football, and nobody is playing with a smile on their faces just now - which is down to Van Gaals style of play, McQueen added. Charlie Austin of Southampton scored the winner at Old Trafford I dont think he will turn things around, we wont finish in the top four, which will be a disaster in a league that has been really strange this season.West Ham, Watford, Tottenham - these are all teams over-achieving - and makes Uniteds poor performances that much worse.He has spent £250m, and someone has to be made responsible for that. The team he has sold is stronger than the team he has bought. 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