Big hitting seems set to be one of the key components needed to challenge at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am this year, which suits defending champion Dustin Johnson just fine.

Heavy rain shortened the event to three rounds 12 months ago, with the TaylorMade golf clubs user pulling out all the stops to beat Mike Weir by four shots.

And the weather is also potentially going to play a pivotal role in determining this year's leaderbaord, with Johnson getting a small soaking during a practice round for the event.

However, the 25-year-old comes into the tournament fully prepared, having shared third place in the Northern Trust Open, which was the most recent PGA Tour event to be played.

Johnson said: "I really like this place. I feel real comfortable with the conditions. When wet this place plays pretty long.

"The yardage isn't very long, but I think playing 16 today I was the only person in our group that got there in two, and it's a par four. It's playing very long."

Johnson led early on in the Northern Trust Open, but a third-round 74 hindered his chances and he eventually finished behind Steve Stricker and Mizuno golf irons user Luke Donald.

The American faces a tough challenge if he is to defend his title, with Weir, who plays with a TaylorMade Tour Burner golf driver, looking to continue a fine record in the tournament.

He has racked up seven top-ten finishes in his last ten starts in the event, while Retief Goosen and Brandt Snedeker are in form with their golf equipment and have started the season consistently.

Meanwhile, Callaway golf equipment user Phil Mickelson will be looking to climb back to number two in the world rankings after an ordinary start to 2010.

A rare visit to India is the next stop on the European Tour, with players preparing to take out their golf irons for the Avantha Masters.

The tournament is co-sanctioned with the Asian Tour and the Professional Golf Tour of India, with a number of the country's emerging golfers being given the chance to show their skills on a bigger stage.

However, they will have some tour regulars to contend with, including three-time European Tour event winner Jeev Milkha Singh and Shiv Kapur.

According to the European Tour website, Kapur said: "It's very exciting to have a tournament of this stature in India. For the younger players to be playing in a European Tour event is a really big deal.

"The European Tour brings us a lot of exposure, from media and TV pictures going out to many different countries and it will be very good for the growth of the game.

"This week is a showcase for us and a great chance to put India on the golfing map and that is a big step."

Darren Clarke, Rafael Cabrera-Bello, David Howell and Shane Lowry are others hoping that making the trip to India will reward them with a European Tour victory.

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