Western Am starts Tuesday: 5 players to watch

Perhaps the game's hardest event to win, the Western Amateur kicks off Tuesday from The Beverly Country Club in Chicago.

Jordan Niebrugge hopes to defend against what very well may be the most impressive field of the year in the grueling format, which includes 72 holes of stroke-play followed by a 16-player match play field.

The event will feature 50 of the WAGR's top 100 players, including 21 of the top 37. Suffice to say, there's a good chunk of talent to be seen next week at the Western Amateur.

As we prepare to follow the action at The Beverly Country Club, here's a look at five players to watch and contend with Niebrugge:

Mark Anguiano : The Cal State Fullerton golfer hopes to make it a two-for in marquee events this summer. He recently won the Sahalee Players title and reached the final 16 of the California Amateur.

Brian Campbell : He won the NCAA's Central Regional medalist and was ninth at the NCAA Championships. A tie for fourth place at the Trans-Miss has the local favorite -- he plays at Illinois -- ready to make a splash.

Bryson Dechambeau: After competing in the Palmer Cup, DeChambeau has continued his solid play. Most recently, the SMU star reached the quarterfinal round at the U.S. Public Links.

Doug Ghim: Another local favorite, Ghim has the chance to make his presence known in a big way. After earning co-medalist honors last week at the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship, the Illinois native and highly-regarded Texas signee is among the hottest players entering the event.

Gavin Hall: After bursting onto the scene last year by qualifying for the U.S. Amateur, the New York native's stock has only risen. He had a solid year at Texas and started hot at the Porter Cup. Could the Western Amateur be Hall's marquee win?