AKRON, Ohio – Former winners Vijay Singh and Phil Mickelson will approach this week's PGA Championship at Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, in buoyant mood after delivering strong performances at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

Fijian Singh overcame an erratic display with his putter to clinch his first victory in a World Golf Championship event on Sunday while Mickelson was close to his best before fading over the closing holes.

In the absence of injured American world number one Tiger Woods, the defending champion, Singh and Mickelson are among the leading contenders for the fourth and final major of the year.

American left-hander Mickelson, winner of the 2005 title at Baltusrol, has been listed by British bookmakers William Hill as the tournament favourite at 10/1.

Singh, champion at Sahalee in 1998 and at Whistling Straits in 2004, is one of five players backed at 20/1.

Irishman Padraig Harrington, who successfully defended his British Open title at Royal Birkdale last month, has been listed as a 16/1 chance to triumph at Oakland Hills Countray on the top issues, visit: africa.reuters.com/ )

(Writing by Randy Fabi; Editing by Tume Ahemba/James Jukwey)