Masters champion Bubba Watson will head a strong field as he looks to defend his Zurich Classic of New Orleans title starting Thursday.
The American world number four took out the event at the TPC of Louisiana last year, and will face an even greater test this time around.
Englishman Luke Donald, who again surrendered his world number one ranking to Rory McIlroy, is among the challengers.
Donald is still searching for his first Major win, and has struggled to recapture the same consistent form that saw him win two PGA Tour and three European Tour events last year.
Fellow top 10 players Steve Stricker and Justin Rose will also compete at the US$6.4million stroke-play event.
Stricker will be looking for his second win of the season on the PGA Tour, with the world number seven without a victory since taking out the Hyundai Tournament of Champions in January.
The outing will be Watson's first since winning a two-hole playoff against South African Louis Oosthuizen at Augusta on April 8.
"The field last year was one of the best ever. The fields are getting better and better here," Watson said.
American Webb Simpson, who lost to the long-hitting Watson in a playoff at the tournament last year, was a late inclusion for the event in New Orleans.
Several Major champions are in the field, including the likes of Ernie Els, Retief Goosen, Graeme McDowell and Keegan Bradley.
In-form Swede Carl Pettersson, winner of the RBC Heritage earlier this month, will also be a threat at the par-72 course.
After finishing tied for second at the Sony Open in January, Pettersson struggled before his runner-up effort at the Shell Houston Open and victory in South Carolina.
The finishing hole at the TPC Louisiana remains one of the toughest, a 589-yard risk-reward par five.
Watson will enter as favourite in a strong field as he looks to build on his Masters triumph.