Power Rankings: Wyndham Championship

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The Wyndham Championship is the finale of the PGA TOUR's regular season. Sedgefield Country Club hosts for the third time.

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Job No. 1 is to hit fairways on the Donald Ross design, which neatly brings 2010 into a full circle. When the new channel grooves were introduced at the top of the year, the objective was to elevate the importance of finding the short grass. And while the jury is still deciding if the change has achieved its goal, there is no question that driving accuracy is the priority this week.

Of the 11 splits used to rank proximity to the hole on approaches from the rough, Sedgefield ranked inside the top-20 most difficult in all of them. It was inside the top-10 most difficult in six measured distances. Compare that to approaches from the fairway where only one range (50-75 yards) was inside the top 20 (T12). Because greens are slightly smaller than average, slope considerably and run-off, approach shots will need some bite to hold.

The secondary mission of the week is putting. the classic track ranked T10 in the category a year ago. Ten of the top 11 on the final leaderboard ranked inside the top 20 in putts per round. It's unusual for greens in regulation to take a back seat at any time, but Sedgefield is a first-shot golf course.

Just like last year's edition, which was twice interrupted by inclement weather, this week's tournament includes a risk of rain and boomers, forecast for Thursday and Sunday. The high temperatures will hover around 90 degrees and winds are expected to be light.

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Power Rankings: Wyndham Championship

Rank Player   Comment Ryan MOORE En route to his maiden win on TOUR here a year ago, he was T2 in fairways, T8 in greens, 8th in putting and T2 in birdies. Finished 2nd at Ross-designed Aronomink six weeks ago. Currently ranks 24th on TOUR in fairways and 65th in putting. Woody AUSTIN Entering on the coattails of two strong finishes. Placed T4 at The Greenbrier, where he was fifth in putting. Then posted a T10 at Turning Stone, where he ranked T15 in putting and T5 in birdies. Riding a string of nine consecutive rounds under par. Richard S. JOHNSON Earns the lofty spot here based on recent play. Since winning the Nordea Scandinavian Masters, finished T21 at The Greenbrier and T8 at Turning Stone, where he led the field in fairways hit and placed seventh in putting. Michael SIM Before missing the cut at the PGA, he finished T3 at Turning Stone to lock up his 2011 TOUR card. Led field at Atunyote in putting and was T1 in birdies. Ranks 21st in putting overall, and first from 20-25 feet. Sedgefield was fourth-hardest in that range in 2009. Carl PETTERSSON The 2008 champ is himself again, particularly after his win at St. George's three weeks ago. Also placed T24 at the PGA Championship. Ranks third on TOUR in putting, first in three-putt avoidance and fourth in birdies or better on par 4s. Sedgefield is a par 70. Jonathan BYRD Four top 25s in his last five starts, including a T10 at Turning Stone, where he closed with a 63. Had three eagles at Sedgefield last year en route to a T24. Finished T16 in fairways and T19 in putting. Alex CEJKA Four top 10s in his last seven starts worldwide, including a T3 at Turning Stone, where he was T12 in fairways and T1 in birdies. Ranks 18th in driving accuracy on TOUR. Finished T44 at last year's Wyndham, but ranked T16 in fairways and T9 in putting. Jerry KELLY Disappointing missed cut at Whistling Straits in his home state, but finished T3 at Turning Stone, where he was T7 in fairways and second in greens hit. Finished T9 in his only go at Sedgefield in 2008. Currently 22nd in driving accuracy. J.J. HENRY Runner-up at Turning Stone, where he ranked sixth in putting and closed with a bogey-free 63. Placed T4 at Sedgefield in 2008, ranking T14 in fairways and 16th in putting. Hitting nearly five percent more fairways than a year ago. Brian GAY Sitting third on TOUR in fairways hit and 16th in putting, he's the poster boy for this week's profile. Finished T48 in the 2008 Wyndham Championship, but was undone by a final-round 72.