Power Rankings: John Deere Classic

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Unlike with the precursors of the first two majors of the year, there are zero similarities as the John Deere Classic relates to the British Open. While Redstone plays as a prep for the Masters, and Muirfield Village or TPC Southwind helps U.S. Open qualifiers find a groove (depending on the host site), there is no Road Hole, Swilcan Bridge or anything "linksy" at TPC Deere Run.

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What the JDC does have is that now-famous charter flight to the U.K. This is the third year that the event has offered seats on the non-stop journey, all with the intention of enticing more of the game's elite to tee it up in the heartland of the U.S.

Since the par-71 TPC Deere Run began hosting in 2000, a winner has never finished worse than 16-under-par. That includes defending champion, Steve Stricker, who breezed to a three-stroke margin at 20-under 264. Large greens help negate the necessity to find the fairway, so the premium rests dually on greens in regulation and birdies. The tertiary motive is putting.

The tail-end of an active weather pattern could greet the field on Thursday, so the threat of a delay exists. Once it taillights, it will be dry for the remainder of the tournament. Seasonal high temperatures in the low-80s are forecasted. Winds will be strongest on Sunday, but a virtual non-factor anyway.

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Power Rankings: John Deere Classic

Rank Player   Comment K.J. CHOI He's making his first start here, and what a perfect fit. He's fourth in the all-around ranking. Also 10th in greens hit, 16th in birdie average, fourth in scoring average and T1 in proximity to the hole, as well as a stealthy 11th in bogey avoidance. Zach JOHNSON Comfort zone. The Iowan finished T2 last year, just his second top 25 in eight starts at this event. Placed T12 at the St. Jude, just before the forgettable U.S. Open effort (T77). Ranks 58th in greens and 35th in birdie average. Vaughn TAYLOR With a T9 at the Travelers and T11 at the AT&T National, he's earned seven figures for the seventh consecutive year. Sits 26th in greens and 40th in birdie average. In four starts at TPC Deere Run, he has two top 15s. Steve STRICKER Fourth start since returning from clavicle injury. The defending champion needs to rely on the his short game. He's 107th in GIR, but seventh in scrambling and first in scrambling from the rough. Co-owns course record of 61. Tim CLARK Making his third career appearance (T18, 2008; 2nd, 2007). Coming off T12 at the U.S. Open. Currently third on the PGA TOUR in fairways hit and fourth in putting, and shares first place in proximity to the hole with K.J. Choi. Jason BOHN Has two top 25s in his last three starts entering this week. Has cashed three of four times at the Deere, and is always a threat to go low. He's 11th in greens hit, 23rd in birdie average, 14th in putting and second in bogey avoidance. Bubba WATSON Would rank higher if this wasn't his first start since breaking through at the Travelers. He's ninth in greens hit, including first in GIR from lies off the fairway. Leads the TOUR in birdie average, sits 18th in putting and fifth in the all-around ranking. Carl PETTERSSON His solo sixth-place finish at the AT&T National secured his 2011 TOUR card, so the monkey is gone. He's third in putting and second in birdies or better on par 4s. Also finished fifth here in 2007. Matt JONES Has seven top 25s in 2010, including five in his last eight starts. He's 13th in the all-around, 41st in birdie average and 22nd in putting. Placed T5 here in 2009. Jones is trying to become the seventh first-time winner in the last 11 events. Charles HOWELL III While he's finished outside the top 40 in his last six starts of 2010, you cannot deny his strong record at TPC Deere Run, with four top 25s in as many starts dating back to 2000. He's also 28th in putting and 33rd in bogey avoidance.