Power Rankings: AT&T National

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The PGA TOUR professionals are spoiled by innumerable perks wherever they go, but this week's test is a special treat.

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Aronimink Golf Club will serve as host to the AT&T National for two years before Congressional returns in 2012. The world's best golfers don't visit Donald Ross designs often, instead saving his magnificent tracks like Pinehurst, Oakland Hills, Oak Hill and Inverness for majors and Ryder Cups. (Ross was also involved very early in the design of East Lake GC, annual host of THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola, but he redesigned Tom Bendelow's original layout, and Rees Jones followed with his own update in 1994.) Until this week, the only Ross-original that has hosted a non-major in recent years is Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, N.C. (In 2011, Plainfield CC will host The Barclays.)

Given that Aronimink is a classic par 70, distance off the tee is irrelevant. Precision iron play (i.e. don't go over the greens) and taut scrambling (due to shaved banks and chipping areas) are the priorities this week. And since the course is new to most in the field, it opens the door for a hodgepodge leaderboard and surprise winner.

For the first time in weeks, weather will be a non-issue. Sunshine and gradually warming temperatures into the upper-80s are on tap. Winds will be light.

Have an enjoyable and safe Fourth of July!

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Power Rankings: AT&T National

Rank Player   Comment Jim FURYK Has never won three times in a single season, but he hasn't had two wins this early either. Currently seventh in accuracy off the tee and 10th in scrambling. Coming off T16 at the U.S. Open and T10 at the Memorial. Ryan MOORE Ranks second in total driving and eighth in ball-striking. Placed T5 at the Memorial, then T33 at Pebble Beach and finally T13 at the Travelers. Broke through for his first PGA TOUR victory at Ross-designed Sedgefield at last year's Wyndham Championship. Ben CRANE Hit 24 greens at Pebble Beach, but still needed 67 putts and missed the cut. Returns to comfort zone of Bentgrass at Aronimink. He's 21st in ball-striking, 28th in scrambling, eighth in putting and first in birdies or better on par 4s. Ricky BARNES One of just four with a TOUR-high six top 10s this year, including a T5 at the Travelers. Solid across the board statistically, too: 45th in greens hit, 25th in scrambling, 21st in scoring average and a sturdy 30th in bogey avoidance. Fredrik JACOBSON Coming off a T15 at the St. Jude, where he was second in fairways hit and sixth in putting. Best known for his iron game, but his greenside proficiency also deserves praise, as he's third on TOUR in scrambling. Scott VERPLANK Playoff loss at the Travelers was his third top 5 in four starts. While he didn't win, don't forget that clutch putt on the 73rd hole that answered Bubba Watson's stuffed approach. Verplank is 12th in fairways, fourth in putting and 10th in birdies or better on par 4s. Tiger WOODS The defending champ won't have to blast drivers, so his more reliable irons and putting will shine. But even without the late start in '10, Aronimink's characteristics bring all of the shorter hitters into the mix, thereby crowding the pool of potential contenders. Brendon DE JONGE A forgotten 18-hole co-leader at the U.S. Open, he responded to a fade-T33 with a T9 at the Travelers, where he posted a career-tying low 63 in the second round. Currently 21st in the all-around ranking, 16th in greens hit and fourth in proximity to the hole. Brian GAY After missing the cut at the U.S. Open, his putting let him down at the Travelers (readjustment to Bentgrass, perhaps?), but he ranks fifth on TOUR in that category. Also first in fairways hit, eighth in proximity to the hole and fourth in scrambling. Alex CEJKA After his T8 at the U.S. Open, he jetted to Munich and posted a T3 at the BMW International Open, polishing it off with three straight 67s. Sneaks onto this list based on recent play, but sits 19th in fairways hit, 40th in greens and 13th in proximity to the hole.