Power Rankings: Turning Stone Resort Championship

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Aug. 2, 2010
By Rob Bolton, PGATOUR.COM Fantasy Columnist

MORE POWER RANKINGS: WGC-Bridgestone Invitational

For the first time in its four-year existence, the Turning Stone Resort Championship is a FedExCup event. Its migration from the Fall Series into early August is accompanied by much warmer weather, which might get a few votes if you asked those in the field which new dynamic is most welcome.

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Atunyote Golf Club plays as a par 72 at 7,482 yards, but all hitters can compete in pleasant conditions. Not since 2007 has the weather cooperated. Under sunny skies and temperatures in the mid- to-upper 70s that week, Steve Flesch recorded a two-stroke victory over Michael Allen. Flesch led the field in greens in regulation (64), and 10 of the 11 guys inside the top 10 on the scoreboard finished inside the top 25 in GIR that week.

Given that this is a resort track, and Mother Nature will have the heat turned on, Peter Lonard's course-record 63 is in jeopardy. Flesch's tournament record 18-under 270 is also under fire. It's all about the birdie chances for yet another week.

A mild threat of inclement weather is forecast through Friday. Damp turf would benefit the longest hitters, but rain is not a guarantee. It's going to be sticky on Thursday, with a high in the upper 80s, but it will cool into the upper 70s for the remainder of the tournament. The most challenging breezes will be on Friday.

Power Rankings: Turning Stone Resort Championship

Rank	Player		Comment
		Charles HOWELL III	His T9 at Greenbrier is his first top 10 in five months. Better yet, he played the tournament without a bogey or worse, and missed just six greens in regulation. He finished T3 here in 2008 and T18 in '09.
		Brendon DE JONGE	His solo third at The Greenbrier is his sixth top 10 of the year. He was T2 in birdies last week, too. Placed T13 at Turning Stone in 2007. Currently ranks ninth on TOUR in the all-around, 12th in greens and 19th in putting.
		Vaughn TAYLOR	Placed T18 here in 2007, T15 in '08 and 2nd in '09. He's highest among non-winners on the all-time money list in the event. Had recent T9-T11-6th stretch ending at the John Deere. Ranks 31st in greens and 26th in ball-striking.
		Stephen AMES	First-timer at Turning Stone. Placed T21 at Greenbrier, where he was T13 in greens in regulation and swallowed just four holes over par. Ranks 18th on TOUR in GIR, 13th in birdies or better on par 4s and second in average distance of putts made.
		Matt BETTENCOURT	Including his victory in Reno, he's ranked outside the top 40 in greens in regulation in each of his last three starts, yet has the win and two other top 20s. Currently riding a par-or-better streak of nine rounds. Cannot ignore his hot hand right now.
		Bryce MOLDER	Three weeks after a T25 in the AT&T National, placed a season-high T4 in Canada, his sixth top 10 of the season. Not a long hitter, he'd prefer dry conditions, but he's 14th in scoring average, 34th in putting and seventh in birdies or better on par 4s.
		Chris STROUD	Notoriously streaky, if not a procrastinator. Simply finds a way to get the job done when absolutely necessary. Enters with five consecutive cuts made, including a season-best T9 at Greenbrier, where he carded just three holes over par.
		Charley HOFFMAN	Before his T83/MDF at Greenbrier, went T7-T4 at the John Deere and Canadian, respectively. Finished T5 at Turning Stone in 2007. Ranks eighth in birdies or better on par 5s. He's 24th in total driving and 17th in the all-around.
		John MERRICK	Brutal record here is minimized by bad weather the last two years. En route to a T3 in Reno two weeks ago, he ranked T9 in greens in regulation on the tiny surfaces at Montreux. Ranks 20th on the PGA TOUR in GIR and sixth in ball-striking. Sleeper watch.
		John SENDEN	Solid record here, with a T3 in 2007, a T27 in '08 and T5 last year. Currently fifth in greens hit and 12th in ball-striking. Has recorded top 25s in two of his last three starts, including a T21 at The Greenbrier.