Power Rankings: The Greenbrier Classic

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Jul. 28, 2010
By Rob Bolton, PGATOUR.COM Fantasy Columnist

Fittingly, as "Caddyshack" celebrates its 30th anniversary, it's Groundhog Day in late July. From one historic gem to another. After the touring pros grappled with St. George's Golf and Country Club, a classic track that played as a par 70 (34-36) at just over 7,000 yards, they migrate to The Old White Course at The Greenbrier, a classic track that will play as a par 70 (34-36) at just over 7,000 yards.

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However, unlike St. George's, which featured five par 3s, Greenbrier's host course has the customary quartet of short holes, one of which is the 18th. Until now, only East Lake Golf Club, site of THE TOUR Championship, ended with a par 3. Designed in 1914 by C.B. Macdonald and Seth Raynor, The Old White Course is the oldest track on the PGA TOUR. (Riviera Country Club, host of the Northern Trust Open, opened in 1926, and held the distinction before the TOUR signed on for a six-year stint in West Virginia.)

To most in the field, it's yet another learning experience, but the requisite skills are nearly identical to last week's test. Distance off the tee will be irrelevant, placing the premium on distance control with irons and greens hit. Putting plays the 1a-role of the week. If greens are soft due to rain, accuracy off the tee will be overrated, but fairways are a little wider this week anyway. What you see below is nearly all chalk -- guys that are scoring well of late that don't kill it off the tee.

Active weather should abate by the weekend, so a delay or two before the cut is possible. Saturday and Sunday look great, and high temperatures will creep into the 80s throughout. Winds will be their testiest on Thursday, but moderate at worst.

Power Rankings: The Greenbrier Classic

Rank	Player		Comment
		Matt KUCHAR	Four top 10s in five starts, including T4 in Canada. No. 1 in the all-around ranking, 14th in greens hit, 27th in putting and seventh in adjusted scoring average. Also seventh in earnings and FedExCup points, highest among non-winners this year. Is this the week?
		Nick WATNEY	Watney was originally slotted in this position on Monday when the Power Rankings were posted, but he withdrew from The Greenbrier Classic on Wednesday. See bottom of this chart for the next player in line.
		Jeff OVERTON	Extended hot play with a T11 at St. Andrews. Despite reputation as a long hitter, he's 10th in birdies or better on par 3s and 17th on par 4s. Also 29th in greens hit and 23rd in putting. Continues to climb list of best without a PGA TOUR victory.
		Brendon DE JONGE	The Virginia Tech product has four top 15s in his last six starts, including T7 at the John Deere and T13 at the Canadian Open. He leads the TOUR with an active streak of nine consecutive rounds under par. Sits 18th in greens, 27th in putting and first in birdies.
		Charlie WI	He's been a machine lately, entering on a solo 4th-T15-T4 stretch. Leads the TOUR with an active streak of 13 consecutive rounds of par or better. Ranked in the top 10 in fairways hit and top 20 in GIR over his last two starts. Also ninth in scrambling in 2010.
		Charley HOFFMAN	Finished T7 at the John Deere and T4 at the RDC Canadian Open, where he was T3 in birdies and T4 in putting. Overall, he's eighth in the all-around, 23rd in putting, 21st in birdie average and third in pre-cut scoring average.
		J.B. HOLMES	Hardly fits the profile, but could manhandle the Old White Course, especially since the fairways are generous. Placed fifth at the AT&T National, where he was T3 in greens. Finished T14 at the British. Ranks 19th in the all-around, fifth in adjusted scoring average and 13th in scrambling.
		Jim FURYK	In a bit of a rut, but playing fairly close to home, and at No. 5 in the Official World Golf Ranking, is the field's highest ranked. Missed the cut at St. Andrews, but sits 18th in scrambling, fifth in scrambling from the rough and 17th in adjusted scoring average.
		Greg CHALMERS	With a T4 in Canada, the lefty secured his 2011 PGA TOUR card, and that came two weeks after a T12 at the John Deere. He's 18th in putting, fifth in scrambling and third in sand saves. Also has eight consecutive rounds of par or better running.
		Trevor IMMELMAN	With a T23 at the British Open and T13 at the Canadian, they mark his first consecutive top 25s since the 2008 FedExCup Playoffs, and might indicate that his wrist is mended. Finished 18th in putting, T13 in birdies and T1 in eagles at St. George's.

NEXT: With Nick Watney withdrawing, you can now move Kevin Na into the top 10. Under par every day in Canada en route to a T13, Na's on a bit of a roll at the moment. He ranks sixth in scrambling. And with eight of the last 14 winners on the PGA TOUR having been first-timers, perhaps this is Na's week.