Fantasy Insider: HP Byron Nelson Championship

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In Monday's Power Rankings, I mentioned that TPC Four Seasons Las Colinas requires wind as a defense. This was never truer in 2009, when Rory Sabbatini established the tournament course record of 19-under 261. (That aggregate beats all 14 editions that included one round at Cottonwood Valley, which was a pushover for the touring pros and removed in 2008.)

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CROWNE PLAZA

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Notable Groups
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Choosing Sides

In 2009, the field capitalized on winds of a mere 5-10 mph all week in posting a scoring average of 69.68, its first under par since 2001. The wind machine cranked back on last year, with gusts of 30-36 mph on the weekend alone. As a result, the scoring average rose 1.11 strokes.

This week, gusts are already expected to hit 20-25 through Saturday, but could peak on Sunday. Meanwhile, the updated forecast is now calling for high temperatures in the mid-90s for the final three rounds.

Power Rankings Plus

11. Sean O'Hair ... He's emerged from an 0-for-5 skid with a pair of top 20s the last two weeks. He got hot with his putter at THE PLAYERS (seventh in putting), and then dialed in his irons at Colonial (T7 in greens hit). Four top 25s here in five starts, including last year's T12.

12. Jason Dufner ... Came home in 6-over 41 in his second round at Colonial and missed the cut by five, but he's been nails otherwise of late, leading the field in birdies in New Orleans and ranking first in greens hit at THE PLAYERS. Owns an 0-for-2 record here, but hasn't appeared since 2007.

13. Marc Leishman ... His sterling record in two starts here help (T8, 2009; T12, 2010), but I had him circled over the weekend since he started the final round at Colonial inside the top 10. A closing 76 (that included a quadruple-bogey 7) thwarted a run, but you cannot overlook the big picture. The Aussie shot 81-80 at TPC Sawgrass the week prior, and rebounded strong. Plus, he can be a beast in the wind.

14. Fredrik Jacobson ... Earns his keep with the putter, but he hits enough greens (71st on TOUR) to deserve this slot. Shot par or better in every round at Colonial, and ranked T7 in fairways, T23 in GIR and 26th in putting. Also 27th on TOUR in bogey avoidance.

15. Alex Cejka ... Sits 24th in fairways hit and 44th in greens, thus a rightful spot on your short list this week. Top 25s here the last two years; ranked T7 in GIR at the 2010 edition.

Power Rankings Distribution for Yahoo! (rank)

Group A ... Dustin Johnson (1); Nick Watney (2); Rory Sabbatini (3); K.J. Choi (4); Brian Gay (5); Matt Kuchar (7); Brian Davis (9); Marc Leishman (13)

Group B ... John Senden (10), Sean O'Hair (11)

Group C ... Jason Day (6); Charlie Wi (8); Jason Dufner (12); Fredrik Jacobson (14); Alex Cejka (15)

Dark Horse (Yahoo! Group)

D.A. Points (B) ... Course-history buffs will argue that he deserves an upgrade from Dark Horse, given that he finished third here in 2009 and T7 last year, but he hasn't posted a top 40 in his nine starts since breaking through for his first PGA TOUR victory at Pebble Beach over three months ago. He also hasn't posted a round in the 60s since opening Doral with a 68; that's 22 rounds back. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt on this track, but temper your expectations.

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Robert Allenby (B) ... Normally, when a tee-to-green game is at a premium, he wouldn't be a Dark Horse, he'd be in the Power Rankings. However, his best finish in his last four starts is a T40 in New Orleans, and he hasn't cracked the top 40 here in his last four appearances dating back to 2004. Still, ranked 44th in total driving and 24th in ball-striking, this is the kind of venue that could renew his fantasy value.

Jerry Kelly (C) ... While he hasn't posted a top-35 finish in his last seven starts, and hasn't broken 70 in his last eight rounds, he's still fifth on TOUR in fairways, 19th in scrambling and 23rd in bogey avoidance. Proven record of success on tight-driving courses and when the wind blows. Three top-11 finishes here over his last six showings since 2003 as well.

Justin Leonard (B) ... He hasn't posted a top 25 in his last seven PGA TOUR starts, but you cannot ignore the local native that has missed only one of 17 cuts at this event, and that matters in our world.

Blake Adams (B) ... Last year's co-runner-up here is his only top five on the PGA TOUR in 42 career starts, and he's coming off a season-best T16 Colonial. Owns all the tools when his creaky body cooperates. A superb flier this week.

Danger (Yahoo! Group)

Ben Crane (B) ... Uncharacteristic run of late, culminating with a pair of 75s at Colonial, where he missed the cut by 11 strokes. With a pair of top 10s in eight starts, TPC Four Seasons Las Colinas is one of the sites where he could regain form, but the trend is headed in the opposite direction right now.

Vijay Singh (B) ... As much as I'd love to endorse him, my confidence is low. He's been a great fit on paper in several events this year, and he's executed well at a few (three of which for top 10s), but he's evolved into a better long-term own. And the numbers bear it out. He's 37th in total driving and 34th in ball-striking, but 137th in strokes gained-putting.

Anthony Kim (C) ... Always a threat to impart some damage, but hasn't broken par in his last four final rounds, which dates all the way back to the Farmers Insurance Open in late January. And his T13 in Houston in early April is his only top-55 finish in his last 10 stroke-play starts.

Charles Howell III (C) ... Given that fantasy gamers know what they get here -- and have for years -- the fact that he has yet to post a top 30 in seven tries is enough to abstain. And he hasn't broken 71 in his last seven rounds dating back to the finale in New Orleans either.

Ricky Barnes (A) ... Has missed his last three cuts. That's his most consecutive since an 0-for-6 stretch in the second half of 2009. He's also had trouble avoiding the big number during his recent slide. Only cut made here in two starts was a T60 two years ago.

Medic! (Yahoo! Group)

Sergio Garcia (C) ... Withdrew after five holes of Monday's British Open qualifier due to an infected fingernail on his left hand. Former winner here has finished inside the top 20 in half of his 10 appearances, including his most recent in 2008 (T19).

Scott Verplank (C) ... Withdrew late from Colonial due to an unspecified injury. Of course, his left wrist has been bothering him for months, but I can't confirm that this is why he took the week off. Don't let it dissuade you this week though. He's a smart start given his record at this event and recent play.

Tom Gillis (B) ... Surprise! It was just one month ago that it was reported that he suffered a fracture in his L4 vertebra, and had talked about sitting out long enough to qualify for a medical extension. He's been sidelined since the Arnold Palmer Invitational in late March.

Jimmy Walker (C) ... His wife, Erin, told me that "his therapists found that his hips had shifted a bit and that was straining his back. Doing exercises to reposition hips/pelvis. He had a pain-free warm-up [last Friday and Saturday]." She added that Jimmy will play in next week's Memorial after his go in Irving this week. While he passed on Monday's British Open qualifier, he's still planning on competing in a sectional qualifier for the U.S. Open on June 6.

Richard S. Johnson (B) ... Withdrew during Monday's British Open qualifier. He tweeted, "Shoulder still soar [sic]." It's an injury with which he's been dealing for at least a couple of months now, ever since withdrawing from the Transitions Championship due to it.

Jeff Maggert (C) ... First start since withdrawing early from THE PLAYERS due to family reasons. Finished T8 here in 2009, but it's his only cut made in his last six appearances. Also without a top-35 finish in 13 starts this year.

Notable WDs (Yahoo! Group)

Brandt Snedeker (C) ... Finished T16 at Colonial, and then lost in a 6-for-1 playoff at the International Final Qualifying-America for a spot in the British Open on Monday.

Kevin Na (B) ... First time he's withdrawn after the commitment deadline and before a tournament since last year's Travelers Championship.

Angel Cabrera (B) ... Would have been making his debut at this event. The bright side is that he's felt healthy enough to play twice already since having surgery on May 3 to repair a small tear in his lower digestive system.

Spencer Levin (B) ... Qualified for the British Open at Monday's International Final Qualifying-America.

Tom Pernice Jr. (C) ... Would have gained entry as the second alternate, but he's taking a pass in favor of the Senior PGA Championship.

Rob Bolton is the freelance fantasy columnist for PGATOUR.COM. His views do not necessarily reflect the views of the PGA TOUR.