Week 23 Power Rankings: Utah Championship

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Editor's note: Ceri Mobley is a PGATOUR.COM site producer for the Nationwide Tour. This week, Mobley will size up the field and provide her top five players going into the tournament, based on factors such as the player's strengths, the course setup, recent performances, etc.

The Nationwide Tour heads West this week to Utah for the Utah Championship presented by Utah Sports Commission. Last year, Brendon Todd ran away with the lead at Willow Creek Country Club; while six players tied for second place, the group of runners-up was six shots back.

Willow Creek was one of the easiest courses on Tour in 2008 -- ranking 27th out of 33 -- which is why Todd was able to fire four rounds in the 60s for a 22-under finish. The course record is 63 (held by 11 players), so expect the field to go low this week as they chase one of the seven remaining trophies in the 2009 season.

Last year's champion was top five on the 2008 Tour in scoring average, putting average, putts per round and scrambling, so look for someone who knows how to make it happen around the greens to excel at Willow Creek.

Power Rankings: Utah Championship presented by Utah Sports Commission

Rank Player   Comment Henrik BJORNSTAD Still seeking his first win, Bjornstad has climbed to 13th in "THE 25" off the strength of six top-10s this season. He has only made one start here, which was a missed cut, but he's playing too well to go that route. Garrett WILLIS Also looking for his first win this year, Willis is coming in strong with two top-15s in his last three starts. He won this event in 2005, too, so that's a pretty deadly combination. Brendon TODD The defending champion has struggled on the PGA TOUR this season (seven consecutive missed cuts, 13 total), but it's hard to overlook someone who won by a whopping six strokes. Chris TIDLAND The Wichita Open winner has a stats sheet that should work well for him in Utah -- fourth in scoring average, fourth in scrambling, ninth in ballstriking. Craig BOWDEN The veteran player hasn't done much here since his tie for second in the inaugural event, but he's been solid this year with seven top-20s, including his last two starts.