Week 16 Power Rankings: Cox Classic

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Editor's note: Adam Wallace is a media assistant for the Nationwide Tour. Each week, Wallace will size up the field and provide his top five players going into the tournament, based on factors such as the player's strengths, the course setup, recent performances, etc. | POWER RANKINGS: RBC Canadian Open | Senior British Open

After being idle last week, the Nationwide Tour picks up play at the par-71, 7,145 yard Champions Run golf course in Omaha, Neb., for the Cox Classic. Last year, Ryan Hietala claimed his second Nationwide victory by defeating David Branshaw with a par on the first playoff hole.

Champions Run has statistically been one of the easiest courses on the Nationwide Tour in recent years. In 2006, it was the third easiest out of 33 courses played, in 2007, the second out of 34 and last year it was the sixth out of 33.

It's not a short course no matter how you slice it; however, the average drive last year was 307 yards. And despite the fact that only 61 percent of the field found the fairway, an astonishing 72 percent managed to find the putting surface.

The numbers show that the course was tougher last year. For the over-par scores in 2007, there were 928 bogeys and 109 double bogeys. Last year, there were 1,039 bogeys and 160 double bogeys. For the under-par scores in 2007, Champions Run was No. 1 in birdies (1,922) and eagles (81) of all the venues on Tour. Last year it was No. 3 in birdies (1,862) and No. 2 in eagles (82).

Look for scores to be really low this week. In the 13-year history of the event, the highest winning score was 1 -under.

Power Rankings: Cox Classic presented by Lexus of Omaha

Rank Player   Comment Kyle REIFERS Kyle knows how to go low. At the Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic presented by Samsung, he set a new Tour record. He was 10 under through a stretch of eight holes. He went on to tie for 12th. David BRANSHAW Branshaw put himself in contention on Sunday to win the Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic -- just one back with 13 holes to go. Despite not getting the win, he did tie for seventh, marking his first top-10 of the year. He was also runner-up in the Cox Classic last year. Jeff GOVE Nobody has scored more birdies this year than Jeff Gove. Through 52 rounds, he's had 202 birdies. He's made 12 of 14 cuts and has six top-25 finishes. Blake ADAMS Adams is the Tour's longest hitter, and he's playing a course that yields huge tee shots. He's going to have shorter yardages into the greens this week and he's T7 in putting. At the Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic, he finished second -- his best career finish. Michael SIM His most recent competitive round of golf was the final round of the U.S. Open where he played with Tiger Woods. Sim, No. 1 on the money list, tied for 18th at the U.S. Open and is one win away from earning the instant promotion to the PGA TOUR.