Week 1 Power Rankings: Panama Digicel Champ.

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Editor's note: Dave Lagarde has been a PGATOUR.COM correspondent for all things Nationwide Tour since 2005. Each week, Lagarde will size up the field and provide his top 5 players going into the tournament, based on factors such as the player's strengths, the course setup, recent performances, etc. | MORE: PGA TOUR Power Rankings

Panama Golf Club is traditionally one of the toughest on Tour. The par-70 layout has ranked in the top 10 in each of the first five years and in the top four in four of those years. The course played to a scoring average of 72.959 last year and was ranked as the toughest among the 33 courses on Tour. Panama GC has no hole ranked among the toughest 15 on Tour, but six of the holes do rank among the top 35 in difficulty.

The tournament's 36-hole cut has been over par in each of the first five years, with last year's 5-over cut the highest so far. Last year's cut was the highest on Tour since a 6-over-par cut at the 2006 LaSalle Bank Open. The cut has been 4-over, 3-over, 2-over, 3-over and 5-over since the tournament started, and the 36-hole leader has been at 6-under or 7-under in four of those five years.

With all that said, let's see who Lagarde thinks can succeed on the 2008 Nationwide Tour's toughest track.

Power Rankings: Panama Digicel Championship

Rank Player   Comment Gavin COLES The diminutive Aussie has made it to the PGA TOUR three times via the Nationwide Tour, so he's no stranger to the competition. Coles also excels on courses where par is your friend. Panama GC, where only four players bettered par in 2008, certainly qualifies. Hunter HAAS The Tour's best barbecue chef has cooked up some success in Panama, where he tied for second in 2007 after taking the lead into the final round. Haas was oh-so-close to graduating to the PGA TOUR in 2008 and hopes to carry over his success. Scott DUNLAP It's hard to ignore the defending champion, who won by a shot despite a 1-over 71 in the final round. That said, there has never been a successful defense in Nationwide Tour history, but there is a first time for everything. Miguel CARBALLO The Argentine slumped in 2008 after a solid 2007 season where he scored his only Nationwide Tour victory. It came in Panama where he made up lots of ground with a sizzling final-round 65. He's obviously comfortable on this track. Garrett OSBORN This second-year player gained valuable experience in his rookie season and displayed the propensity for going low. Has the kind of game that lends itself to success on this circuit if he can curb his tendency to shoot at every pin.