Week 7 Power Rankings: Athens Reg. Foundation Cl.

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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 five players going into the tournament, based on factors such as the player's strengths, the course setup, recent performances, etc. | POWER RANKINGS: Verizon Heritage

The Nationwide Tour begins a two-tournament stay in the Peach State with this week's Athens Regional Foundation Classic in the Athens suburb of Bogart, Ga. Next week, players will travel across the state to Valdosta for the South Georgia Classic.

Last year, Robert Damron won his first Nationwide Tour title, doing it in come-from-behind fashion, making up five strokes on the final day to defeat Greg Owen in a one-hole playoff. Damron is the event's first U.S. winner. In 2006, Australia's Paul Gow won the inaugural tournament, followed in 2007 by Scotland's Martin Laird.

This week's host, Jennings Mill Country Club, ranked ninth of 33 in difficulty last season with an average score of almost one stroke over par. There were 32 eagles, 1,469 birdies, 4,759 pars, 1,307 bogeys and 227 double bogeys throughout the week.

With all that said, let's see who Lagarde thinks can succeed in the 2009 Athens Regional Foundation Classic.

Power Rankings: Athens Regional Foundation Classic

Rank Player   Comment Michael SIM There's no reason to get off this horse now. He's solidly established himself as a Player of the Year candidate, and it's only April. Martin PILLER Thinking along the same line, this rookie has missed just one cut -- like Sim -- and has shown he has the game to compete at this level and likely beyond. His time will come if he continues to put himself in contention. Matt EVERY It's been feast or famine with this talented sophomore. Six events: Three top 25s, including a T4 at Stonebrae. But he's missed three cuts, too. He's looking for a carryover from Stonebrae now that the Tour has moved closer to Stone Mountain. Vance VEAZEY He finished a solid fourth on this track a year ago; there's no reason to think he won't have success again. When you're No. 2 on the money list, you try harder. Jay WILLIAMSON This old war horse has dropped down from the PGA TOUR with many of his peers. He knows what it takes for success out here.