Week 4 Power Rankings: Michael Hill NZ Open

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Mar. 10, 2009

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. | MORE: World Golf Championships-CA Championship Power Rankings | AT&T Champions Classic Power Rankings

The Nationwide Tour remains on New Zealand's South Island this week for the third and final leg of the Tour's visit to Australia and New Zealand. An addition to the Nationwide Tour schedule this year, the Michael Hill New Zealand Open was first played in 1907. It was won by New Zealander Arthur Duncan. The first non-New Zealand player to win was South Africa's Bobby Locke in 1938. Four World Golf Hall of Fame members have won the event: New Zealand native Bob Charles, Peter Thomson and Kel Nagle of Australia and Locke.

With all that said, let's see who Lagarde thinks can succeed in the 2009 HSBC New Zealand PGA Championship.

Power Rankings: Michael Hill New Zealand Open

Rank	Player		Comment
		Michael SIM	He's on a streak of three consecutive top 10s and has threatened to rack up a victory in each. One less-than-stellar round each week has kept him out of the winners circle.
		Danny LEE	New Zealand amateur and reigning U.S. Amateur champ had a strong bounce back after missing the Moonah Classic cut with a tie for seventh. He's showing he has plenty of game to be a factor on this level.
		Steve ALKER	The New Zealander was searching for a place to play last week until he parlayed a sponsor's exemption and a solid, 72-hole performance into a much-needed victory. It looks like he's headed to America after the swing concludes Down Under this week.
		David SMAIL	He was part of the impressive Kiwi 1-2-3 last week, finishing tied for second. A final-round 74 derailed his title hopes at Moonah Links, where he also had a top 10. He has earned enough in his two starts to gain Nationwide Tour membership in '09 if he so chooses.
		Gavin COLES	The Angry Ant made nine birdies in the final round Sunday. Eliminate two costly holes -- he made a triple and a double -- in his final-round 68, and he would have lapped the field.