Power Rankings: Timberlake Shriners Hospitals Open

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Justin Timberlake. Blackjack. Fall sunshine. And plenty of birdies.

The Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open is set up again at TPC Summerlin, a wide expanse west of the Las Vegas Strip that is home to a mammoth complex of homes and courses.

The tournament has benefited from its spot directly after The Presidents Cup -- plenty of big names have not played since the BMW Championship, and Anthony Kim phoned in his commitment last week before the matches at Harding Park.

Las Vegas is the home of first-time winners on the PGA TOUR -- Jim Furyk (who's teeing it up this week) broke through here in 1995 as a fresh-faced 25-year-old with a funky swing, and Tiger Woods did the same thing the next year. In recent years, that trend has continued with Phil Tataurangi, Andre Stolz, Wes Short Jr., Troy Matteson, George McNeill and Marc Turnesa.

TPC Summerlin was the second-easiest course on TOUR in 2008. The field racked up 95 eagles -- no other event had more than 60 -- and the course also gave up the most birdies. With temperatures in the mid 80s with light winds and sunny skies, expect more of the same this week.

Power Rankings: Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open

Rank Player   Comment Hunter MAHAN Mahan is fifth on TOUR in birdie average and fifth in par-4 birdie percentage. He is known for extended hot streaks -- he shot 63-64 on the weekend earlier this year at the Travelers Championship, and he fired three 62s in 2007. Anthony KIM Kim's wild driving isn't going to hurt him too bad at TPC Summerlin. More importantly, Kim is No. 1 on TOUR in birdie or better conversion percentage -- he birdies 35 percent of the time when he hits the green in regulation. Jim FURYK Furyk is very hard to handicap for this course because he typically sets his schedule for the biggest events, which usually involve difficult courses. The last time he finished 20 under or better in a tournament was the 2006 Buick Open, where he tied for second. Matt KUCHAR The good news: He's coming off a victory at Turning Stone Resort and made only two bogeys in 72 holes while finishing second at TPC Summerlin last year. The bad news: His third-round 71 -- with two double bogeys -- cost him the victory here last year. Tim CLARK Clark played some gritty golf in the Presidents Cup last week, and he ranks in the top third on the PGA TOUR in all approaches ranging from 100 yards to 275 yards. The fact that he hasn't won yet might make a future episode of History's Mysteries. Bo VAN PELT He fired a 65 on the final day at Turning Stone Resort to tie for seventh, and he's seventh in total birdies. He shot 27 under earlier this year at the Bob Hope Classic. More evidence of a career year? He's 18th in all-around ranking. Steve MARINO Marino tied for 47th here last year after shooting 69-70 on the weekend. Marino is one of the best players on TOUR from 100 to 125 yards, which explains why he decimates short par-4s and long par-5s. Victory No. 1 would hardly be a shocker. Charley HOFFMAN Hoffman would have had a shot at winning here last year had he putted halfway decent (he had 31 putts in three of the four rounds). Still, he tied for 15th, and his length (tee shots, not his hair) makes him a lock (again, no pun intended) to contend this week. Chad CAMPBELL Campbell hasn't enjoyed the best 2009, but most of his problems stem from his putting problems from the 10-to-15 foot range. Campbell finished third here last year and knows the course well from his UNLV days. Ryan MOORE Moore has a lot of things going for him this week: He's another UNLV alum, and he is rested after barely missing the cut at Turning Stone Resort. Only a final-round 73 kept him from a top-10 at TPC Summerlin last year.