Week 16 Power Rankings: U.S. Senior Open

text size

Editor's note: Vartan Kupelian is the Champions Tour Insider and a PGATOUR.COM Contributor. Each week, Kupelian 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. | POWER RANKINGS: Buick Open | Nationwide Children's Hospital Invitational

Argentina's Eduardo Romero survived a final-round bogey train last year to win the U.S. Senior Open at Winged Foot by a comfortable four shots over Fred Funk.

The scene shifts this year to Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel, Ind., for the U.S. Senior Open, the third Champions Tour major of 2009 and the second in successive weeks.

Loren Roberts, fresh off a playoff victory at Sunningdale's Old Course in Berkshire, England, in the other Senior Open Championship, and Romero lead a field poised to produce more of the major magic that has been so prevalent in golf this year.

Roberts is paired with Tom Lehman and Peter Jacobsen for the Thursday and Friday rounds. Romero will play alongside Fred Funk and amateur Buddy Mariucci for the first two rounds.

This week's Champions Tour Power Rankings for the U.S. Senior Open:

Power Rankings: U.S. Senior Open

Rank Player   Comment Bernhard LANGER A final-round 65 moved him up to fourth Sunday but ended a two-tournament winning streak for the top-ranked player on Tour. A four-time winner this year looking for his first major triumph of '09, he continues to lead the Charles Schwab Cup points list. Loren ROBERTS He came from behind with a closing 67 to earn his second Open Championship title. Roberts' latest victory was his second of the year, plus he has seven top-10s and is second to Langer on the Charles Schwab Cup list and money list. Fred FUNK He reached the playoff at Sunningdale but was eliminated on the first extra hole when par wasn't good enough against the birdies by Roberts and Mark McNulty. Funk has produced five top-7 finishes in his last six events, including three runner-ups. Tom WATSON A solid 67 and improved putting at Sunningdale have Watson eager for the U.S. Senior Open, where he will be the sentimental favorite. His ball-striking has been outstanding (scoring average 69.88) so if the putting doesn't let him down, all systems are go. Larry MIZE Another golfer who is on a very impressive run. In his last six starts, Mize, runner-up at the Senior PGA Championship, has finished in the top 10 each time. Mize has put together a solid statistical resume with top-10 rankings in five categories.