Week 18 Power Rankings: Boeing Classic

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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.

Tom Kite rallied from a two-stroke deficit to win the Boeing Classic in 2008. It was Kite's second win at TPC Snoqualmie Ridge and 10th Champions Tour title.

Kite, who made three birdies in a four-hole stretch at TPC Snoqualmie Ridge, shot a final-round 6-under 66 for a 14-under 202 total, two better than Scott Simpson.

Kite will defend his title coming off a tie for 11th at last week's JELD-WEN Tradition, where he shot 70-70-71-69 -- 280. Kite also won the Boeing Classic in 2006 in a playoff against Keith Fergus.

Thanks to a hot putter, Kite avoided a playoff last year with three birdies on the back nine. He claimed the lead with a birdie four on the 15th hole, made pars at the next two holes and sank a winning birdie at the 18th hole.

This week's Power Rankings for the Boeing Classic:

Power Rankings: Boeing Classic

Rank Player   Comment Fred FUNK He's still soaring with another outstanding finish in a Champions Tour major last week, as he shared fifth at the JELD-WEN Tradition with Loren Roberts and Tom Watson. He stretched his lead in the Charles Schwab Cup points list and is second on the money list. Loren ROBERTS He's a member of the Champions Tour's Big Three and has been stellar since April 1 with seven top 6 finishes in eight starts, including a major triumph at the Senior Open in England. Roberts has moved to No. 2 on the Charles Schwab Cup points list. Bernhard LANGER The last two major championship appearances have been disappointing with a T22 at the U.S. Senior Open and T17 at JELD-WEN. But his standing is validated by four victories and his No. 1 position in the All-Around statistical category. Larry MIZE In his typically quiet manner, Mize has become a factor. He's No. 4 on the Charles Schwab Cup points list with nine top 10s -- that's tied for second. Finished fourth last week at JELD-WEN and continues to excel statistically - he's tied for No. 3 on the All-Around list. John COOK The timing is excellent. He's coming off a fine performance at JELD-WEN, where he lost a playoff to Mike Reid, and going to a course where he's got some positive vibes (third in 2008). He's No. 1 on the Champions Tour in greens in regulation.