Power Rankings: Bob Hope Classic

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Figured it would only take three tournaments into the schedule to encounter a little inclement weather. The 2009 season was largely defined as the year of the spoilers in the majors, but Mother Nature finished a close second.

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Most of California is currently in the midst of a series of storm systems, and La Quinta won't be spared. The normally sun-splashed desert will take a good soaking through Friday. Thursday's play specifically could be halted. As if the field needed any more help in attacking the pins.

Last year the four courses were the four easiest (of 51 played) in all of 2009. This included the Nicklaus Course at PGA West, which played in excess of five strokes under par. Bermuda Dunes steps aside this week as La Quinta CC returns to the rotation, but it won't matter in terms of scoring.

This event is and has always been a shootout. The formula is easy: birdie chances. Don't confuse it for a putting contest. Someone will undoubtedly have the week of his life on the greens, but the majority will need to throw as much against the wall to see what sticks.

Here's how they rate in this five-rounder:

Power Rankings: Bob Hope Classic

Rank Player   Comment Chad CAMPBELL Showed some grit at the Sony by backing up a third-round 73 with a Sunday 66. Finished T9 at last year's Hope and won it in 2006. On paper, he should contend just about anywhere, but he jumps off the page in this field. Justin ROSE Positives aplenty: Sunday 64 at Sony. Switch to coach Sean Foley led to a sparkling second half of 2009, which has extended into '10. And he placed third here in last trip (2007). Charley HOFFMAN The '07 champ has finished in the top-20 here the last three years. With D.J. Trahan in '08 and Pat Perez in '09, the last three Hope winners were first in putts per round. You can't project when a putter gets hot, but Hoffman's track record speaks for itself. Ryan MOORE My No. 1 in the SBS rankings flirted with the lead at Kapalua, eventually finishing T6. He's missed the cut here twice in three starts, but also posted a T5 in 2008. With crisp irons the premium at the quartet at La Quinta, he makes a return cameo this week. John SENDEN Has cashed in all nine starts here, five for top-25s. Eclipsed $2-million threshold for the first time in his career in 2009. He finished first on TOUR in greens in regulation and should pick up right where fellow Aussie Robert Allenby left off at Waialae. Tim CLARK Three starts at the Bob Hope, two top-fives, including last year's T5. Notoriously streaky pro finished T25 at the Sony and is looking for his first PGA TOUR win. Flagsticks beware. Bill HAAS Five top-35s but zero top-15s in all five career appearances at the Bob Hope Classic. Still, this is the perfect tournament where an aggressive ball-striker like Haas should excel. Mike WEIR On the short list of guys that you might be surprised to see commit to this event, but Weir is a former winner (2003) and finished T3 last year. The Canadian is also a great rainy-day grinder. Justin LEONARD With Phil Mickelson extending his moratorium of this event, Leonard is the top money leader in the field. The $1.75 million he's earned here includes first place in '05 and runner-up in '08. John MERRICK Last year's runner-up was a first-round co-leader at the Sony Open in Hawaii before tumbling to a T25 finish. However, he hit a field-tying-high 57 greens in regulation (79.2%) at Waialae.