Power Rankings: Verizon Heritage

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Whew. What a week. Something for everyone in Augusta. While Phil Mickelson revels in his victory and we await word on when Tiger Woods will tee it up again, the Verizon Heritage will keep us occupied.

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As one of the shortest courses used (6,973 yards) and with some of the smallest greens the touring pros see all year (4,300 square feet), Harbour Town demands precision iron play. It ranked third-lowest in greens in regulation last year (57.07%).

It also sat inside the top-10 most difficult in terms of proximity to the hole in seven different yardage ranges from 50 to 250 yards. Putting is critical everywhere but it takes a backseat to GIR this week.

Other than a few seasonal winds, it's wall-to-wall vacation conditions on Hilton Head Island this week. Nothing but sunshine and highs in the 70s.

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Power Rankings: Verizon Heritage

Rank Player   Comment Matt KUCHAR Fared fine paired with Tiger Woods at the Masters, finishing T24. Has seven top 25s in 2010. Sits 12th in putting and 27th in greens in regulation. Also has a pair of top 10s at the Heritage - T7 in 2008, T10 in 2005. K.J. CHOI The other fella paired with Woods last week. It was such a bother that he finished T4 (as did Woods). Choi has six top 25s in 2010 and has not missed a cut in 10 starts. He's eighth in GIR and fifth in the all-around. First start here since 2001. Bo VAN PELT Leads the TOUR in total driving and sits 11th greens hit; that extrapolates to a No. 1 ranking in ball-striking. Has cashed in all four starts in Hilton Head, including a T13 last year and T10 in 2007. Has three top 25s this year. Vaughn TAYLOR Coming off the playoff loss at the Shell Houston Open, where he finished T1 in greens hit. He has three top 10s in eight starts this year. Also has two top 5s in five starts at Harbour Town - T4 in 2007, T3 in 2006. Brian GAY Defending champ limps in after missed cuts at Bay Hill and The Masters, however Harbour Town suits his game perfectly. He's first in driving accuracy, third in scrambling and ninth in putting. D.J. TRAHAN The Clemson product has had a solid 2010, with six top 25s, including three top 10s. Although he has just one top 25 in six starts at the Heritage, he currently sits seventh on TOUR in ball-striking and fourth in scoring average, making him impossible to ignore. Jerry KELLY Feeling good again, and playing like it. Placed T12 at The Masters, the third top 15 in his last five starts. Although he hasn't cashed here in the last two years, he posted top 10s in the previous two. Exuding confidence right now. Robert ALLENBY Despite the T45 at The Masters, the Aussie deserves a nod here based on his brilliant season. He's No. 1 in the all-around ranking and 14th in ball-striking. His record at this event is suspect, but his game has never been more consistent. Lucas GLOVER Another Clemson guy. Unlike Trahan, the reigning U.S. Open champion has started 2010 quietly, with just one top 10. However, Glover has three top 20s in his last six starts at the Heritage. Total comfort zone this week. Jim FURYK The 80-76=MC at The Masters isn't enough to dissuade me from sneaking him at Harbour Town. He's sixth in all-time earnings at the Heritage despite never winning the event. Consider this week as an opportunity for him to hop back on the horse.