Power Rankings: Shell Houston Open

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No other event on the PGA TOUR schedule makes more of an attempt to mimic another like the Shell Houston Open. Embracing its slot immediately in advance of the Masters, the Tournament Course at Redstone Golf Club acts as a scrimmage for touring pros that will be traveling to Augusta National next week.

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The Tournament Course has hosted since 2006. Despite its potential length of 7,457 yards, the premium is on hitting greens in regulation. Putting surfaces are larger than average, so guys piling on birdie opportunities should shine as usual. Water comes into play on 10 holes and four of the par 4s are under 400 yards, but it is unlikely that the tournament will be won with a birdie at either of the final two holes. The 17th (489 yards) and 18th (488 yards) ranked sixth and first, respectively, in the 2009 edition of this event.

Mother Nature toyed with last year's SHO, and she could complicate it again this week. Dry conditions and sunshine will give way to a slight chance of rain and thunderstorms on Friday and into Saturday. And you can never rule out the impact the wind might have at this event.

Power Rankings: Shell Houston Open

Rank Player   Comment Hunter MAHAN Sparkling record here since 2006, with three top 15s in four starts, including a T11 last year, when he ranked first in greens hit. And he's already a winner this year, having claimed his second PGA TOUR title in Scottsdale a month ago. Paul CASEY The 2009 champ has six finishes inside the top 11 in seven starts worldwide this year, including a T4 at the Honda and T6 at Doral. His combination of power, precision and putting (especially) is better than what it was a year ago. Bona fide threat to repeat. Ernie ELS Only the law of averages bumps him off the top spot this week. He's overcome expected fatigue the last three weeks, and a potential back-nine implosion at Bay Hill, but no one is more dominant right now. He's played Redstone once, placing T14 in '09. Padraig HARRINGTON Finished T3 at Doral and T8 at Copperhead despite closing 72s at each. He's played and cashed at the SHO every year since the move to Redstone in 2006, but has not finished higher than T24. Given his on-target ramp-up, that should change this week. Fred COUPLES Enters with three straight victories on the Champions Tour in tow. Finished T3 on fumes at least year's SHO and T4 in 2008. It's a homecoming of sorts for the former Houston Cougar, who always feels comfy at this event. Martin KAYMER His T3 at the WGC-CA Championship was a personal best on American soil. Aside from a tendency to miss fairways off the tee (not a problem this week), he is the total package from tee-to-cup. Eligible for Special Temporary Membership if he wants it. Anthony KIM Righting the ship, with a T22 at Doral and a runner-up at the Honda. As long as he's striking his irons, Redstone sets up so well for his game that the course record (63, Adam Scott, 2008) might be in jeopardy. Kim placed T26 here in 2009 and T5 in '07. Matt KUCHAR He missed the cut in his only other start at Redstone (2007), but he's in a new league now, with three top 3s on the board in '10. He leads in scoring average, birdie average and par-4 performance. He's also 29th in greens in regulation and sixth in putting. Kevin STREELMAN Probably the guy that should have won in Puerto Rico. In fact, a final-round 73 resulted in a T3 on the island. He bounced back with a T7 at Bay Hill, where he was T4 in greens hit. Placed T14 in 2008 in his only previous appearance in Houston. Bubba WATSON Doesn't crack this list if he didn't finish co-runner-up here in 2007. His distance off the tee is advantageous, and he's 18th on TOUR in greens hit. Missed the cut at Bay Hill but has a pair of top 3s already in 2010, including a solo third at the Transitions.