Power Rankings: Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial

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May. 24, 2010
By Rob Bolton, PGATOUR.COM Fantasy Columnist

Contested here since 1946, Colonial Country Club owns the longest run of any host course of a non-major on the PGA TOUR schedule. (Augusta National has hosted the Masters since 1934.)

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And although it's the classic anchor of the Texas Swing, the track is a pushover for the touring pros. In fact, it was the fourth-easiest par 70 in all of 2009, finishing -0.814 strokes to par. Even LaCantera GC (also a par 70), site of two 60s, was more difficult a year ago (-0.448) in its final year as host of the Valero Texas Open.

Shot-shapers and ball-strikers are rewarded at Colonial, and experience is a requisite for success. Given its moderate length and propensity to surrender low scores, pars will often feel like net bogeys. The fellas can get aggressive, a dynamic that tailors itself to the hotter players.

The weather forecast shapes up similarly to what the field experienced the last two weeks. This is to say that while the threat of rain and thunderstorms is minimal, it all depends on exactly where the energy wants to stir. It should hit 90 degrees every day and stay dry on the weekend. Morning tee times will be greeted with the best conditions as usual, and winds will likely freshen each afternoon.

Power Rankings: Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial

Rank	Player		Comment
		Phil MICKELSON	The 2008 champ didn't defend last year when his wife, Amy, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Phil won here in 2000 as well and sits No. 2 in all-time earnings at the event. Needs to win to usurp Tiger Woods atop the Official World Golf Ranking.
		Tim CLARK	First start since his PLAYERS win. In last two starts here, he's finished an aggregate one stroke off the lead. Failed to close the door in regulation and lost in a playoff to Steve Stricker last year. Sits first on TOUR in fairways hit and second in putting.
		Ben CRANE	Blazing hot right now -- T4 at THE PLAYERS, T7 at the Byron Nelson. Finished T1 in birdies at TPC Four Seasons. Currently 10th on TOUR in greens hit and second in birdies or better on par 4s. Has two top fives in five career starts at Colonial.
		Matt KUCHAR	Rested since finishing T13 at THE PLAYERS, where he led the field in greens (80.56 percent). Cashed all three times at Colonial, including a solo ninth in '08. Currently second in the all-around ranking and scoring average. First in bogey avoidance.
		Scott VERPLANK	Enters on coattails of a T13 at THE PLAYERS Championship and T5 at the Byron Nelson. Finished T1 in greens hits at TPC Four Seasons (75 percent) and 19th in putting. Placed T7 here in 2007.
		Jim FURYK	With a sterling record here -- six top 10s in 14 starts, including a T9 last year -- he deserves higher billing, but he's coming off a T47 at THE PLAYERS, where he closed 73-73-73 due to a cold putter.
		Fredrik JACOBSON	Finished one stroke back for a solo second at the Valero Texas Open, which came on the heels of a T10 at THE PLAYERS. Had just three holes over par at TPC San Antonio, and played his final 39 holes bogey-free. Two top 20s in five Colonial starts.
		Sean O'HAIR	Regaining consistency, with a T22 at THE PLAYERS and T12 at the Byron Nelson. Has a quiet six top 25s in 12 starts this season. En route to a T18 here last year, finished second in greens hit (59 of 72).
		Jeff OVERTON	Has posted a solo second (New Orleans) and a T2 (Byron Nelson) over his last four starts. This is just his second start at Colonial, but he placed T13 here a year ago. Gunning to become fourth first-time winner in the last five weeks.
		Davis LOVE III	Coming off a T17 at Quail Hollow and T4 at THE PLAYERS. Finished T19 in greens, T15 in putting and T5 in birdies at TPC Sawgrass. Although never a winner here, DL3 has four career top fives at Colonial, including a pair of runner-up finishes.