Power Rankings: Memorial Tournament

text size

The PGA TOUR makes its annual migration north this week, where the touring pros are again greeted by the demanding Muirfield Village GC. It played as the most difficult par 72 of all non-majors in 2009, at +1.425 to par.

Related

Send Bolton an e-mail

Jack Nicklaus-designed tracks reward power and precision off the tee, but the challenge rises closer to the hole. Muirfield Village ranked seventh-most difficult in greens in regulation last year (58.89%). It was 12th-hardest in birdies or better on par 4s (13.58%), and ranked as the most difficult track in proximity to the hole from 50-75 yards (20'8").

Proficiency in these categories, including total driving, is imperative this week. As is experience. A rookie has never won this event.

Even with a field of 120, there is a reasonable chance that inclement weather will suspend play at some point. The first threat is forecast for late afternoon on Thursday. The risk reenters the equation on Saturday. Seasonable temperatures will yo-yo 80 degrees throughout. Winds are projected to be strongest on Thursday and Sunday, but moderate at worst.

RELATED: Medical extensions | Reshuffle list | Major qualifiers | Rookie watch

Power Rankings: the Memorial Tournament

Rank Player   Comment Ernie ELS The '04 champ is fourth on the all-time money list here. In 16 starts, he has 10 top 15s and one missed cut. He's 19th in birdies or better on par 4s, and fifth on par 5s. Before the T34 at the BMW PGA, he was T3 at the Valero Texas Open, placing T2 in greens hit. Phil MICKELSON His missed cut at Colonial was set up by poor driving, which is a no-no there. In terms of escapability, there is a greater margin of error off the tee at Muirfield Village. He leads in birdies or better on par 5s, and sits ninth in proximity to the hole from 50-75 yards. Robert ALLENBY Making his first start since the impressive runner-up at THE PLAYERS. Currently No. 1 in the all-around ranking, 16th in total driving and eighth in ball-striking. Mild sleeper with just two top 10s in 13 career starts here. Kenny PERRY The three-time Memorial champ enters after three straight top 25s, including at Colonial, where he finished T1 in fairways hit and second in greens. Ranks second on TOUR in total driving and sixth in ball-striking. Matt KUCHAR Despite the hiccup at Colonial (T56), he's money at Memorial. Finished T13 here in 2007, T10 in 2008 and T5 last year. Currently 18th in total driving, 14th in birdies or better on par 4s and 14th in proximity from 50-75 yards. Jim FURYK Won the Memorial in '02. En route to runner-up finish here in '09, he led the field in fairways hit, finished T9 in greens and second in putting. In 2010, he's seventh in proximity to the hole from 50-75 yards and scrambling. Third in all-time earnings here. Tiger WOODS Four-time Memorial champ is making his first title defense of '10. At the '09 edition, he was second in fairways and T3 in greens. He cracks this list based on his comfort zone and ability to dominate on the par 5s. Early return from neck injury is a huge positive. Adam SCOTT First start since winning the Valero Texas Open, where he had just five bogeys, placed T19 in greens hit and T15 in putting. Has two top fives here in five starts. Sits 11th in total driving and fourth in ball-striking on TOUR this year. Bo VAN PELT Has four top 10s in his last five starts, including a T10 at Colonial, where he finished T3 in greens hit and T4 in birdies. Ranks first in ball-striking, fifth in total driving and fifth in birdies or better on par 4s. Also logged a T3 at the 2005 Memorial. Geoff OGILVY Former U.S. Open champ is peaking at a great time, with a T13 at Colonial. Booked top 10s here each of the last three years. He's 10th in birdies or better on par 4s and leads the TOUR in proximity to the hole from the rough.