Power Rankings: The Barclays

Ridgewood Country Club is a splendid test to start the FedExCup Playoffs. It qualifies for what I call "the three Ps" -- power, precision and putting.

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While greens in regulation and scrambling are the focal points in what most would describe as a ball-striker's yard, a taut tee-to-cup game is ideal. It will reward guys currently in form, with a splash of value for success in 2008, when it first hosted this event. (Heath Slocum triumphed at Liberty National last year.)

Its ranking among all courses two years ago revealed a premium on sand saves (third-most difficult) and putting inside 10 feet (eighth-hardest), but the final leaderboard showcased a balanced approach. Driving accuracy is all but irrelevant, however.

Once early-week clouds and showers depart, nothing but sunshine is expected. The high temperatures will float around 80 degrees. Wind is not be a factor in early forecasts

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Power Rankings: The Barclays

Rank Player   Comment Matt KUCHAR Owns a PGA TOUR-leading nine top 10s, including a T9 at Firestone and T10 at Whistling Straits. Also leads in the all-around, scrambling, bogey avoidance and par-4 performance. He's 10th in greens, 23rd in putting and second in adjusted scoring. Bo VAN PELT The everyman's dark horse. In the midst of a career year despite no victories. Has cashed in his last 12 starts. Ranks 22nd in greens, 31st in scrambling, ninth in adjusted scoring and 17th in the all-around. Ernie ELS Snapped out of his mini-slump with a T22 at the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational and T18 at the PGA Championship. Currently 22nd in greens in regulation, 38th in scrambling and first in adjusted scoring. Paul CASEY Got bumped from the top five in European Ryder Cup Points when Peter Hanson won the Czech Open, so The Barclays is his final audition for a Captain's Pick. Casey was T7 here in 2008. He's 47th in GIR, 64th in scrambling and 10th all-around. Steve STRICKER Coming off T9 at the Bridgestone Invitational and T18 at the PGA Championship. Ranks fifth on TOUR in the all-around, 65th in greens hit, 19th in scrambling and 11th in bogey avoidance. Finished T19 at Ridgewood two years ago. Justin LEONARD He's outside the top 100 in GIR and scrambling, but he has three top 25s in last four starts, including a T3 at the Wyndham, where he ranked T4 in greens. Placed T7 at the 2008 Barclays, finishing T6 in greens, T8 in putting and T4 in birdies. Phil MICKELSON Finished T12 at the PGA Championship. Ranks 22nd in scrambling, ninth in birdie average and seventh in adjusted scoring. Placed T19 at The Barclays in 2008, and was the only golfer in the field with tournament-high two eagles. Steve ELKINGTON Has cashed in his last eight starts, including a T10 at Turning Stone and T5 at Whistling Straits, where he bogeyed his last two holes. Ranks 20th in the all-around, 33rd in greens in regulation and 15th in scrambling. Kevin SUTHERLAND Has just one top 10 among 14 paydays in 20 starts this season, but he fits the profile. He leads in greens in regulation, sits 14th in scrambling and third in bogey avoidance. Oh, and he was the forgotten man in the epic playoff here in 2008. Bubba WATSON Breakthrough at the Travelers hinted at more to come. But that he'd contend at the PGA Championship is above all expectations other than his own. He placed T12 at Ridgewood in 2008. He's third in all-around and first in birdie average.