Power Rankings: Frys.com Open

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The third stop of the Fall Series coincides with the PGA TOUR's third and final trip to California this year. After the West Coast Swing and the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, CordeValle Golf Club in San Martin hosts the fourth edition of the Frys.com Open. (Grayhawk GC in Scottsdale, Ariz., served as the venue in 2007-09.)

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The picturesque resort situated within the idyllic beauty of the Santa Clara Valley represents the sixth and final new track the touring pros will see in 2010. Designer Robert Trent Jones Jr., he of Celtic Manor and Chambers Bay fame, to name a couple with recent buzz, said of the CordeValle, "It is perhaps my finest golf course creation."

Similar to what the fellas faced in Sea Island last week, greens in regulation is the priority once again, with a mild premium on course management. The combo Bentgrass-Poa annua greens, which average 8,300 square feet, will be running at 11 on the Stimpmeter, so longer hitters that spray it off the tee will appreciate receptive surfaces. Also, with strategically placed hazards, distance control is vital tee to green, meaning those playing well entering should experience some momentum. Touring pros tend to have their way with resort courses, so the scoring should be low, which caters to birdie opportunities, not putting contests.

For the third straight week, the weather will cooperate. Nothing but sunshine is forecast. The high temperature might hit 90 on Thursday, but it could cool some 20 degrees by Sunday. The only challenge might be a pesky breeze as wind currents swoop and swirl between mountain ranges.

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FRYS.COM OPEN: Inside the Field | Full Field | Inside the course

Power Rankings: Frys.com Open

Rank Player   Comment Bo VAN PELT Back in the saddle after finishing tied for sixth at The McGladrey Classic, where he closed 66-66 and ranked T15 in greens hit and 19th in putting. Currently 26th on TOUR in ball-striking, 11th in the all-around and 19th in birdie average. Tim CLARK Winner of THE PLAYERS, he's exempt through 2015 and he's established a career-best $3.38 million in earnings, so he's likely just staying fresh, as he's proven to do in the Fall Series. Ranks fourth on TOUR in fairways and 31st in putting. Arjun ATWAL UPDATE: Arjun Atwal withdrew from the tournament Tuesday morning. Ben CURTIS Surprise appearance in this feature. Has shown to connect strong weeks, so he's here after a T15 at The McGladrey, where he was under par in every round, ranked third in fairways and T7 in greens hit. Aron PRICE En route to a T9 at The McGladrey, he led the field in total distance of putts made, with over 451 feet. Ranks seventh on TOUR in greens and 19th in the all-around. Sneaky-good short game, too, as he's inside the top 10 in three GIR splits under 125 yards. John ROLLINS UPDATE: John Rollins withdrew from the tournament Wednesday morning. Joe DURANT His Fall Series recalls his Player of the Month honors for October/November in 2006 (five top-six paydays, including a win). Notorious ball-striker is coming off T6 in Sea Island, where he led the field in fairways and finished T3 in greens. Closed with a 70 though. Rickie FOWLER Last year's playoff loser (with Jamie Lovemark, also in the field) gets a crack at a new venue. Currently tied for first (with Troy Merritt) in Kodak Challenge. Fowler is currently 25th in ball-striking (35th in GIR). Likely needs to win to be Rookie of the Year. Johnson WAGNER With his back against the wall to retain his PGA TOUR card (147th in earnings), he's finished T8 and T25 in the Fall Series. In the eight rounds, he's hit 81.25 percent of his greens in regulation and has broken par on 35 of 144 holes (24.31 percent). Michael CONNELL Solid Fall Series thus far, with a T11 at the Viking Classic and T15 at The McGladrey Classic. Converted eight birdies in final-round 66 at Seaside, and ranked inside the top 25 in all significant statistical categories.