Power Rankings: Quail Hollow Championship

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The Quail Hollow Championship is to THE PLAYERS what the Shell Houston Open is to The Masters. Although both are stand-alone events on superb tracks, they are essentially primers for what's on deck.

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The field is deeper in Charlotte, however. Sean O'Hair earned 68.00 Official World Golf Ranking points with his win here a year ago. Compare that to Paul Casey's 62.00 and Anthony Kim's 52.00 for winning in Houston in 2009 and 2010, respectively. Obviously, the presence of Tiger Woods this week helps inflate that value, but 21 of the world's top 33 are in the field.

For all of its challenges such as The Green Mile (holes 16-18, all of which ranked inside the top four handicap holes in 2009), Quail Hollow rated a mild 25th-most difficult in '09 in birdies or better on both par 4s and par 5s. This is what will separate the field this week, although closing pars will likely clinch the title. Despite ranking as the most difficult in proximity to the hole last year and second-toughest in driving accuracy, the host course sat T22 in birdie average, which means that there are plenty of spots to miss it and still have a chance. Overall, it was 19th in scoring average. It was fifth among par 72s in non-majors.

Expect sunny skies and high temps in the upper-70s until the cut. Then, a threat for rain and boomers encroaches for the weekend, enough so that it deserves a mention here. The mercury will also rise into the low-80s. Delays are possible but we're not looking at an all-day rain event. Winds will be moderate at worst throughout the tournament.

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Power Rankings: Quail Hollow Championship

Rank Player   Comment Camilo VILLEGAS Although his best finish in four starts here is a T22 (2009), he's simply a different golfer now and his ability to create suits Quail Hollow perfectly. Sits 15th in birdies or better on par 4s and fourth in scoring average. Coming off T5 at the Heritage. Phil MICKELSON First appearance since winning the Masters. Leads the TOUR in birdies or better on par 5s. Has five top-12 finishes in six starts here. Despite sitting 187th in accuracy off the tee, he's 22nd in greens hit from lies off the fairway. Anthony KIM Since the inception of this event in 2003, there hasn't been a repeat champion. AK ranks highest here among the former winners (2008). Comes off T16 in South Korea. He leads the TOUR in scoring average and is second in birdies or better on par 4s. Tiger WOODS He's making only his second start of the season after a T4 at the Masters. Won here in 2007. Worst finish in four appearances is a T11 in '05. Would rank higher here if he had more reps in 2010. Jim FURYK Has four top 11s in his last five starts here, including a victory in 2006. Coming off playoff win at the Heritage. Currently ninth in accuracy off the tee and sixth in proximity to the hole. Has proven that Quail Hollow is fair to the dinkers. Nick WATNEY First start since finishing solo seventh at the Masters. Has four top 25s in five appearances here. He's seventh in birdie average, 12th in birdies or better on par 4s and 18th in the same stat on par 5s. Lee WESTWOOD Third career appearance at Quail Hollow; first since 2007. Coming off runner-up at the Masters. Has five top 10s in eight starts worldwide in 2010. Cannot be overlooked in any field anywhere nowadays. Stewart CINK Having a quiet year but rolls in on the heels of a T14 at Harbour Town, where he ranked T3 in greens hit. Currently sixth on TOUR in birdies or better on par 4s. Has two top 10s at Quail Hollow (2007, 2008). Matt KUCHAR Despite a terrible record here, he's remains tops in earnings and FedExCup points among non-winners this season. First in the all-around ranking. Also eighth in birdies or better on par 4s (30th on par 5s). He's 150th in proximity but third in scrambling. Heath SLOCUM Chased a T18 at the Masters with a T8 at the Heritage. Leads the TOUR in fairways hit; also 25th in GIR. He's recorded two top 10s at Quail Hollow in six starts, including a T5 in 2008.