Power Rankings: World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions

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Eight of the world's top 10 (and 33 of the top 50) descend on Sheshan International Golf Club in Shanghai, China, this week for the sixth edition of the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions, and second consecutive as a member of the World Golf Championship family.

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The host course is a par 36-36--72, measuring 7,199 yards. In advance of its WGC label a year ago, the rough was overseeded with Rye grass, but it didn't prevent the bombers from owning a chokehold on the leaderboard. At its conclusion, six of the top nine ranked inside the top 10 in distance off the tee, including champion Phil Mickelson, the only two-time winner of the event. Meanwhile, only one inside the top nine (Rory McIlroy, solo fourth) finished inside the top 10 in greens in regulation, which supports the theory that Sheshan is a bomber's paradise. Furthermore, six of the top nine finished outside the top 35 in fairways hit. (Mickelson averaged 50 percent, ranking 70th.)

En route to victory, Mickelson shot 17-under 271 and was the only golfer in the field with four rounds in the 60s. Bentgrass greens, which will be running at 12 on the Stimpmeter, slope severely and feature undulations the touring pros can respect, so hole locations could play a significant role in terms of scoring, course management and opportunities for ball-strikers. An additional year of maturity for the Rye overseed could also factor, depending on the height of the rough. For these intents and purposes, we've haven't seen the final version of Sheshan.

Mother Nature is serving up the ideal forecast. The sun is expected to shine all week, high temperatures will reach the mid- to upper-60s and winds will be light.

NOTE: Although the Yahoo! fantasy game has concluded, my Fantasy Insider column continues weekly. Please check later this week for 2011 fantasy projections on all 25 Nationwide Tour graduates.

Power Rankings: World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions

Rank Player   Comment Martin KAYMER Winning streak ended at three with a T21 at the Andalucia Masters at quirky Valderrama. Currently leads the European Tour in the Race to Dubai and scoring average. Tied for sixth at last year's WGC-HSBC and finished T20 in 2008. Graeme McDOWELL Coming off his third European Tour victory of the year, by a two-stroke margin at the Andalucia Masters. Ranks second in the Race to Dubai, fourth in scoring average and greens in regulation. Placed T16 here in 2008. Luke DONALD Triple bogey on Sunday prevented a victory in the CIMB Asia Pacific Classic Malaysia, where he lost by two strokes to finish T3 (with four 67s), but he led the field in birdies (23). Last played Sheshan in 2006, finishing in a tie of 14th. Nick WATNEY Last two starts: T4 at THE TOUR Championship, T6 at the JT Shriners. In only appearance here, finished fifth last year and ranked third in putting. Currently 20th on the PGA TOUR in driving distance and fourth in birdie average. Padraig HARRINGTON Enters riding three consecutive top 20s, including a win in Malaysia three weeks ago, his first anywhere since the 2008 PGA Championship. Has played in every edition of this event. Last year's T25 was a career worst in his five starts. Lee WESTWOOD The world's new No. 1 is coming off a T11 at the Dunhill Links, his first start since the injury layoff. In three starts here, placed T12 (2005), T2 (2007) and T8 (2009). Currently 10th on the European Tour in scoring average. Ernie ELS Polished off a tie for fifth place in Malaysia on Sunday with four consecutive birdies. Runner-up by one stroke to Phil Mickelson at last year's WGC-HSBC Champions. Els' short game and power are quantifiable assets this week. Phil MICKELSON The defending champ and two-time winner (2007) would rank higher, but he's had just one top 10 in his last eight starts. At Sheshan last year, he ranked seventh in distance off the tee, 13th in greens hit and first in putting. Tiger WOODS Two-time runner-up (2005, 2006) finished T6 last year. Although he's slipped to No. 2 in the world ranking, his game is making strides, evidenced by three straight top 15s in the FedExCup Playoffs and 3-1-0 record at the Ryder Cup. Robert ALLENBY Closed out a share of fifth place at the CIMB Asia Pacific Classic Malaysia with a bogey-free 64. Finished tied for third at his previous start (The McGladrey Classic). In his only appearance in Shanghai, finished T23 last year.