Power Rankings: U.S. Senior Open Championship

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Editor's note: Vartan Kupelian is the Champions Tour Insider and a PGATOUR.COM Contributor. Each week, Kupelian will size up the field and provide his top 5 players going into the tournament, based on factors such as the player's strengths, the course setup, recent performances, etc.

This week's United States Senior Open Championship will be played at Sahalee Country Club in Sammamish, Washington.

Originally designed by Ted Robinson and opened in 1969, Sahalee was renovated in 1996 by Rees Jones for the 1998 PGA Championship (won by Vijay Singh). For the 31st U.S. Senior Open, Sahalee will be set up to play at 6,866 yards and par 70.

Sahalee is not new to the Champions Tour. The 1986 GTE Northwest Classic, won by Australian Bruce Crampton, was held on the course.

The U.S. Senior Open is the third of five major championships on the Champions Tour, and the second-straight following last week's Senior British.

The final two Champions Tour majors are the JELD-WEN Tradition, Aug. 19-22, and the Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship, Oct. 7-10.

This week's Champions Tour Power Rankings for the U.S. Senior Open:

Power Rankings: U.S. Senior Open Championship

Rank Player   Comment Fred COUPLES This is the one he's been waiting for all year. The Seattle native returns home in search of a first major title to go with his hot three-win start on the Champions Tour. Lost a playoff at the Senior PGA to Tom Lehman and passed on the Senior British. Bernhard LANGER Went wire-to-wire to claim his first major title at Carnoustie and 11th Champions Tour title. He is now No.1 in the Schwab Cup standings and is No. 2 on the Money List. His final round at Carnoustie was a lesson in controlling emotions and course management. Corey PAVIN Playing outstanding golf but victory has been elusive for the U.S. Ryder Cup captain. Lost a playoff at Travelers Championship on the PGA TOUR, then runner-up finish at the Senior British following a T3 in Montreal on Champions Tour. Short game as good as ever. Dan FORSMAN Quietly putting together a splendid season. He has eight top-10 finishes, including four top 5s in the last six events, with a victory at Regions Charity Classic. Forsman is 12th in Total Driving and No. 1 in Greens in Regulation, always key stats in Open events. Fred FUNK Defending champion posted a record 20-under-par 268 last year to win by six strokes. He also has two solid finishes at Sahalee -- T2 at the 2002 World Golf Championships-NEC Invitational and T23 at the 1998 PGA Championship.