Power Rankings: Preferred Health Systems Wichita Open

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Kyle Thompson wouldn't mind keeping his momentum going this week at the Preferred Health Systems Wichita Open.

Thompson, who shot four rounds in the 60s to win the Rex Hospital Open, will be going for two in a row. He secured the victory Sunday by rolling in a short birdie putt on 18 to beat Scott Brown, Troy Kelly and Martin Flores by a shot. The leaderboard was pretty heavily stacked, but Thompson made the birdie to put him over the top.

"I knew nobody was running away with it today," he said, "so every shot was going to be important."

This is the third of four straight weeks on the Nationwide Tour schedule. This week's tournament, which starts on Thursday, will be at the Crestview Country Club in Wichita, Kansas.

In last year's tournament, Jhonattan Vegas came from way back in the pack with a 7-under 64 on the final day to win the title.

One advantage for Thompson is he shot a 63 in last year's final round in Wichita. He missed a five-foot putt for eagle on the final hole that would have given him a 62.

Power Rankings: Preferred Health Systems Wichita Open

Rank   Player Comment Roberto CASTRO He opened last year's tournament with a 64-63 and wound up finishing second behind Vegas. Castro doesn't exactly come into this week with a head of steam after missing two straight cuts. But before that he tied for fourth at the BMW Charity Pro-Am. Ryan ARMOUR Not only did Armour have a good finish here last year, he comes in on a roll with a tie for second and a tie for fifth. Armour has moved up to 10th on the money list. Kyle THOMPSON With his third career win, Thompson jumped from 61st to sixth on the money list. Despite missing the cut in the previous week, Thompson put together four good rounds to finish at 14 under in Raleigh. Brett QUIGLEY The PGA TOUR veteran is playing in his second Nationwide Tour event of the season. He tied for 31st at the BMW Charity Pro-Am in May. On the PGA TOUR, Quigley has struggled. After tying for 31st in the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, he missed four straight cuts. Scott BROWN He has quietly moved into 16th on the money list, thanks to a tie for second on Sunday. The former University of South Carolina/Aiken golfer shot 69-63-71-68 in Raleigh.

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John Dell has covered golf for the Winston-Salem Journal in North Carolina for the last 17 years. His views do not necessarily represent the views of the PGA TOUR. You can reach him at johndell@triad.rr.com.