Power Rankings: The Heritage

text size

Although defending champion Jim Furyk claimed his second title of 2010 at The Heritage, many golf fans will remember the event as the one where Brian Davis called a penalty on himself for brushing a loose impediment greenside in a playoff with the eventual winner. The Englishman earned his fair share of respect from those previously unfamiliar with him, but he remains a non-winner on the PGA TOUR.

Got a fantasy question for Rob? Click here to e-mail him. You can also follow Rob on his Twitter account.

The unfortunate irony is that Harbour Town Golf Links is and has been one of the easiest courses on TOUR on and around its greens. Although it checked in at second-most difficult in greens in regulation last year (56.77 percent) -- and tops among non-majors -- it ranked seventh-easiest in scrambling and third-easiest in putting. (All three ranks offer accurate reflections of playability over the last six years.) Therefore, when golfers miss the putting surfaces on approach -- commonplace given the greens' average size of 3,700 square feet -- their confidence remains high to walk away with no worse than par.

In terms of weather, the tournament benefited by not getting scheduled in its traditional slot the week after the Masters this year, what with the historic severe weather that rolled through over the weekend. The next threat is anticipated to hit on Thursday, and then linger into Friday. Otherwise, primarily dry and sunny conditions are expected. Temperatures should top out comfortably in the high 70s, while the early forecast for winds is favorable.

MORE: Rookies | Medical | Reshuffle | Major qualifiers

Power Rankings: The Heritage

Rank Player   Comment Aaron BADDELEY Earned his first of three PGA TOUR victories here in 2006, and has five top 25s in as many starts. Maintaining control of his irons, ranking T30 on TOUR in greens in regulation. Three top 10s this year, including a T4 in Houston three weeks ago. Luke DONALD An absolute no-brainer, with top threes here the last two years. Enters riding four straight top 10s, including a T4 at the Masters. And leads the PGA TOUR in adjusted scoring average, birdie-or-better conversion percentage and putting. Jim FURYK The defending champ also has a pair of seconds, a fourth and a T10 on his resume here. He's also second in all-time earnings at this event. Trending well upon arrival, with top 25s in his last three starts. Ranks 45th in greens hit. Matt KUCHAR Took a week off after his roller-coaster T27 at the Masters. Six top 10s in nine starts this year. Ranks 16th on TOUR in greens and second in the all-around. Has cashed in each of his last six starts here, with three top 15s, including last year's T14. Ricky BARNES Hidden behind his share of 36th place in San Antonio last week was the fact that he ranked T3 in greens in regulation. Made his debut at Harbour Town last year, finishing T5. Ranked T17 in GIR, T9 in putting and T3 in birdies for the week. Webb SIMPSON Two weeks off since the new daddy finished T16 in Houston after a closing bogey-free 69. Owns some sick splits: 38th in total driving; 21st in greens hit; 20th in putting; eighth in the all-around. Placed T14 here last year. Rickie FOWLER Site of his first career PGA TOUR start in 2008. (He missed the cut.) Shared eighth place in his return last year, and ranked second in greens in regulation. Final-round 67 included an eagle and seven birdies. Brian GAY The TOUR's leader in fairways hit, scrambling and sand saves blistered the field by 10 strokes here in 2009. He's cashed in eight of nine starts this year, with six top 25s. A bona fide horse for this course. Fredrik JACOBSON Coming off a season-best T5 in San Antonio, his fifth top 25 of the year. Three top 25s in six starts here, including a T22 in 2010. Ranks 68th on TOUR in greens, 56th in putting and 17th in adjusted scoring average. Brandt SNEDEKER Hedging low based on his sketchy record here -- one top-45 payday in five starts; missed the cut in his last two -- but he's coming off his fourth top 10 of the year in San Antonio. Ranks his customarily lofty second on TOUR in putting.