Power Rankings: Wyndham Championship

text size

For those making the trip from the PGA Championship to this week's Wyndham Championship, there may not be a better after-major cure than Sedgefield Country Club.

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

Now in its fourth year as host of one of the oldest tournaments on the PGA TOUR -- see more on this below -- Sedgefield has twice been the easiest par 70 on the schedule (2008, 2010). It was the second-least challenging in 2009. Of all courses last year, it registered the lowest aggregate scoring average at 68.183.

Listen to Bolton

Golf fantasy expert Rob Bolton discusses his weekly Power Rankings on the PGA TOUR Network. Click to listen

The host track, which can measure 7,117 yards from the tips, has ranked in the middle of the pack in fairways hit in every edition, and the bentgrass greens have been among the most inviting on TOUR. Greens in regulation has averaged between 73-76 percent, setting the stage for shootouts. However, given that birdie opportunities are in ample supply, and that Sedgefield has finished inside the top 21 most difficult in strokes gained-putting, this will, indeed, be a putting contest. Familiarity and recent play boost projections as usual this week, as do birdie average and adjusted scoring average.

History at the Wyndham will extend until at least 2016 thanks to title sponsor's renewal (announced on Aug. 1). In 1938, the event crowned eventual Hall of Famer Sam Snead as its first champion. As if that isn't enough to pique interest, Snead owns a pair of impressive records in Greensboro, North Carolina as well. His eight titles stands alone as most in a single tournament, and he still holds the mark for oldest champion on the PGA TOUR when he recorded a five-stroke victory in 1965 and the age of 52 years, 10 months and eight days. (Art Wall, who ranks as the second-oldest winner, was nearly 15 months Snead's junior when he triumphed in Milwaukee in 1975.)

A warm, dry week could give way to rain and storms come Thursday afternoon or Friday morning. The threat will remain real for about 36 hours before a return to sunny skies and high temperatures in the upper 80s. Winds are forecast to be light throughout.

MORE: Rookies | Medical | Reshuffle

Power Rankings: Wyndham Championship

Rank Player   Comment David TOMS Top 10s the last two weeks, including a T4 at the PGA Championship. Now has six top 10s in 17 starts. Superb fit at Sedgefield, ranking 18th in strokes gained-putting, eighth in birdie average, seventh in adjusted scoring and second in the all-around. Brandt SNEDEKER The migration to Sedgefield hasn't caused any trouble for the last winner at Forest Oaks (2007). He placed T5 here in 2009 and T8 last year. Currently second on TOUR in stroke gained-putting, 45th in birdie average and 18th in adjusted scoring. Webb SIMPSON Missed cut at the PGA ended a streak of six straight top 20s, but the Raleigh native and resident still leads the TOUR in the all-around. Also second in birdie average and eighth in adjusted scoring. Closed out a T8 here last year with a bogey-free 63. Brendon DE JONGE Followed three consecutive top 15s with a T26 at the PGA Championship. Sits 33rd on the PGA TOUR in strokes gained-putting, 26th in birdie average (second in total birdies) and 42nd in adjusted scoring average. Charles HOWELL III Eight consecutive cuts made; includes a stretch of three straight top fives. Ranks 23rd on TOUR in strokes gained-putting and ninth in adjusted scoring. Placed T13 in only appearance at Sedgefield (2009) with a bogey-free 63 in his final round. Bill HAAS Shared 12th place at the PGA to extend his consecutive-cuts-made streak to eight. Ranks 24th in adjusted scoring. Posted a T10 here in 2009, opening with an 8-under 62. During last year's T28, played a 36-hole stretch in bogey-free 9-under. Lucas GLOVER Top 25s in all three starts at Sedgefield. En route to a solo seventh last year, ranked second in putting and led the field in birdies. Sits 24th on TOUR in strokes gained-putting, 33rd in birdie average and 61st in adjusted scoring. Cameron TRINGALE Missed cut at the PGA ended streak of consecutive top 25s at four. His T4 at The Greenbrier Classic is a career-best finish. Ranks 40th on the PGA TOUR in strokes gained-putting and 16th in total birdies. Anthony KIM Has shown flashes of late, with a T5 at the British Open and a T14 at The Greenbrier, where he posted a bogey-free 62 in the third round. Regardless of previous experience, should never be overlooked when low scores and putting dominate. Trevor IMMELMAN Arrives on the heels of consecutive top 15s, including a T12 at the PGA Championship, where he ranked fifth in putting and T5 in birdies. Overall, hes 30th on TOUR in strokes gained-putting and 66th in adjusted scoring average.