Power Rankings: Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial

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The PGA TOUR winds its way back into Texas for the third time in eight weeks for the 64th edition of the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial. No other active track on the schedule has hosted a non-major longer than Colonial Country Club, site of this event since 1946.

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Ben Hogan was a five-time winner here, including the first two. Colonial is one of his "Alleys," but the club itself includes the Hogan Trophy Room and a statue of him overlooking the 18th green. Along with Hogan, the Wall of Champions beside the first tee includes Sam Snead, Cary Middlecoff, Roberto De Vicenzo, Tommy Bolt, Julius Boros, Arnold Palmer, Billy Casper, Gene Littler, Lee Trevino, Jack Nicklaus and Nick Price, all of whom are Hall of Famers. Future Hall inductee, Phil Mickelson, is also a two-time champ.

"Alley" is a good way to describe the visual on many of the holes, too, what with the tree-lined fairways. However, the course can be dominated, albeit not necessarily with driver in hand. Defending champion, Zach Johnson, ranked T10 in fairways hit and first in greens in regulation last year. His 21-under 259 is a tournament record, and his closing 64-64=128 matched the all-time low for the final 36 holes.

Colonial ranked as the third-easiest par 70 (of 14) in 2010, checking in at 1.459 strokes under par. And statistically, putting will play a role. All of the top six on the final leaderboard last year ranked inside the top 15 in total distance of putts made. Meanwhile, 13 of the top 25 in FedExCup standings are in the field, as well as 16 of the top 25 finishers of last week's PLAYERS.

After a dry weather pattern exits midweek, the threat of rain and thunderstorms enters the frame at some point on Thursday. It is expected to linger through Friday, and then abate a bit on the weekend, but all bets are off in the long range. What is certain is that the wind will blow throughout. High temperatures will climb into the upper 80s on the weekend, a welcome reprieve after last year's scorching mid-to-upper 90s all week.

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Power Rankings: Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial

Rank Player   Comment Jason DAY The Colonial Country Club member enters on the coattails of a T6 at THE PLAYERS, his fifth top 10 in 10 starts this year. Currently 15th on TOUR in birdie average and fourth in the all-around. Solo fourth here in 2009. Steve MARINO Lost in a playoff here two years ago. Top 25s the last two weeks on the PGA TOUR; also has a pair of runner-up finishes this season. Sits 27th overall in greens in regulation, 35th in scoring average and first in the bounce-back. Hunter MAHAN Last week's share of sixth place at TPC Sawgrass was his sixth top 10 of the year. Has failed to post a top 25 in seven appearances at Colonial, but enters ranked 10th on TOUR in greens hits and first in birdie average. David TOMS Lost in a playoff at THE PLAYERS, where he co-led the field in fairways, ranked T4 in greens and carded a field-low five bogeys. Currently second on TOUR in fairways and greens. Seven straight cashes at Colonial, including last year's T13. Pat PEREZ Despite missing the cut at THE PLAYERS, he has three top-six paydays in his last five starts entering this week. Top 10s in each of his last three visits to Colonial. Ranked 24th on TOUR in birdie average and 38th in strokes gained-putting. Zach JOHNSON Defending champion. Closed out a T12 at THE PLAYERS with a seven-birdie 66 and ranked in the top 15 in fairways, greens and birdies for the week. Also placed T6 at Quail Hollow. Currently sixth on TOUR in fairways and strokes gained-putting. Stewart CINK Shook his mini-slump that started at the Masters with a pair of top 20s the last two weeks. Ranked third in greens hit at TPC Sawgrass. Has cashed in all 13 appearances at Colonial; nine went for top 25s, including his last four. Kevin NA Missed the cut on the number at THE PLAYERS, but posted top 10s in both previous starts. He's cashed in his last five trips here, four of which were top 25s. Short-game wizard ranks fifth on TOUR in scrambling and seventh in stroke gained-putting. Jason DUFNER Consecutive top 10s entering the week, hitting 56 greens in regulation in both starts (leading the field at TPC Sawgrass). Ranks 42nd on TOUR in ball-striking, 29th in birdie average and 11th in the all-around. Matt KUCHAR Defying conventional logic with his inclusion. His T54 at last week's PLAYERS is his worst showing anywhere since his T56 here last year. However, he's still 13th on TOUR in greens hit, 16th in birdie average and seventh in the all-around.