Power Rankings: the Memorial Tournament

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Weather has been a headline across the country in this La Nina year, and central Ohio hasn't been spared. A significant amount of rain has fallen in the Columbus area, which will likely be the culprit for a few gnarly lies in the rough at Muirfield Village this week. And given the customary increasing challenge from tee to green at the Jack Nicklaus-designed host track since the inception of the Memorial Tournament in 1976, finding the short grass is at an elevated premium.

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Typically, Nicklaus gives competitors a margin for error off the tee, but course management will require the longest hitters to play some holes backwards. Greens average 5,000 square feet and should be running at 13 on the Stimpmeter, even with all of the moisture the area has seen.

While various factors have modified the course profile in recent years, Muirfield Village has ranked inside the top 11 most difficult in strokes gained-putting since 2008. A rookie has never won this event -- 12 are in the field as of midday Monday -- so look for an experienced, battle-tested leaderboard come Sunday. It projects to include those that rank high in total driving, greens in regulation and putting.

A storm system -- what else? -- will clear out by Wednesday, paving the way for mostly dry conditions throughout the tournament, although the threat of rain cannot be ruled out entirely for Thursday and Sunday. Warm and muggy weather otherwise, with highs well into the 80s and north of 90 on Saturday. Light-to-moderate winds will do little to cool those in attendance.

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Power Rankings: the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Insurance

Rank Player   Comment Matt KUCHAR Coming off a pair of top 20s in Texas, including a T6 at the Byron Nelson. Top 10s in his last three appearances at the Memorial. Ranks 34th on TOUR in total driving, 12th in greens, 37th in strokes gained-putting and second in adjusted scoring average. Luke DONALD The world's newest No. 1-ranked golfer has 15 top 10s in his last 17 starts worldwide, including his playoff victory at the BMW PGA Championship on Sunday. Leads the PGA TOUR in adjusted scoring average. Top 15s in his last two starts here. Nick WATNEY Recorded top 10s in each of his last two starts entering this week. Since his T14 here in 2009, he has 16 top 10s on TOUR. Ranks sixth in total driving, 14th in distance, 21st in greens hit, 20th in strokes gained-putting and third in the all-around. Hunter MAHAN His share of sixth at THE PLAYERS and 10th at Colonial were career-bests at both venues. Best finish here is a T14 (2009). Seven top 10s in 13 starts this season. Currently 11th on TOUR in total driving, seventh in greens and first in birdie average. Stewart CINK Has made the cut in each of the last 13 editions of the event, with six top 10s, including his last two appearances. Top 20s in his last three starts this season. Sits 52nd on TOUR in greens hit and 44th in strokes gained-putting. Bill HAAS Top 10s in his last two starts, including a T8 at Colonial, where he finished third in greens hit. Ranks 17th on TOUR in total driving, fifth in greens in regulation, 34th in strokes gained-putting and ninth in the all-around. J.B. HOLMES While he leads the PGA TOUR in distance off the tee and sits 39th in greens hit, he remains a terribly underrated scrambler (50th), but that's the primary reason why he's 10-for-10 this year, with four top 10s, including his last two starts. Phil MICKELSON It took him seven starts at Muirfield Village before he posted his first top 10 in 2002. He now has three, including last year's T5. Four top 10s in 11 starts this year. Ranks 10th in the all-around. Still long off the tee, too, sitting 16th on TOUR. Jeff OVERTON Steady, productive season, with two top 10s among 13 cuts made, including a share of eighth at the Byron Nelson, where he finished inside the top 25 in all relevant stats. Ranks 41st in total driving and 58th in strokes gained-putting. Dustin JOHNSON Roller-coaster week at the Byron Nelson en route to a T20, but ranked inside the top 10 in distance off the tee, fairways hit, greens in regulation and birdies. Currently 25th on TOUR in total driving, 15th in GIR and third in birdie average.