Fantasy Insider: Analysis for the WGC-Match Play, Mayakoba

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I was all set to laud Jeff Overton's sleeper possibilities at the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship, and then Tim Clark withdrew. See, Overton is the lone golfer in the bottom quadrant of the Sam Snead bracket that isn't coming off a withdrawal due to an injury. Or he was, rather, now that J.B. Holmes has been slotted into Clark's vacated position.

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WGC-ACCENTURE

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MAYAKOBA

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Of course, Overton has to defeat Ernie Els in the opening round to advance anyway. While The Big Easy has been cleared by doctors following a stiff neck, the element of doubt exists in his ability to overcome. Meanwhile, in the other half of the quadrant, Camilo Villegas is coming off a back injury that bumped him from the Waste Management Phoenix Open. He hasn't played competitively since. The Colombian now draws Holmes, who arrives riding a string of three top 15s. So, what looked like a potential coup for Overton is everything but now.

Two other notables at the Match Play are returning from withdrawals this week. Bubba Watson and his pulled oblique muscle faces off against Bill Haas on Wednesday, also in the Snead bracket. What would have otherwise been a dynamite match between two guys with hot starts is muffled by Watson's injury. Meanwhile, Anthony Kim has recovered from an illness that forced him to withdraw at Riviera after two rounds. He squares off against red-hot Nick Watney in the opener.

The preview below takes quick looks at the rest of the field at the Mayakoba Golf Classic at Riviera Maya-Cancun.

Power Rankings Plus

11. Tom Lehman ... Experience and moxie alone earn him this perch, but he's been playing great of late, too. With a second-place finish and a victory in two starts on the Champions Tour, he was voted the circuit's Player of the Month for January and February. He's striping his irons and has zero to lose this week.

12. Chris Riley ... Four top 30s at this event, including a T13 a year ago, when he finished second in greens in regulation. Short game and putting will serve him very well.

13. Jarrod Lyle ... He's cashed in five of six starts already this year, but hasn't posted a top 30. Top 10s in his last two visits to El Camaleon though. Seems to elevate his game in the wind, which speaks to his Aussie roots.

14. Kevin Stadler ... Coming off a share of 12th place at the Northern Trust, where he ranked T4 in greens hit. He's cashed in all four appearances here, including a T9 a year ago.

15. David Toms ... In his only previous appearance, finished T6 in 2009. Currently 58th on TOUR in greens in regulation, and ninth in putting. That's an impressive ratio.

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Power Rankings Distribution for Yahoo! (rank)

Group A ... Brian Gay (3)

Group B ... J.J. Henry (1); Spencer Levin (2); Chris Riley (12); David Toms (15)

Group C ... Aaron Baddeley (4); Cameron Beckman (5); Jhonattan Vegas (6); Zack Miller (7); Boo Weekley (8); Joe Durant (9); Charles Howell III (10); Tom Lehman (11); Jarrod Lyle (13); Kevin Stadler (14)

Dark Horse (Yahoo! Group)

Jerry Kelly (C) ... Could of made a case for him to sit in the Power Rankings Plus, but this is a better fit coming off a missed cut in Scottsdale three weeks ago. Started 2011 with a pair of top 15s and nine consecutive rounds in the 60s. Owns three top 30s in as many starts here, including a T6 in 2009.

Briny Baird (C) ... Has finished T12, T6 and T4 in his last three appearances here, respectively, but last year's effort is his most recent top 10 anywhere, which is why he's a Dark Horse.

Richard S. Johnson (B) ... Played his final 38 holes in bogey-free 10-under en route to a share of fourth place here a year ago. Ranks 13th on the PGA TOUR in putting.

Joe Ogilvie (C) ... Has a couple of top 20s at this event. Currently 32nd in the all-around, and inside the top 65 tee to cup. Recently finished T13 at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, where he ranked T7 in greens hit.

Fred Funk (B) ... The first champion of this event (2007) hasn't returned since his unsuccessful title defense (T63), but he's coming off a solo second at The ACE Group Classic on the Champions Tour, where he missed just eight greens (in 54 holes) and played his final 33 holes in bogey-free 12-under.

Danger (Yahoo! Group)

Rory Sabbatini (A) ... First time in seven years that he hasn't qualified for the Match Play, which makes him a first-timer this week. Unfortunately, he's one of only three guys in Group A of Yahoo!'s game. Brian Gay is No. 3 in my Power Rankings, and the other is Michael Sim (below). While it's difficult to endorse Sabbatini in any one week, there's really no choice. And he's hardly a Dark Horse given his cachet.

Michael Sim (A) ... Not in a good place right now. Ranks 181st in greens in regulation and 154th in putting.

Carl Pettersson (B) ... His opening 67 at Riviera to co-lead was encouraging, but he faded to a T55 payday. Ranks 144th in greens and 110th in putting. Finished T67 last year in his only career appearance here.

Chad Collins (C) ... Shared fourth place here last year, but has failed to post a top 50 in two paydays of six starts this season. Sits 152nd in greens in regulation.

Chris Stroud (B) ... Since cashing for a T68 at the Bob Hope Classic, he's missed three straight cuts to support his label as a slow starter. Ranks 135th on TOUR in greens in regulation.

Medic! (Yahoo! Group)

Scott Verplank (C) ... First start since withdrawing from the Bob Hope Classic with a wrist injury.

Carl Paulson (n/a) ... First start on the PGA TOUR since July 2005. Out for a serious back injury, he made three starts on the Nationwide Tour last fall. Still has status on the PGA TOUR via a Major Medical Extension in the reshuffle category.

Fran Quinn (n/a) ... Would have earned a tee time at El Camaleon on merit, but has elected to defend his title at the Panama CLARO Championship, which opens the 2011 season on the Nationwide Tour. Has a Major Medical Extension out of the reshuffle category on the PGA TOUR. Incidentally, no Nationwide Tour winner has ever successfully defended a victory. Of course, most winners graduate and don't have the opportunity to defend, but that it's never happened in the history of the circuit is somewhat of a surprise.

Notable WDs (Yahoo! Group)

Ricky Barnes (A) ... Battling a disc injury in his back, at least he was able to play 72 holes at Riviera, despite the T72 finish.