Power Rankings: WGC-Cadillac Championship

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Don't be fooled. TPC Blue Monster at Doral is more like the man behind the curtain in "The Wizard of Oz" than its name implies.

In each of its four years as host of the World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship, TPC Blue Monster has ranked easiest in relation to par of the four courses on the Florida Swing. Of the 22 par 72s in non-majors last year, it ranked 13th at 71.235.

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While it's one of the most difficult on TOUR in terms of finding the fairway off the tee -- inside the top 10 every year -- and it sat 14th in greens in regulation in 2010, the field knows that it can score on what are some of the easiest greens on the schedule. The track was seventh-easiest in putting in each of the last two years. This allows for aggressive play with irons and the putter.

Given that the field is just 69 deep, Thursday's threat of inclement weather will be more of a nuisance than a practical challenge. And then once we're into Friday, nothing but sunny and dry conditions are expected for the remainder. Winds will blow a bit, rotating from the south on Thursday to the north-northeast on Friday, and then easterly for the weekend, but they are not expected to howl like they did at PGA National last week.

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Power Rankings: WGC-Cadillac Championship

Rank Player   Comment Martin KAYMER The world's top-ranked golfer is coming off a loss to Luke Donald in the Match Play final, so he's had a week to rest. Finished T3 last year at Doral. Ranks 21st on the European Tour in greens, 28th in putting and 12th in scoring average. Matt KUCHAR Finished T17 at the Honda, ranking T5 in greens hit. Overall, he's 20th on TOUR in GIR, 20th in putting, fifth in the all-around and fifth in bogey avoidance. Placed T3 here last year, leading the field in fairways. Graeme McDOWELL Capped off a T6 at the Honda with a bogey-free 64. Polished off a T6 here last year with a bogey-free 66. Leads the PGA TOUR in adjusted scoring average, ball-striking, sand saves, the all-around and bogey avoidance. Nick WATNEY Four top 10s to start 2011. Ranks second on TOUR in adjusted scoring average, fifth in birdie average, first in scrambling and second in bogey avoidance. Opened his solo second here in 2009 bogey-free 15-under on first 46 holes. Bill HAAS Four six-figure paydays in five stroke-play events in 2011. In only career start here, placed T6 last year; ranked T2 in greens and birdies. Currently third on TOUR in GIR, sixth in birdie average and third in the all-around. Steve STRICKER Getting bounced from Match Play in first round is insignificant. Ranks eighth on TOUR in greens in regulation, fourth in the all-around and second in scrambling. Three top 20s here since 2008, including a T16 last year. Charl SCHWARTZEL Coming off a T14 at the Honda, where he was one of just four under par in three rounds; ranked fifth in putting. Had arrived at PGA National with five consecutive top 10s in stroke-play events. Runner-up here last year. Paul CASEY Two top 10s here since the WGC label was attached at Doral in 2007, including a T6 last year, when he ranked fifth in putting. Only stroke-play start on the PGA TOUR in 2011 resulted in a T12 at the Northern Trust. Ben CRANE Three top 25s in as many stroke-play starts this year. Sits sixth on TOUR in greens in regulation, eighth in birdie average, eighth in the all-around and T14 in bogey avoidance. Hunter MAHAN Two top 10s in stroke-play starts in 2011. Overall, he's hitting more greens, but requiring fewer putts. Scrambling percentage (61.90) has also eclipsed 59.00 for the first time in his career; currently 54th on TOUR.