Power Rankings: American Family Insurance Championship
2 Min Read
Say cheese!
The Jerry Kelly Open presented by Steve Stricker takes center stage in the Wisconsin capital city for the sixth time since 2016 (no event in 2020).
The Par-72 (7,083 yards) at University Ridge GC has produced exciting finishes over the first five editions with the margin of victory being either one shot or a playoff in the last four seasons.
Debut champion Kirk Triplett posted 17-under, the tournament scoring record, and won by two shots, also the record for margin of victory.
Kelly returns to defend his titles from 2021 and 2019 plus he was runner up in the 2018 edition.
The field of 81 will enjoy three rounds without a cut. On the line this week is a purse of $2.4 million with the winner taking home $360,000.
POWER RANKINGS
| RANK | PLAYER | COMMENT | ||
Just Missed: Ken Tanigawa, Stuart Appleby, Thongchai Jaidee
University Ridge GC
| Yards (per official scorecard): | 7,086 |
| Par: | 72 (36-36) |
| Greens: | 007 Bentgrass; 7,000 square feet on average. |
| Stimpmeter: | 12 feet. |
| Rough: | Kentucky Bluegrass/Fescue at 2.5 inches. |
| Bunkers/Water Hazards | 74/5 (water in play on 7 holes). |
| Architect(s): | Robert Trent Jones, Jr., (1991). |
| Defending Champion: | Jerry Kelly (-14) |
| Tournament Course Record (last): | 63; Steve Flesch (2021). |
| Tournament Scoring Record (course): | 201; Kirk Triplett (-17), 2016. |
The 2021 edition was the first of five to post a scoring average of over 71.00 as temperatures reached the upper 80s and low 90s. The previous four events ranked inside the bottom half in most difficult courses used on PGATOUR Champions
| Course Rankings | Yards | Scoring Average |
| 2021: 16th most difficult of 40 used. | 7,083 | 71.863 |
| 2019: 24 of 27 | 7,083 | 70.825 |
| 2018: 22 of 26 | 7,056 | 70.379 |
| 2017: 17 of 26 | 7,024 | 70.957 |
| 2016: 24 of 26 | 7,056 | 70.053 |
The 2021 edition was also the fifth consecutive tournament where the 54-hole leader could not close the deal.
No lead is safe as FIVE Par-5 holes offer scoring chances to offset FIVE Par-3 holes that all stretch 190 yards or more. Other scoring chances will come on four Par-4 holes that don't reach 400 yards.
There's plenty of room to move it off the tee this week as 32 acres of fairway allows the sprinkler line a week off.
The 007 Bentgrass greens provide large targets and should be able to be reached even from the Bluegrass/Fescue rough. The surfaces running at 12 feet will see plenty of putts get to the hole keeping scores lower.
The pressure this week will be to keep up as just short of 15-under (5-under each round) is the average winning score over the first five editions.
The course record, 63, has been set in every event hosted since 2016 so don't be surprised if that is equaled or a new record established, as long as Mother Nature is cooperating.
Rain Tuesday night and Wednesday should soften the track before cool temperatures kick off tournament play on Friday. Mid 70s will be on the menu for the weekend with partly cloudy skies making conditions more than comfortable.
No tournament next week as the Senior US Open heads to Saucon Valley in two weeks for the third major championship of the season.
Recent Winners - University Ridge GC
| Year | Winner | Score | Comment |
| 2021 | Jerry Kelly | -14 | Came from two shots off the lead on Sunday to defend his title. |
| 2019 | Jerry Kelly | -15 | Defeated Retief Goosen and Steve Stricker in a three-hole playoff. |
| 2018 | Scott McCarron | -15 | Only player to beat Jerry Kelly in the last three events here. |
| 2017 | Fred Couples | -15 | Made up a three-shot deficit to win by two. |
| 2016 | Kirk Triplett | -17 | Fired a final round 65 to win by two; trailed by three after 36 holes. |
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out through Twitter or email me at mikeglasscott@gmail.com.