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Power Rankings: AT&T Byron Nelson
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May 25, 2015
By Rob Bolton, PGATOUR.COM
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Dustin Johnson has at least one victory in each of the last eight PGA TOUR Seasons. (Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
This week's AT&T Byron Nelson presents an interesting matchup of opposite trends. Both are consistently strong, just how the namesake of the tournament conducted himself on and off the golf course.
On one side, four of the last five champions at TPC Four Seasons Resort-Las Colinas were first-time winners on the PGA TOUR. This includes Brendon Todd who defends this week. On the other, none of the last 12 winners this season are first-timers. It's the longest drought since non-winners rode an 0-for-13 skid in July-October of 2012.
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If we're going to witness a breakthrough this week, it's likely going to be authored by a hot putter. Brendon Todd added his name to a series of recent champs that filled the cup all week long. He ranked T55 in greens in regulation (43 of 72) but first in both scrambling and strokes gained: putting. It didn't hurt that he also led the field in fairways hit (44 of 56), but that's more fact than friction.
At +0.546 strokes to par, TPC Four Seasons was the second-hardest par 70 of 13 in non-majors last season. It can stretch to 7,166 yards. Overall, it ranked T15 in par-4 scoring but T42 and 30th in par-3 and par-5 scoring. Todd polished off his two-stroke win slotted second in both par-3 and par-4 scoring, while finishing a pedestrian T47 in par-5 scoring.
The inclement weather that saturated Colonial Country Club last week imparted greater damage at TPC Four Seasons, but the course will be ready for the tournament. Unfortunately, the weather pattern extends through the week. It's almost certain that rain and storms will roll through, so timing and location will once again be critical. Temperatures in the 80s will be accompanied by moderate breezes that are a staple of this event. Sunday's forecast calls for a secondary wind out of the north, so that may add a wrinkle to the proceedings.
POWER RANKINGS: AT&T Byron Nelson Championship
Rank Player Comment 1 
Jason Day UPDATE: Jason Day withdrew from the AT&T Byron Nelson on Wednesday.
2 
Marc Leishman Settled for a T27 at Colonial with a pair of 70s on the weekend. Five top-12 finishes in six appearances at TPC Four Seasons; T3s in 2012 and 2014.
Settled for a T27 at Colonial with a pair of 70s on the weekend. Five top-12 finishes in six appearances at TPC Four Seasons; T3s in 2012 and 2014.
3 
Dustin Johnson First start since THE PLAYERS (T69). Top 20s in last four trips to TPC Four Seasons (T7, 2014) with an actual scoring average of 68.375.
First start since THE PLAYERS (T69). Top 20s in last four trips to TPC Four Seasons (T7, 2014) with an actual scoring average of 68.375.
4 
Gary Woodland Focus of converging trends. Runner-up at Match Play and T4 at Quail Hollow. Five straight paydays at TPC Four Seasons; personal-best T7 last year.
Focus of converging trends. Runner-up at Match Play and T4 at Quail Hollow. Five straight paydays at TPC Four Seasons; personal-best T7 last year.
5 
Jordan Spieth Fifth appearance and still in pursuit of first top 15 in his hometown event. But two wins and three seconds in his last eight starts this season.
Fifth appearance and still in pursuit of first top 15 in his hometown event. But two wins and three seconds in his last eight starts this season.
6 
Justin Thomas Making his debut. Top 25s in his last four starts, including a T7 in his most recent at Quail Hollow. Ranks fourth in the all-around.
Making his debut. Top 25s in his last four starts, including a T7 in his most recent at Quail Hollow. Ranks fourth in the all-around.
7 
Charley Hoffman He's finished a respective T11, T11 and T10 in the three stops in Texas this season. Led Colonial in strokes gained: tee-to-green. T8 is his last start here (2013).
He's finished a respective T11, T11 and T10 in the three stops in Texas this season. Led Colonial in strokes gained: tee-to-green. T8 is his last start here (2013).
8 
Ian Poulter UPDATE: Ian Poulter withdrew from the AT&T Byron Nelson on Wednesday
UPDATE: Ian Poulter withdrew from the AT&T Byron Nelson on Wednesday
9 
Brandt Snedeker Connected four sub-70s for a T2 at Colonial, easily his best finish since winning at Pebble Beach. Putting was on point last week.
Connected four sub-70s for a T2 at Colonial, easily his best finish since winning at Pebble Beach. Putting was on point last week.
10 
Matt Kuchar Always a threat, but truly a horse for a course. Top 15s in three of the last four editions. Currently fifth in scrambling and T3 in par-4 scoring.
Always a threat, but truly a horse for a course. Top 15s in three of the last four editions. Currently fifth in scrambling and T3 in par-4 scoring.
11 
Jerry Kelly Top 25s in his last four starts, capped by a T10 at Colonial. T1 in par-3 scoring, fourth in scrambling, 29th in strokes gained: putting. T21 here last year.
Top 25s in his last four starts, capped by a T10 at Colonial. T1 in par-3 scoring, fourth in scrambling, 29th in strokes gained: putting. T21 here last year.
12 
Zach Johnson First appearance at TPC Four Seasons in 10 years. Continues to grind through putting woes. Top 20s in six of his last seven starts.
First appearance at TPC Four Seasons in 10 years. Continues to grind through putting woes. Top 20s in six of his last seven starts.
13 
Keegan Bradley Followed an early exit at the Match Play with a missed cut at TPC Sawgrass, but won here in 2011 and finished second in 2013.
Followed an early exit at the Match Play with a missed cut at TPC Sawgrass, but won here in 2011 and finished second in 2013.
14 
Brendon Todd Defending champ placed T17 the year prior, so he was already trending. Scuffling lately but he shines where TPC Four Seasons rewards.
Defending champ placed T17 the year prior, so he was already trending. Scuffling lately but he shines where TPC Four Seasons rewards.
15 
John Huh Rode an eight-birdie 64 on Sunday at Colonial to 18th place. Placed T8 here in 2013 and T16 in 2014. Ranks 23rd in strokes gained: putting.
Rode an eight-birdie 64 on Sunday at Colonial to 18th place. Placed T8 here in 2013 and T16 in 2014. Ranks 23rd in strokes gained: putting.
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UPDATE: Jason Day withdrew from the AT&T Byron Nelson on Wednesday.