Power Rankings: PGA Championship

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Aug. 10, 2010
By Rob Bolton, PGATOUR.COM Fantasy Columnist

The PGA Championship returns to Whistling Straits this week. It first hosted this major in 2004, when Vijay Singh outlasted Chris DiMarco and Justin Leonard in a playoff. The venue will also be the site of the 2015 PGA and 2020 Ryder Cup.

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There are 36 holes on site -- the Straits Course and Irish Course -- but only the Straits is in play this week. A few changes have been made since '04, most notably the addition of a 300-yard carry/shute along the left side of the par-4 18th hole, aka "Dyeabolical." Because of the rolling landscape, narrow fairways, 967 bunkers and tricky greens, there isn't one perfect profile of a competitor in the field. Total driving, sand saves and putting are at a premium, and help form this week's feature. One constant is clear, however. Players cannot fall back on their heels and coast at any time.

After several days under fire, the threat of bad weather exits Sheboygan for the opening round, which forecasts to be dry and seasonably warm in the mid-80s. The risk of rain and boomers re-enters the frame on Friday and Saturday. Sunday looks to be safe now. The high temperatures will fade into the low-80s on the weekend. Wind is always a factor along the lake, but it might not be a noticeable variable until Saturday.

Power Rankings: PGA Championship

Rank	Player		Comment
		Rory McILROY	One of two under par each day at Firestone (with Bo Van Pelt), where he placed T9 and ranked ninth in putting. Has three top-10s in eight starts in majors, including a T3 at Hazeltine last year and T3 at St. Andrews last month.
		Hunter MAHAN	Won the Bridgestone Invitational by two with a bogey-free 64 on Sunday -- and led the field in putting and birdies. Also leads the TOUR in total driving and sits 24th in greens hit.
		Steve STRICKER	The Wisconsinite failed to qualify for the 2004 PGA. Now fourth in the world ranking, he's coming off a T9 at Firestone, leading the field in greens hit. Currently 24th on TOUR in fairways hit, sixth in putting, and seventh in the all-around.
		Retief GOOSEN	His T3 at Firestone was his co-leading eighth top-10 of the year on TOUR (Matt Kuchar also has eight). Goosen missed the '04 PGA due to a fractured pelvis. Ranks 12th in total driving, 22nd in the all-around and seventh in bogey avoidance.
		Padraig HARRINGTON	Earns his way back into this feature via his consecutive top-10s (2nd, 3 Irish Open; T9, Bridgestone Invitational). Finished 10th in putting at Firestone. Overall, he's 22nd on TOUR in putting and 41st in sand saves.
		Matt KUCHAR	Finished T9 at Firestone despite a closing 73. Ranked T3 in greens hit for the week. No one's been more consisent -- four top-10s in his last six starts and No. 1 in the all-around ranking.
		Dustin JOHNSON	Four top-15s in his last six starts supports the trend, but Whistling Straits could be his playground. He's third in distance off the tee and 25th in the all-around. His more recent numbers point to a significant improvement.
		Jim FURYK	Gotta expect the 40-year-old to contend, but can't pit him as the eventual champ due to his lack of distance off the tee. Comes in following two top-10s. Shot 64 in final round at Firestone despite two bogeys.
		Jeff OVERTON	Stuart Appleby's 59 at The Greenbrier bothered Overton so much that he went out and finished T6 in Ohio, his fourth straight top-11 payday. Ranked T2 at Firestone in birdies, T6 in putting, T7 in greens, and 12th in fairways. Sits third in the all-around on TOUR.
		Phil MICKELSON	Sunday's 78 (six GIR, 32 putts) at Firestone was a mess. He's employing a shorter/heavier driver, which should help with accuracy. But it didn't at Firestone. Still, as he's proven, the greatest players rise in the most challenging conditions.