Power Rankings: RBC Canadian Open

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Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2011, which is why it is hosting this year's edition of the RBC Canadian Open. The historic venue nestled against the Strait of Georgia in Vancouver, British Columbia, is the sternest of tests.

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When the PGA TOUR last visited in September of 2005 -- its third trip (1948, 1966) -- the weather was ideal, but this par 70 measuring 7,010 yards registered a scoring average of 72.53, making it the most difficult non-major of the year. Mark Calcavecchia won with an aggregate 5-under 275. Only eight others completed 72 holes under par, including co-runner-up Ryan Moore, who is featured below.

Since comprehensive records of individual holes were first kept in 1983, the first hole at Shaughnessy remains the most difficult opener on any course for a non-major through today. The 475-yard par-4 averaged 4.478 strokes. Of the 454 times played that week, there were only 22 birdies and nothing better. Bogeys or worse accounted for over 45 percent of the scores. Overall, the track ranked seventh in fairways hit, second in greens in regulation, T9 in putting and third in birdie average. (The higher the ranking, the more difficult the challenge.)

Thanks to rain last weekend and more on the way, the field of 156 will be greeted with receptive greens, which feature Poa annua grass and average only 4,200 square feet. They're also quite undulating. Therefore, given the factors, veteran ball-strikers should emerge this week. Bogey avoidance also plays a significant role.

A weather forecast free of scattered showers in this neck of the woods is the exception, but the norm will rule this week. Cloudy, cool and sometimes rainy conditions are expected every day but Saturday, and even that's no guarantee. Winds will be light.

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Power Rankings: RBC Canadian Open

Rank Player   Comment Matt KUCHAR Missed cut at the British Open ended his consecutive cuts made streak at 29, but he has eight top 10s in 16 starts this year. Currently 26th on TOUR in ball-striking and third in both bogey avoidance and the all-around. Placed T14 here in 2005. Charl SCHWARTZEL First-timer in this event keeps on truckin'. Finished T16 at the British to go 10-for-10 on the year with seven top 25s. Ranks 28th on the PGA TOUR in ball-striking, seventh in scoring average and 18th in the all-around. Luke DONALD Despite a T45 at the U.S. Open and missed cut at the British, can't forget that he won in Scotland two weeks ago. He's 36th on TOUR in fairways hit, 70th in GIR and 17th in bogey avoidance, but he doesn't need stats for an endorsement. Ryan MOORE About as home game as it gets for the Seattle-area native, who shared runner-up honors here in 2005; shot par or better in every round. Prior to his T28 at the British Open, he tied for second at the Travelers. Bo VAN PELT Form over profile. While he owns a spotty record on Poa greens, he has five top 15s in his last six starts upon arrival. Ranks 11th on TOUR in ball-striking and 10th in the all-around. Still overcoming a relatively slow start to the season. Anthony KIM After three months without a top 50, he shared fifth place at the British Open to earn a return trip to the major next year. Played his final 28 holes at Royal St. George's in 4 under. Missed last year's Canadian while recovering from thumb surgery. Rickie FOWLER Coming off a share of fifth place at the British Open, his best of the year. Finished T13 at the AT&T National. Still struggling in the final rounds of tournaments, and his ball-striking and bogey avoidance splits are unimpressive, but he's trending. Spencer LEVIN Hard to overlook his 10 top 25s in 21 starts, including a T4 at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, which is played on tiny greens with Poa grass. Ranks 39th on TOUR in ball-striking and T10 in bogey avoidance. John MERRICK Before a forgettable solo 59th at the John Deere, posted three consecutive top 15s. Has missed just two cuts in 12 starts on conditional status. The southern California native ranks sixth in ball-striking and ninth in bogey avoidance. Brian GAY Took week off after finishing T9 at the John Deere, his third top 10 of the year. Just 2-for-10 in Canada, but a good fit here. He's second on TOUR in fairways and seventh in bogey avoidance. Also has solid track record on courses with small greens.