Power Rankings: Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open

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Sep. 28, 2011
By Rob Bolton, PGATOUR.COM Fantasy Columnist

For the first time in the five-year history of the Fall Series, the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open leads off. In fact, this is the earliest the tournament has been held since a five-year stint in the spring ended in 1989. The first two of its 28 editions were in September of 1983 and 1984.

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It's also an event that hasn't been afraid to evolve. While undergoing six name changes isn't unusual, it's also been subject to a handful of radical adjustments. It was reduced from a 90-hole contest to the more traditional 72-hole affair in 2004. Only since 2008 has TPC Summerlin served as a singular host after 25 years with a smattering of accompanying courses in the rota. And most recently, the host track has just two years under its belt as a par 71, this after converting the once par-5 third hole into a par-4.

Yet, despite the activity surrounding the framework and the reduction of par, it hasn't slowed down scoring. TPC Summerlin has been the easiest par 71 on the PGA TOUR in each of the last two years; its scoring average in 2010 was 68.956. The large greens, which average over 7,500 square feet, have predictably ranked inside the top-five easiest to hit in regulation since 2008. This is all about piling up birdie opportunities and going low.

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While Jonathan Byrd made history with his walk-off hole-in-one in the three-man playoff a year ago, one of the two men he defeated, Cameron Percy, had first-hand experience with the one bona fide challenge TPC Summerlin offers: saving par from bunkers. Percy went 0-for-3 from the sand to underscore the fact that the course has ranked inside the top 10 most difficult in sandies in each of the last five years. By comparison, Byrd was 5-for-6 while the other victim of Byrd's ace, Martin Laird, went 3-for-5.

Finally, because it will be a shootout, it opens the door for a first-time winner to emerge victorious. Byrd's triumph ended a streak of six consecutive breakthroughs, four of which were recorded by rookies.

Sunshine will rule in the desert this week. Save a chance of inclement weather on the weekend, it will be partly cloudy at worst. High temperatures will have no problem rising well into the 90s although a slight cooling is expected with the threat of rain. Winds will be moderate on Thursday and Friday.

Power Rankings: Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open

Rank	Player		Comment
		Ryan MOORE	The UNLV product sneaks in following a pair of top-20s at the Deutsche Bank and BMW. Shared the field-low in the final round at Cog Hill with a 66. He's 5-for-5 at the JT Shriners with a T7 in his last appearance in 2009. Ranks 32nd in adjusted scoring.
		Nick WATNEY	The Vegas resident arrives after a disappointing Playoff run, but he has a pair of T6s in six starts here, including last year when he carded only three bogeys all week. Currently 52nd on the PGA TOUR in greens hit and sixth in adjusted scoring.
		Kyle STANLEY	One of three to post top 25s in each of the first three Playoff events and not advance to East Lake, but it's an indication of how well he's been striking it. Ranks 27th on TOUR in greens, 39th in adjusted scoring and 14th in the all-around.
		George MCNEILL	The 2007 champion of this event has top 15s in all four appearances. As a result, he's third in all-time earnings here. Four top 10s this season, including a pair of runner-up finishes. Ranks 55th on TOUR in adjusted scoring average.
		Spencer LEVIN	Shared fourth place here last year and ranked T10 in greens hit. Also played his final 55 holes in bogey-free 19-under. Four top-10s and seven more top-25s in 2011. Sits 41st on TOUR in greens in regulation and 14th in adjusted scoring.
		Martin LAIRD	In his title defense here last year, he was foiled by Jonathan Byrd in a playoff. Laird has averaged 66.00 strokes in his last eight rounds at TPC Summerlin. Coming off a T12 at the BMW. Ranks 56th on TOUR in greens and 38th in adjusted scoring.
		Cameron TRINGALE	Tough run in Playoffs, during which he failed to record a top 30 in three starts, but he has four top-10s this year and ranks 43rd in greens in regulation. His T11 here last year matched a career-best finish at the time. Carded only five bogeys all week.
		Chad CAMPBELL	Another former Runnin' Rebel fits the course profile like a glove. He's fifth in greens in regulation and 32nd in adjusted scoring. Finished T3 here in 2008 and T2 in 2009. Has three top 25s in six starts since the British Open.
		Scott PIERCY	Co-led this event after 54 holes in 2009 before settling for a share of 14th place due to a closing 73. Returned last year and finished T28 with four rounds of 68 or lower. Broke through in Nevada for his first PGA TOUR victory last month in Reno.
		Chez REAVIE	Seemingly ran out of gas at THE TOUR Championship, where he closed with a 74 to finish T26. Hit only eight GIR on Sunday. However, the Scottsdale resident is 20th on TOUR in greens hit and has top 10s in three of his last five starts.