Power Rankings: CIMB Asia Pacific Classic

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Oct. 24, 2011
By Rob Bolton, PGATOUR.COM Fantasy Columnist

With the official 2011 PGA TOUR schedule in the books, the focus now hops continents beginning with the second edition of the CIMB Asia Pacific Classic Malaysia. The field has expanded by eight to 48, but once again there is no cut and the Mines Resort and Golf Club returns as host.

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In its debut last year, only one golfer failed to finish in red figures at the par-71 Robert Trent Jones Jr. design.

The scoring average was 68.606 which, if included among official TOUR stops, would have ranked as the easiest par-71 since 2007. Half of the field of 40 completed 72 holes double digits under par.

Ben Crane snared a share of the lead after two rounds and didn't relinquish it, emerging with a one-stroke victory over Brian Davis.

Both recorded two eagles on the back nine during the tournament. Crane twice eagled the drivable, par-4 15th hole, including on Sunday when he buried an eight-footer.

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Davis took the more conventional route with 3s on the par-5 17th in the final two rounds. Meanwhile, to help illustrate the premium on attacking pins, Luke Donald shared third place, two strokes off Crane's pace (18-under 266), despite leading the field in birdies (23) and swallowing only four bogeys all week.

Customarily hot and humid weather will blanket the equatorial region all week. High temperatures will crack 90 degrees with the heat index hitting triple digits on Friday and possibly Saturday. A reasonable chance of afternoon rain and thunderstorms also exists throughout. Light winds will do nothing to help take the edge off sweltering conditions.

Power Rankings: CIMB Asia Pacific Classic Malaysia

Rank	Player		Comment
		Jason DUFNER	Might benefit most with no cut. In last eight starts in which he's played four rounds, he has seven top-15s, including his last start at The TOUR Championship (T13). Ranked 52nd on the PGA TOUR in both greens in regulation and birdie average.
		Bo VAN PELT	Chalked up two top-10s in the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup. Finished 34th on the PGA TOUR in greens hit and 74th in birdie average. Also ranked 10th in the all-around, best among the TOUR members in the field.
		Angel CABRERA	Took a week off after sharing sixth place at The McGladrey Classic, his best result on the PGA TOUR in 2011. Completed the season 34th on TOUR in birdie average. Shared fourth place at the 1999 World Cup at the Mines Resort; finished T3 on his own ball.
		Ben CRANE	The defending champion is back in action since an epic conclusion at The McGladrey Classic, where he circled birdies in eight of his last 11 holes in regulation. Then went home to be with his wife for the birth of the couple's third child the next day.
		Vijay SINGH	Relatively sneaky season on the PGA TOUR, with one second, two thirds and a fourth to help him place 28th on the money list. Finished 63rd in greens hit and 42nd in birdie average. First professional win was at 1984 Malaysian PGA Championship.
		Camilo VILLEGAS	After enduring a largely forgettable season, the Colombian capped it with three top-10s in his last four starts, banking nearly 60 percent of his earnings in that span. Ranked T1 and T2 in birdie average at the Deutsche Bank and BMW, respectively.
		Carl PETTERSSON	Started the final round here last year alone in second place two strokes back of the lead, and then shot 73 to finish T15. Circled 21 birdies on the week. Top 20s in each of his last three starts this season, including a T5 at the JT Shriners.
		Brandt SNEDEKER	Finished eighth in the FedExCup Playoffs, tops of the PGA TOUR members in this field. He's currently 27th in the world ranking, also best of the 48 participants. Posted seven top 10s and ranked 29th on TOUR in birdie average.
		Spencer LEVIN	Teed it up in each of the final seven events for which he was eligible and posted a pair of top 10s to start the Fall Series. Should thoroughly enjoy firing at flags all week. Ranked 35th on TOUR in greens in regulation and 74th in birdie average.
		Chez REAVIE	Finally cooled after a torrid stretch to finish the summer, but he's now rested since missing the cut at Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. Ranked 26th on the PGA TOUR in greens in regulation and 27th in birdie average.