Fantasy Insider: Ranking rest of the Sony Open field

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Welcome to Fantasy Insider by Rob Bolton Version 2.0. OK, so that doesn't necessarily roll of the tongue, but the point is made.

This feature has taken on a new look. The adjusted focus is on specific value, which transcends fantasy formats. But don't fret, Yahoo! gamers, as every golfer is tagged with his Group letter for your game.

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SONY OPEN

Round 1 Tee Times
Inside the Field
Inside the Course
Power Rankings
ShotLink: Waialae

First, note "Power Rankings Plus." These are the last five that hit the cutting-room floor on Monday. Immediately below this quintet is a separation via Yahoo! group of the 10 from the Power Rankings and five from Power Rankings Plus.

Next, I'll lay out five dark horses for the week. Similarly, look for five (or more) that you may want to avoid in "Danger." Then, with a nod to knowledge of those playing with or returning from injuries, "Medic!" will get you up to speed there.

Finally, if there are any, "Notable WDs" will recap needle-movers that originally committed to the tournament but backed out. I'll add knowledge and/or opinion when possible and where relevant.

As explained last week, my Yahoo! picks will get posted here every week. So will my one-and-done and duffer picks. (For an explanation on both of these, see my 2011 fantasy golf primer.

That brings me to the situation that forced Geoff Ogilvy to withdraw last week from the Hyundai Tournament of Champions. After his injury was publicized but before he withdrew, I moved him from my one-and-done to my duffer pick, bumping Derek Lamely. Ogilvy then withdrew, forcing a replacement in the duffer, so I reinserted Lamely. So, if you're playing against me at home, work or the grill room, Ogilvy is still on my board.

Power Rankings Plus
11. John Senden ... Forgettable record at Waialae -- 2-for-7 with a career-best T20 in 2007. However, in his last 10 starts worldwide (dating back to The Barclays), he has eight top 15s, including in his last three. Led the PGA TOUR in 2010 in greens hit and placed third in ball-striking.

12. Bo Van Pelt ... Hasn't played since the Fall Series, which he capped with a T6 at The McGladrey and T2 at the Frys.com. Ranked 16th on TOUR in ball-striking in 2010. He's missed his last three cuts here, but has two top 15s in nine appearances.

13. Heath Slocum ... Two top 20s in his last three starts at Waialae, including a T10 in 2008. Ranked sixth on TOUR in 2010 in fairways hit and 36th in ball-striking. Ignore the result (T28) at Kapalua last week.

14. Rory Sabbatini ... Famous for hanging out in Hawaii for weeks at this time of year. Pair of runner-up finishes in his last five starts at this event. First start anywhere since concluding the 2010 PGA TOUR season with a T12 at Disney.

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15. Ryan Palmer ... The defending champ hadn't posted a top 25 in his previous four starts here until the victory. For the week, he ranked T3 in greens hit and eighth in putting. Overall, he sat 10th on the PGA TOUR in putting in 2010. Suffered just five bogeys (nothing worse) en route to a T15 at Kapalua last week.

Power Rankings Distribution for Yahoo! (rank)
Group A ... Jim Furyk (2), Ernie Els (7), K.J. Choi (8), Jonathan Byrd (9), Heath Slocum (13), Rory Sabbatini (14)

Group B ... Steve Stricker (1), Robert Allenby (3), Carl Pettersson (4), Tim Clark (6), Spencer Levin (10), John Senden (11), Bo Van Pelt (12)

Group C ... Charles Howell III (5), Ryan Palmer (15)

Dark Horse (Yahoo! Group)
Jerry Kelly (C) ... Before withdrawing from last year's event with what turned out to be a problem with a facet joint in his back, he posted four straight top 25s at the Sony. His first of three PGA TOUR victories occurred here in 2002, and he ranked 13th on TOUR last year in fairways hit. A comfy fit.

Joe Durant (C) ... With its Bermuda greens, and since ball-striking is rewarded, Waialae is the kind of track on which you'd expect him to flourish. He has four top 20s in 13 starts here, and ranked second on the 2010 PGA TOUR in fairways hit and third in greens. Fully exempt for the first time since 2008, too. As usual, he just needs a hot putter.

Nathan Green (C) ... Three top 15s in his last five starts here, including a T12 in 2009 and T12 in 2010. Penciled in just eight bogeys (and nothing worse) in each effort. This may very well be the Aussie's best track. And remember, despite finishing 144th in earnings last year, he's fully exempt via his victory at the 2009 Canadian Open.

Paul Stankowski (C) ... Second of two PGA TOUR wins was at the 1997 edition of this event. In 18 starts last year, ranked eighth on TOUR in ball-striking and 26th in putting. For long-time fantasy gamers (like me), it's a welcome sight for Stanko to be back on TOUR full-time.

Charles Warren (C) ... In the field via his top 10 at Disney in November. First appearance at the Sony since sharing seventh place in 2006. Led the PGA TOUR last year in ball-striking, which might surprise some that associate him only with his clout off the tee. Posted two top 10s in his last three Fall Series starts to secure conditional status for 2011.

Danger (Yahoo! Group)
Matt Kuchar (A) ... Crazy as it sounds, while he's one of the hottest in the game right now, it's a great week to leave him alone. Waialae was site of one of just two missed cuts in 2010 (Quail Hollow was the other), and he's missed the cut six times in eight appearances. Granted, Kuchar is a different talent than he was even as recently as two years ago, and he's coming off a T6 at Kapalua, but you'll get other chances all year long.

D.J. Trahan (B) ... Coming off a career-high seven top 10s for a single season, and he ranked ninth in ball-striking in 2010; however, he hasn't sold me yet at Waialae, where he's failed to record a top 30 in six starts. I love his overall direction, but I'm also sitting on my hands this week.

Steve Marino (A) ... Two top 10s in three starts here portends an investment, and he wrapped up 2010 with two top 15s in his last three starts, but he regressed across the board last year. He plays enough for you to observe only this week.

Chad Collins (C) ... With a pair of top 25s in as many appearances, he would appear to be a lock, but his last of three top 10s in 2010 occurred in mid-March, after which time he sputtered his way to 119th on the money list. Also ranked 186th on TOUR in ball-striking, worst among all returning TOUR members in this field.

Jamie Lovemark (C) ... Making his first start at Waialae. The expectations are almost unfair, and he's trying to follow Rickie Fowler and Rory McIlroy, so it's only right to cut him a little slack and let him come to you. Waialae tends to penalize first-timers, too. He'll get his eventually.

Medic! (Yahoo! Group)
Zach Johnson (C) ... Toughed out a T23 at Kapalua with a hole in his right shoe to alleviate pressure and pain in his toe injured in a fall in Grand Cayman. Without the malady, he'd have snuck into my Power Rankings Plus, given that he won here in 2009, placed T12 last year and has maintained an above-average level of consistency for months.

Chris Kirk (B) ... First start since breaking a bone in his left thumb in October. He's posted videos of his swing recently on Twitter, and his long-term projection is superb, but allow him a week to dust off the rust and put the digit back in play for real.

Peter Tomasulo (none) ... Just a note to take notice of his gait this week. He broke a bone in his right foot on Oct. 6, but still competed in the Nationwide Tour Championship, albeit with a sandal and a cane.

Notable WDs (Yahoo! Group)
Dustin Johnson (A) ... Announced his intent to withdraw while in Maui, citing personal reasons. The silver lining is that he's not injured.

Brett Wetterich (C) ... With just one start remaining on his Major Medical Extension to earn $220,405, he needs to choose wisely. No surprise that he pulled out given his 0-for-4 record at Waialae.

Rob Bolton is PGATOUR.COM's fantasy columnist. His views do not necessarily reflect those of the PGA TOUR. To contact Rob, please e-mail him at FantasyInsider@charter.net.