Power Rankings: John Deere Classic

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Given that Paul Goydos opened last year's edition of the John Deere Classic with the fourth 59 in PGA TOUR history, and Steve Stricker posted rounds of 60 and 62 en route to a successful title defense, it won't come as a surprise that TPC Deere Run ranked as the second-easiest par 71 of 11 used in non-majors last year.

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The scoring average of 69.455 was the lowest in the 11-year history of the host track. Its 1,845 combined eagles and birdies ranked third-highest of all courses in 2010. (Sedgefield Country Club totaled 1,860; TPC Summerlin saw 1,855.) Therefore, the objective is very simple -- birdie opportunities. This means that greens in regulation and birdie average are premiums. And since you can't rule out a rogue number such as Goydos' and Stricker's haymakers, guys that have shown a propensity to go low with a hot putter deserve attention as well.

As of midday Monday, 19 in the field of 156 are qualified for next week's British Open. This includes the defending champion, Louis Oosthuizen. And for the fourth consecutive year, tournament organizers have arranged a charter flight to the major.

Seasonable weather is forecast this week. The departure of a storm system on Wednesday will usher in cooler temperatures, but highs will still eclipse 80 degrees throughout the tournament. The threat of rain returns on Sunday. Winds could freshen slightly as the weekend approaches.

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Power Rankings: John Deere Classic

Rank Player   Comment Steve STRICKER Two-time defending champion. In last eight rounds at TPC Deere Run, owns a 6.625 birdie average. Currently No. 1 on TOUR in that stat (4.53). Top 20s in his last seven starts this season, including a victory at the Memorial. Jason DAY Has posted top 10s in five of his last six starts, including runner-up finishes in both majors. Currently 13th on the PGA TOUR in birdie average and eighth in the all-around. Tied for 15th here the last two years. Charles HOWELL III Top 25s in his last four starts, including T3s in the last two -- St. Jude Classic, AT&T National. Ranks 40th on TOUR in greens in regulation and 65th in birdie average. Four top 25s in five starts here dating back to 2000. David TOMS Recorded his first PGA TOUR victory at this event in 1997 (at Oakwood Country Club). Coming off T17 at the Travelers, where he co-led the field in fairways and greens. Ranks second on TOUR in GIR and 18th in birdie average. Zach JOHNSON The native of nearby Cedar Rapids, Iowa has finished inside the top 25 here the last two years, including a T2 in 2009. Coming off a T24 at the Travelers, where he ranked fifth in greens hit and had two runs of five birdies in a row. John ROLLINS Took a week off after sharing runner-up honors at the Travelers, where he ranked T3 in both fairways and greens, finished third in putting and led the field in birdies. It was his second top 10 in three starts. Also 21st on TOUR in GIR. Jonathan BYRD The 2007 champ has made the cut in all seven appearances at TPC Deere Run, including last year's T21, when he ranked T3 in greens hit. Sits 25th on TOUR in GIR and 24th in birdie average. Top 25s in three of his last four non-majors. Chris STROUD Since a wrist injury forced him to withdraw from the St. Jude Classic on June 9, he's posted eight consecutive rounds of par or better and finished T17 (Travelers) and T6 (AT&T National). Led the field in greens in regulation at Aronimink. Steve MARINO Served a reminder in the third round at Aronimink that he can still find a groove, circling nine birdies en route to a 63. Ranks 44th on TOUR in greens in regulation and 28th in birdie average. Seven top 25s in 16 starts this year. Bryce MOLDER After four and a half months without a top 25 in 13 starts during which he also missed 10 cuts, he's posted consecutive top 10s the last two weeks. All of his last eight rounds are par or better. Inside the top 15 in birdies at both tournaments.