Power Rankings: Viking Classic

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After four years in the Fall Series, the Viking Classic joins the FedExCup portion of the schedule. A July date isn't new to the tournament, however. From its first year as an official event in 1994 through 1998, it was played opposite the British Open just as it is this week. Before that, it was an unofficial outing played opposite the Masters in April.

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Jack Nicklaus-designed Annandale Golf Club has been the host since '94, and its greens are already receiving rave reviews this week. For example, Richard S. Johnson tweeted the following midday on Monday: "Annandale golf course is in great shape! Best Bermuda greens I've ever seen in the summer."

With potentially damp conditions (explained below), greens could be soft, which means they're going to be targets. Without dry turf, Annandale is vulnerable, perhaps as much as a full stroke in relation to par. Therefore, the list below features guys that see more birdie opportunities than the majority of field. Recent form and experience in the event play their usual parts.

Sweltering conditions will test the stamina of the 132 in this field. Daytime highs will reach the low to mid 90s. The threat of rain and thunderstorms throughout will be a result of high humidity. And there will be no relief, as winds are expected to be calm.

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Power Rankings: Viking Classic

Rank Player   Comment Chris KIRK Made his pro debut here in 2007, but missed the cut. Now in his rookie year, has five top-25s, including his last two starts. Led the field in putting at Aronimink two weeks ago. Ranks 49th on TOUR in greens hit and 52nd in adjusted scoring. John SENDEN Three top-15s here in his last five appearances, including a tie for 11th last year during a blistering Fall Series. Has nine top-25s this season, the most recent a seventh at the Memorial. Ranks 12th on TOUR in greens hit. Heath SLOCUM Won the second of his four PGA TOUR events here in 2005. Has missed the cut just once in nine trips. Followed a tie for 11th at the U.S. Open at Congressional with a tie for 17th the next week at the Travelers. Sits third on TOUR in fairways, sixth in greens. Brendon DE JONGE Ended his schneid with a share of seventh at the John Deere where he played in the final group on Sunday (and shot 74). Ranks 42nd on the PGA TOUR in adjusted scoring average. Tied for third here last year. Chez REAVIE Coming off a share of fifth at the John Deere, his second top-five of the year (Colonial). Carded a 62 in his second round at TPC Deere Run; ranked tied for sixth in greens hit and fifth in putting for the week. Currently 26th on TOUR in greens hit. Chris STROUD Might have sat atop this feature with a better finish at the John Deere, but he shot 76-74 on the weekend. Before that, finished tied for 17th at the Travelers and tied for sixth at the AT&T National. Shared fifth place here last year. Johnson WAGNER Two top-10s here in as many appearances, including a runner-up in his rookie year of 2007. Four consecutive cuts made upon arrival, including a tie for 17th at the Travelers. Ranks 69th on TOUR in greens hit and 52nd in adjusted scoring. D.J. TRAHAN He's the most recent first-time winner of this event (2006). Also shared third place here last year. Posted top-20s twice in June. Ranks 42nd on TOUR in greens in regulation and 61st in adjusted scoring average. Kris BLANKS Has been showing glimmers for weeks with mixed results. Recorded his third top-25 in his last seven starts with a tie for 12th at the John Deere where he ranked tied for 22nd in greens hit and tied for 10th in putting. Had just one bogey on final 30 holes. Troy MATTESON Had two top-20s in three starts entering last week's John Deere, but shot progressively worse every day at TPC Deere Run (67-69-72-75) to tie to 71st. Still, he's 3-for-3 at Annandale with two top-15 finishes.