The 6,820 yard, par-70 TPC River Highlands had a scoring average of just over par (70.24) at last year's Buick Championship. Brad Faxon played the course close to that average after his first two rounds of play to make the cut on the number last year. Faxon then proceeded to go on a scoring tear, recording scores of 65 and 61 on the weekend and forced a playoff with Tjaart van der Wal, which he won on the first extra hole.

Following previous wins at the event by Peter Jacobson (2003) and Woody Austin (2004), Faxon became the third player with significant TOUR experience to win the event in the ShotLink era. What is interesting about these three players is that each had a different approach off the tee during their respective victories. Jacobson used accuracy (tied for 3rd in driving accuracy); Austin used power (fifth in driving distance); and Faxon did not finish in the top 65 in either category. So it seems that all playing types can win at this venue.

As for what these players had in common, it comes down to the usual suspects: the ability to find the green; putt well from all ranges once they were on it; don't lose strokes around the green; and take advantage of scoring opportunities on the par 4s.

So, for this week, players in the field that are among the leaders on TOUR in these five areas include:

Greens in Regulation 1. Jeff Gove, 70.4% (1st)
2. Mark Wilson, 68.8% (3rd)
3. Charles Warren 69.3% (6th)

Putting Average 1. Brian Gay, 1.712 (1st)
2. Scott Verplank, 1.729, (6th)
3. Danny Ellis, 1.731 (8th)

Putts per Round 1. Aaron Baddeley, 27.66 (1st)
2. Brian Gay, 27.73 (2nd)
3. Scott Verplank, 28.21 (5th)

Scrambling 1. Brian Gay, 65.5% (1st)
2. Corey Pavin, 64.6% (4th)
3. Jerry Kelly, 64.6% (4th)

Par-4 Scoring Average 1. Jerry Kelly, 4.02 (7th)
2. Brian Gay, 4.03 (9th)
3. Bubba Watson, 4.03 (9th)
4. Brett Wetterich, 4.03 (9th)
5. Charles Warren, 4.03 (9th)
6. David Branshaw, 4.03 (9th)

Also, watch out for defending champion Faxon, who enters the event 10th in putts per round and is always dangerous on the greens. Looking at all five stats combined there are six players in this week's field whose game may fit the contours of TPC River Highlands.

1. Brett Wetterich -- 12th in GIR, 25th in putting average, T-9th in par-4 scoring
Wetterich has either been in the top 10 or not around on the weekend in most of his last few starts. His combination of power off the tee and accuracy on approach would be similar to the approach used by Woody Austin in 2004.

2. Mark Wilson -- 3rd in GIR, 23rd in putting average
Wilson has three top 25s in 10 events in 2006 and is hitting close to 70 percent of his greens in regulation. If he can find a few more birdies on the par 4s this week he should be a factor.

3. Briny Baird -- 15th in GIR, 18th in par-4 scoring
With his accurate approaches, TOUR veteran Baird could be the fourth consecutive veteran to take the title.

4. Scott Verplank -- 6th in putting average, 5th in putts per round, 12 in scrambling, 18th in par-4 scoring Verplank is only one of three players in the top 10 in both putting average and putts per round. Verplank could follow Jacobson's model from the tee, as he ranks in the top 10 in driving accuracy, but he needs to hit more greens.

5. Jerry Kelly -- 4th in scrambling, 7th in par-4 scoring
Kelly has the best par-4 scoring average in the field and his scoring is solid in most of the other areas. He is looking for some Ryder Cup points this week and is another player that could continue the streak of veteran winners.

6. Brian Gay -- 1st in putting average, 2nd in putts per round, 1st in scrambling, 9th in par-4 scoring
Gay would be at the top of this list if he had a better GIR percentage. If he can manage to find at least 65 percent of the greens in regulation this week, he should be able to get into contention on Sunday.