Week 3 Power Rankings: HSBC New Zealand PGA

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Mar. 3, 2009

Editor's note: Dave Lagarde has been a PGATOUR.COM correspondent for all things Nationwide Tour since 2005. Each week, Lagarde will size up the field and provide his top five players going into the tournament, based on factors such as the player's strengths, the course setup, recent performances, etc. | MORE: The Honda Classic Power Rankings | Toshiba Classic Power Rankings

Heavy rain in Christchurch, New Zealand, a year ago shortened the HSBC New Zealand PGA Championship to a 36-hole tournament, which Darron Stiles won by one stroke over New Zealand native David Smail. Rain began falling Friday, postponing the second round, and officials again abandoned play Saturday when the rain continued. Stiles, after opening with a 6-under 66 at the Clearwater Golf Club for a share of the first-round lead, shot a 68 to record the unofficial 36-hole victory.

Stiles went on to finish seventh on the money list and earned his 2009 PGA TOUR card. This event, which began in 2002, has always been held at the Clearwater Golf Club, won by a mixture of Southern and Northern Hemisphere players. Australians Peter O'Malley (2002 and 2005) and Gavin Coles (2004) have joined Americans Ryan Palmer (2003), Nicholas Thompson (2007) and Stiles, as well as Canadian Jim Rutledge (2006), as winners of the tournament.

With all that said, let's see who Lagarde thinks can succeed in the 2009 HSBC New Zealand PGA Championship.

Power Rankings: HSBC New Zealand PGA Championship

Rank	Player		Comment
		Peter O'MALLEY	This Aussie veteran was one birdie short of a playoff at Moonah Links last week. Now he returns to a comfortable track where he won in '02 and '05. That should bode well.
		Michael SIM	Two consecutive top fives indicate this talented young Australian and former Nationwide Tour winner is in form. Never two without three, eh?
		Skip KENDALL	He was one of two Americans in the top 10 last week, overcoming a first-round 77 with three solid rounds. He also was T13 in the season opener.
		David SMAIL	Runner-up to Darron Stiles at this rain-shortened, 36-hole event in 2008. He was in the mix last week until a final-round 74 led to a tie for eighth.
		Alistair PRESNELL	He birdied the 72nd hole to nip O'Malley by a stroke last week. If he can stop the celebration long enough to come down to Earth, his confidence could carry him.