Week 5 Power Rankings: Buick Invitational

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EDITOR'S NOTE: Officially, Mike Vitti is the Director of Research and Development in the TOUR's Marketing Department. Unofficially, he's a stats guru who analyzes all kinds of data from our ShotLink numbers. Vitti will size up the field each week and provide his top 10 players going into the tournament, based on factors such as the player's strengths, the course setup, recent performances, etc.

Measuring over 7,500 yards in length, Torrey Pines South Course is among the longest played on the PGA TOUR every year. The North Course, on which each player has to play one round, is more manageable. Neither of the two courses places a premium on driving accuracy.

Tiger Woods has won the event for four consecutive years and five of the last six, but has hit less than half of the fairways in each of the victories. John Daly was the winner the one year that Woods did not win, and Daly was only one fairway over 50 percent for the week.

Length off the tee will be of some advantage this week, so watch for some of the power hitters to show up on the leaderboard. However, a few of the shorter knockers will also have a strong showing at Torrey Pines.

Power Rankings: Buick Invitational

Rank Player   Comment Charley HOFFMAN Hoffman is coming off a disappointing playoff loss at last week's FBR Open, but he should shrug it off and continue his strong play in San Diego. Hoffman's last eight rounds have all been in the 60s. Padraig HARRINGTON Harrington is making his first start on the PGA TOUR in 2009 and his first start ever at this event. He is currently third in the Official World Golf Ranking and has finished in the top-10 in his last two starts on the international circuits. Pat PEREZ Perez has returned to earth a bit after his scoring frenzy and victory at the Bob Hope. Despite not having great professional success in the past at this event, Perez knows these courses well, having won the 1993 Junior World title at Torrey Pines. Bubba WATSON The leader in driving distance the last three seasons, Watson finished in a tie for fourth in 2007 and has made the cut in three starts at this event. Phil MICKELSON He needs to shake off last week's disappointing finish and the off-season rust. Mickelson made twice as many bogeys (10) as he did birdies (5) in Phoenix. He's had nine top-10s at the Buick Invitational, including back-to-back wins in '00 and '01. Camilo VILLEGAS Villegas had a disappointing week in Phoenix and missed the cut, but he has the length to compete at Torrey Pines. In 2008, Villegas hit over a quarter of all his drives past the 300-yard mark. Luke DONALD Donald has never finished outside of the top-25 the Buick Invitational and had three consecutive top-10s from 2003 through 2005. Donald is not long off the tee, but he is 14th on TOUR in proximity to the hole from 150-175 yards. Webb SIMPSON With two top-10s in 2009, Webb Simpson is an early candidate for 2009 Rookie of the Year. He is averaging almost 295 yards off the tee and has hit over a third of his drives over 300 yards. John SENDEN Senden has finished in the top-20 in each of his last two starts. He also tied for eighth at the Buick Invitational in 2008 and is annually ranked among the leaders in greens in regulation. Nathan GREEN Green lost in a playoff to Tiger Woods in his first start at the Buick Invitational in 2006. Green is not long, but he can putt -- he finished sixth in putts per round and 12th in total putting in 2008.