Power Rankings: Charles Schwab Challenge

It’s almost comical how he turns it on, especially when par plays up. Bouncing off a rock-steady T4 at Oak Hill where he led the field in par-5 scoring. A T40 in his debut at Colonial last year was anything but consistent, but it’s still experience.

Fourth consecutive appearance where he almost defied history in his debut in 2020, only to be victimized in a playoff. T40 here last year during what was a relative rough stretch familiar to the current, but he has five top 15s in 2023.

The 30-year-old in his eighth start is on the edge of that magical combination of age and experience at Colonial, but he’s already connected for two top 10s among four top 25s on the course. Pre-PGA Championship MC, he went T7-T5-T23.

His slump at Colonial more or less coincides with his career lull, but he’s no stranger to having the top of the leaderboard within view what with a T5 among three top 20s. Also connected for seven top 20s in his last nine starts upon arrival.

Not that the 46-year-old needs any inspiration from another 46-year-old, Michael Block, but it’s impossible not to be touched by the story. Palmer is in his 20th start at his home club and still chasing his first win. T8 in last start at TPC Craig Ranch.

His latest five starts have yielded only one top-40 finish (T8 at Quail Hollow where he’s a prior winner), but his class is permanent and he’s posted a pair of top 30s in five starts at Colonial where experience is key. Personal-best T23 last year.

The 2018 champion is among the throng that has contributed to the theory that golfers in their mid-30s with a few spins at Colonial are the only golfers who should populate the Power Rankings. Remains in fine form with a T9 at Oak Hill.

For all of the close calls in his career, no one ever can take away last year’s flourish to the finish line. (More on that below.) He’s proven to be eminently comfortable as a defending champion. It’s the feeling he can use after two straight MCs.

Fresh off a personal-best T4 in the majors at the PGA Championship, he’s risen to a career-best 49th in the OWGR. Top 10s at TPC Sawgrass and Harbour Town also are recent pops. Placed T7 in his third appearance at Colonial last year.

Keeps on rollin’, so it’d be a shock if it doesn’t translate into a strong showing in his second stint at Colonial (T35, 2022). Perfect in nine starts since Riviera with five top 20s, including in each of his last three. Placed T18 at Oak Hill.

Well, he’s rested but only because he missed the cut at Oak Hill by eight shots. That ended four months of regularly contending, but it was a major, so it’s excusable. Fifth consecutive appearance at Colonial where he has two top 15s.

As he continues to rap louder on the doors of the biggest stages, it cannot go overlooked that he’s cashed in 18 straight starts for 10 months, so he’s not knocked off-kilter. The 25-year-old also is 2-for-2 at Colonial with top 25s in both trips.

Although he settled for an 11-way T29 at Oak Hill, he eliminated serious concern for the health of his left wrist. Oddly, it was his short game that struggled, but Colonial is a soft landing. He’s the tournament’s all-time earnings leader.

The non-factor at Oak Hill (T72) still isn’t yet a month removed from his victory at Vidanta and he’s 7-for-7 at Colonial with a solo second in 2019 and a T4 in 2022 among five top 20s. Also has no problem in keeping one of the busiest schedules.

Back to avenge last year’s final-round retreat and playoff defeat. He’s also back to No. 1 in the OWGR (again) after a T2 at Oak Hill where he closed with a field-tying-low 65. Although he doesn’t win every week, he’s still the man to beat.