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Five on Five

Are two Ryans, two Jasons enough in Disney?

Posted: Wednesday October 19, 2005 5:48PM; Updated: Wednesday October 19, 2005 5:48PM
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By Jim Gorant, Golf Plus Senior Editor

Each week, we'll take the five highest-ranked world players (Top Five) participating in that week's PGA Tour event and then pick five other golfers (Field Five) we think will finish with more money by tournament's end.

 This Week: Funai Classic
At least Top 5 member Jim Furyk didn't win the playoff at last week's event in Las Vegas. His second-place finish was enough to put the bad guys well out in front, but it could have been worse if he won. It could have been better if Ryan Palmer didn't give up two shots on the last two holes, costing the Field 5 about $50,000. We won't be too hard on Palmer,though -- he was out top earner and we'll need him to come up big again this week.
Disney has added 326 yards to its Magnolia course (which hosts three of four rounds at the Funai Classic), making it the fourth longest course on tour. At the same time a new irrigation system has made the rough thicker and the greens have been remodeled, which tends to make them a bit hard until they settle. All of which means you need to be long and accurate -- and it helps to hit the ball high. It's too bad for Tim Clark. He's finished top 10 here in two of the last three years, but I think the changes will make it tough for him, a short hitter, to compete.


MONEY TOTALS TOP FIVE FIELD FIVE
Last week: Michelin Champ. $548,350 $176,246
OVERALL $36,141,921 $13,037,670


 Top Five
TIGER WOODS (No. 1 in world rankings)
He has played here eight times -- and has six top 10s.
VIJAY SINGH (No. 2)
He has a great history here too, but his putter continues to keep him out of the top 10.
RETIEF GOOSEN (No. 4)
He played well at the Presidents Cup but took some time off to rest a rib injury. How rusty will he be?
CHRIS DiMARCO (No. 9)
He, too, has been off since his great performance at the Cup, but the added length will definitely make this a difficult venue for him.
TIM CLARK (No. 19)
As mentioned, the short-hitting Clark will find that he can't compete on a course with four par-4s that are almost 500 yards long.

 Field Five
 NOTE: Only best five performances will count in money totals
JASON BOHN
He doesn't stand out in any statistical category, but he's been playing great golf in the second half with a win a second and third since mid-July.
STEWART CINK
He won here two years ago and he hits it long and high with a little fade, which should set up well for him here. Besides, Shaun Micheel isn't playing this week.
JASON GORE
Like the other Jason, he's been hot in the second half, and he hits it a mile (313 off the tee) and has putted well (1.781 putts per green).
RYAN MOORE
I like the idea of two Jasons and two Ryans, but I also like that Moore's won $598,250, putting him 122 on the money list. Two more solid weeks and he gets his card.
SEAN O'HAIR
He's having a breakout rookie year, with three top 10s and seven top 25s. Seems like he always has a chance to win.
RYAN PALMER
Palmer won here last year and he's been solid this season, ranking 22nd in putting and 14th in birdie average.

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