Power Rankings: Insperity Invitational
2 Min Read
IRVING, TX - APRIL 24: Steven Alker of New Zealand plays his shot from the first hole tee during the final round of the ClubCorp Classic at Las Colinas Country Club on April 24, 2022 in Irving, Texas. (Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images)
The Texas two-step moseys down Houston way as PGATOUR Champions plays back to back weeks in the Lone Star State.
The greater Houston area will set the scene for the action as it has since 2004. The Woodlands Country Club took over as host in 2008 will host for the 14th consecutive edition.
| RANK | PLAYER | COMMENT | ||
The Woodlands Country Club
Yards (per official scorecard): 7,002
Par: 72 (36-36)
Greens: Mini Verde Bermuda; 4,500 square feet on average.
Stimpmeter: 11.5 feet.
Rough: 419 Bermudagrass at 2 inches.
Bunkers/Water Hazards: 59/12 (water in play on 11 holes).
Architects: Robert van Hagge (1982); Carlton Gipson (1996).
Purse: $2.3 million; $345,000 winner.
Defending Champion: Mike Weir (-10); 36 hole event (weather).
Tournament Course Record: 63; Fred Couples (Round 3, 2010).
Tournament Scoring Record: 271; Scott McCarron (-17, 2019); 271; Fred Couples (-17, 2010).
Fact of the Week: Of the last four winners, two have claimed their first Champions win.
Fact of the Week II: Bernhard Langer has won this event four times, three times at The Woodlands.
Usually everything is bigger in Texas and the field this week fits that description. Of the top 20 Charles Schwab Cup money leaders 19 are on property this week looking to add to their season totals.
Familiarity also returns this week after two consecutive events featuring courses being used for the first time. The Woodlands County Club featured a PGA TOUR stop from 1985 until 2002 and has hosted every event on PGA TOUR Champions since 2008.
Not everything in Texas is bigger and Mini Verde Bermuda greens top that list this week. The below average sized targets will require accurate approaches or nifty scrambling, if missed. Fairways are tight again this week but only two inches of rough awaits balls that don't find the sprinkler line. Scoring will be helped by four Par-5 holes but The Woodlands ranks in the top half of most difficult courses played annually.
Mother Nature has required lift, clean and place over the last 5 rounds spanning the 2021 and 2019 editions. The 2021 event didn't start until Saturday and was shortened to 36 holes due to heavy weather. The 2022 tournament appears to be spared a visit as temperatures will be in the upper 80s for all three rounds and the chance of rain is less than 25 percent each day.
Welcome back Ryder Cup Captain Steve Stricker! He returns to action this week after missing months with an illness sustained after the USA victory last September.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out through Twitter or email me mikeglasscott@gmail.com.