Power rankings: Northern Trust Open
The PGA Tour moves down the California coast to the Los Angeles area for the Northern Trust Open at Riviera Country Club.
Hogan’s Alley West is home to an excellent field, headlined by world No. 1 Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy, who is making his debut in this event.
James Hahn defends a title he won in a playoff last year over Dustin Johnson, who has been second here each of the last two years, and Paul Casey.
Here are our top five players for this week:
1. Jordan Spieth — The world No. 1 scored a T-21 at Pebble after making the 54-hole cut on the number. Admitted he was playing cocky golf and this knocked him down a peg. Should be a good lesson. He learns fast.
2. Hideki Matsuyama — The Phoenix Open winner was T-4 here last year, and should give himself plenty of chances with his impressive GIR numbers.
3. J.B. Holmes — A pair of T-6s and a T-11 in his last three starts is great momentum. He also has an excellent track record here.
4. Charl Schwartzel — Making his U.S. debut in 2016, Schwartzel already has two European Tour wins this season, including an eight-shot win last weekend in South Africa. A pair of top fives in 2013 and ’14 in this event.
5. Rory McIlroy — First time at Riv for McIlroy, who played well in his two United Arab Emirates starts but faded just before big flurries at the end. Still class player in the field.
Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.
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