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Honda Classic: Top 10 power rankings

By Mike Randleman

PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL - FEBRUARY 25: A sign and statue of a bear to mark the three holes known as the bear trap prior to the start of the Honda Classic at PGA National Resort and Spa on February 25, 2014 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL - FEBRUARY 25: A sign and statue of a bear to mark the three holes known as the bear trap prior to the start of the Honda Classic at PGA National Resort and Spa on February 25, 2014 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images) /
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MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – FEBRUARY 21: Cameron Smith of Australia lines up a putt on the 17th green during the first round of World Golf Championships-Mexico Championship at Club de Golf Chapultepec on February 21, 2019 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – FEBRUARY 21: Cameron Smith of Australia lines up a putt on the 17th green during the first round of World Golf Championships-Mexico Championship at Club de Golf Chapultepec on February 21, 2019 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images) /

Cameron Smith is the only player of my top 10 who’s making his debut at the Honda Classic. Having some experience around a tough track like PGA National is certainly a big bonus, but the young Aussie is playing well enough to earn some recognition.

The 25-year-old is ranked higher in the world than the likes of Jordan Spieth, Sergio Garcia and Ian Poulter.

That’s in part to three top-10s in his last six worldwide starts, which includes a win at the Australian PGA Championship.

Smith seems to show well at the big events, and last week’s WGC-Mexico was no exception. He finished T6 (69-67-68-70) for his second top-10 of the year. The other, a T9, was also against quality competition at Torrey Pines.

An inaccurate driver is the main flaw of Smith’s thus far this season, but he can afford to dial it back somewhat this week if he needs to. Once he’s off the tee box, Smith stacks up well in the other strokes gained categories.

He’s 12th in approaching the green, 12th around the green and 20th in putting. His wedges are as accurate as they come and he’s got a good sand game (26th) to help if he goes astray.

This will be Smith’s sixth start of 2019 and third week in a row teeing it up.

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