Shriners Hospitals for Children Open: Top 10 power rankings

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LAS VEGAS, NV – OCTOBER 02: Kevin Na poses with the trophy after his two-stroke victory after the final round of the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open at the TPC Summerlin on October 2, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images) /

Kevin Na is a change of pace in this week’s top 10. He’s a shorter hitter and known more for his short game. With that said, he’s willing to play aggressive when he can and is great at molding his schedule to places that suit his strengths.

TPC Summerlin welcomes bombers, but Na winning in 2011 (67-63-66-65) and Webb Simpson in 2013 are among the examples of the variety of players who can win this event.

The 36-year-old reached 23-under to defeat Nick Watney by two and the rest of the field by five in 2011. He defended with a T-22 (68-66-70-70) the next year and was a shot back in T-2 in 2015 (68-66-68-67).

I might be burying the lede here. Na is a Las Vegas resident. He said in 2012 how he thinks that’s a significant advantage.

"“I think the big key is distance control here because the ball goes further out here. Some of the guys have trouble adjusting to that,” Na said. “But if you live out here you know how far your ball is flying, so it’s easier to club yourself with the irons. That’s a big edge on everybody else in the field. If I was honest put my money on the guys, if you gave me a handful of guys to pick, I would pick all the local guys.”"

Na was seventh on Tour last season in strokes gained around the green (.355), was 44th in proximity from 50-125 yards (17’9”) and 10th from 125-150 (20’6”).

His driver was a bit wayward last year, but if he can avoid the junk that is out there at courses like this, he’ll be able to contend as we’ve seen before.

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