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PGA Tour Power Rankings: 2015 AT&T Byron Nelson

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AT&T Byron Nelson Championship Power Rankings

AT&T Byron Nelson 2015 Power Rankings PGA Tour
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This week's tournament at TPC Four Seasons, in Irving, Tex., bears the name of the late, great Byron Nelson. It's his influence that, for nearly 50 years, has made this event a premier stop on the Tour schedule, and this week's field has the star power to back that up.

Unfortunately, the weather in Texas is still making life miserable in the Lone Star state, but the show must go on. Barring a washout, these are the top ten players to watch.

10. John Huh

John Huh PGA Tour
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10. John Huh

John Huh PGA Tour

John Huh breaks into the top ten this week thanks to several withdrawals on Wednesday. Still, he's earned consideration in this field based on the way he closed out last week at Colonial. He posted an eight-birdie round of 64 on Sunday to sneak into the top-20, and with lift, clean and place a likelihood for at least part of this tournament, he could thrive again.

9. Justin Thomas

Justin Thomas PGA Tour
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9. Justin Thomas

Justin Thomas PGA Tour

Thomas is one of the more surprising young players on Tour, with ten top-25 finishes in 19 events, including four in a row heading into this week. He’s making his tournament debut, where he’ll be paired with good friend Jordan Spieth for at least the first two rounds. Thomas is capable of putting up birdies in bunches. Could this be his breakthrough week?

8. Zach Johnson

Zach Johnson PGA Tour
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8. Zach Johnson

Zach Johnson PGA Tour

Despite some struggles with his putting, Zach Johnson has found some solid form, finishing in the top 20 in five of his last six stroke play events. Even though he hasn’t played the Nelson in a decade, we’re looking for Johnson’s accuracy (15th on Tour in greens in regulation)to lead him to more success at TPC Four Seasons this week.

7. Charley Hoffman

Charley Hoffman PGA Tour
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7. Charley Hoffman

Charley Hoffman PGA Tour

Charley Hoffman found another level to his game this year, and he continues to impress, with two top-tens in his last five starts. Hoffman put up a pair of T-11’s in the first Texas two-step of the season, and finished tied for eighth in his last trip to TPC Four Seasons in 2013. Even with sloppy conditions, Hoffman will thrive at the Nelson.

6. Matt Kuchar

Matt Kuchar PGA Tour
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6. Matt Kuchar

Matt Kuchar PGA Tour

Kuchar finds himself in the midst of a slump, by his own standards at least. He struggled at Houston and then Augusta, bounced back to finish fifth at the RBC Heritage, then missed the cut at the PLAYERS. Now rested, though, he should be primed for one of his best weeks of the year at the Nelson, where he’s been in the top-15 for three of the last four years.

5. Keegan Bradley

Keegan Bradley
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5. Keegan Bradley

Keegan Bradley

Bradley won here in 2011 for his first career Tour title, and finished second in 2013. Bradley started to get back on the right track this season with a fifth-place finish in Houston, and despite some putter woes lately, he could use another trip to the Lone Star state to get him back in line with his seemingly limitless potential.

4. Gary Woodland

Gary Woodland PGA Tour
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4. Gary Woodland

Gary Woodland PGA Tour

A late addition to my top ten with the news of Ian Poulter’s withdrawal, Woodland brings his bomber’s advantage to a TPC Four Seasons course that will likely be waterlogged. If lift, clean and place is in effect, he’ll have a huge edge on the shorter players in the field. Woodland tied for seventh here last year, and is following a top-five at the Wells Fargo Championship.

3. Brandt Snedeker

Brandt Snedeker PGA Tour
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3. Brandt Snedeker

Brandt Snedeker PGA Tour

Snedeker missed the cut at the Nelson last year, his first trip to Las Colinas since 2007. However, that was a down year for him overall, and considering his performance last week at Colonial, we should see some strong numbers from the Vanderbilt alum this time around. Snedeker currently ranks ninth in the FedEx Cup race, and his putting will overcome any distance issues off the tee.

2. Jordan Spieth

Jordan Spieth PGA Tour
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2. Jordan Spieth

Jordan Spieth PGA Tour

Spieth’s best finish at the Byron Nelson came in his first ever PGA Tour start, way back in 2010. He was 16 years old, tied for 16th, and the green jacket he now owns was still a dream, even if it might have been closer than he thought. Although he hasn’t had a great run at TPC Four Seasons recently, we’re going to give the hometown hero the benefit of the doubt.

1. Dustin Johnson

Dustin Johnson PGA Tour
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1. Dustin Johnson

Dustin Johnson PGA Tour

Johnson enters with top-20 finishes in his last four trips to the Nelson, including a tie for seventh last year. Don’t let his struggles at the PLAYERS fool you. DJ’s big-hitting ways should continue to serve him well with heavy rains still a factor in the Dallas metroplex. If lift, clean, and place rules are still in effect, Johnson could have some ridiculously low scores in his future - and a shiny new trophy.

Brandon Raper is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.
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