Power Rankings: Allianz Championship

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Editor's note: Vartan Kupelian is the Champions Tour Insider and a PGATOUR.COM Contributor. Each week, Kupelian will size up the field and provide his top 5 players going into the tournament, based on factors such as the player's strengths, the course setup, recent performances, etc.

2012 CHAMPIONS TOUR: Top 25 Players to Watch | 2012 schedule | Field: Allianz Championship

Tom Lehman's memorable 2011 season on the Champions Tour began with a birdie putt on the 54th hole at the Allianz Championship. With that birdie, Lehman capped a final-round 69 to win by one stroke over Rod Spittle and Jeff Sluman.

The victory catapulted Lehman to a three-win season, including a major at the Regions Tradition; the Charles Schwab Cup and the Player of the Year honors. The title on The Old Course at Broken Sound ended a whirlwind trip for Lehman, but it was the beginning of another season-long journey.

He arrived in Florida on an overnight flight after playing 54 holes in the frost-delayed PGA TOUR stop in Phoenix. It was the start of a very busy year for Lehman, who played in 29 events on three tours, but it proved to be worth every bit the effort.

He's looking for a similar start at Allianz to kick off a repeat season. Here are the Champions Tour Power Rankings for the Allianz Championship:

Power Rankings: Allianz Championship

Rank Player   Comment Tom LEHMAN The defending champion opened with a 65 in Hawaii before fading to tie for 12th, but his ball-striking was solid: No. 1 in total driving, No. 3 in driving distance (297.2 yards) and No. 4 in greens hit. Dan FORSMAN From start to finish, he was solid in Hawaii to post his third Champions Tour victory and first since the 2010 Regions Charity Classic. Hit 44 of 54 greens in regulation (81.48 percent) to top the field at the Mitsubishi Electric Championship. Jay Don BLAKE Finished strong in '11 by winning the Charles Schwab Championship, started fast this season with a runner-up finish in Hawaii. He was T6 the Allianz last year after opening with 64. Michael ALLEN Allen was T3 in Hawaii and statistically excellent ninth in driving distance (290.3), 4th in greens in regulation (75.93 percent), fifth in putting average (1.659), first in birdie average (6) and fourth in all-around ranking. Olin BROWNE The U.S. Senior Open champ tied for fourth last year at Allianz and had a smooth start in Hawaii, where he tied for 12th. He was top 10 in both putting statistic categories.