Expert Picks: Who will have a breakout year in 2008?
 
Dec. 12, 2007

Ryder Cup picks Top Rookie picks First-time major winner picks

auclair.72.jpg

T.J. Auclair
PGATOUR.com Interactive Producer
Pick: Arron Oberholser

Oberholser, who underwent surgery on his left hand at the end of October, recently said he is looking forward to playing an entire PGA TOUR season injury-free. Well, he's been pretty darn good even with injuries and no one has ever accused him of being short on self-confidence. Without injuries holding him back, he could become a top-10 player in the world. He's got the game.

deason.72.jpg

Lauren Deason
PGATOUR.com Editorial Coordinator
Pick: Chris Stroud
His performance in q-school was overshadowed by Frank Lickliter's dominance, but Stroud managed to earn his way back to the PGA TOUR in 2008 thanks to six solid days at Orange County National. Stroud, who placed third in the PGA TOUR National Qualifying Tournament, entered that rigorous test coming off a sizzling stretch of three top-15 finishes in his final six tournaments of the Fall Series. The 25-year-old won the 2003 North and South Amateur, was a two-time All-America selection in college and seems poised for big things.

hauser.72.jpg

Melanie Hauser
PGATOUR.com Correspondent
Pick: Lucas Glover
Hunter Mahan, Heath Slocum or Lucas Glover? Mahan caught everyone's attention last year with some strong majors and a win at the Travelers Championship. Slocum teased us with top-10s. Glover had us all wondering at every turn, but there was always that one round to trip him up. The Presidents Cup should help Mahan and Glover. Look for Mahan to have another good season; Slocum a better season; Glover -- well, a breakout one. After all, he's got some catching up to do.

lagarde.72.jpg

Dave Lagarde
PGATOUR.com Correspondent
Pick: Hunter Mahan

He seemed to finally get it about midway through 2007 and continued to play well enough to make The Presidents Cup team. The roll continues in 2008.

maginnes.72.jpg

John Maginnes
PGATOUR.com Contributor
Pick: David Duval
The connotation of breakout means that you have never been there before. But you can break out of a funk, too, and that is what I expect from David Duval this year. We can talk all day about adult responsibility and being comfortable in your own skin. Those are just reasons. The fact is this -- you can' hide talent. Double D has that in spades, and it will emerge once again in '08.

ross.72.jpg

Helen Ross
PGATOUR.com Chief of Correspondents
Pick: Lucas Glover
Hunter Mahan and Lucas Glover both acquitted themselves very well as Captain's Picks at The Presidents Cup. I look for both to have big years in 2008, but I'll have to go with Glover because of his consistency. Once he learns to put four rounds together again, this birdie machine will really shine.

shed.72.jpg

Dave Shedloski
PGATOUR.com Senior Correspondent
Pick: Justin Rose
He built up his resume on the European Tour in 2007 while still playing some solid golf in the U.S. despite lingering injuries. Rose won the Volvo Masters and the Order of Merit on his home tour, and was 22nd on the PGA TOUR in FedExCup points while posting seven top-10s and 11 top-25 finishes in just 16 starts. Don't be shocked if he doesn't just win his first PGA TOUR title but even takes multiple crowns.