Picks: Northern Trust Open

text size

• Sleeper Picks: Who may surprise? | Get in the discussion: Give us your picks

T.J. Auclair
PGATOUR.com Interactive Producer
Pick: Mike Weir
After missing the cut in his first four appearances at the Northern Trust Open, Weir got out of the rut in a big way by winning in 2003. He successfully defended his title a year later and hasn't missed the cut since. While winning the Masters in 2003 was huge for Weir, it could be argued that nothing was bigger for him than taking down Tiger Woods in the singles final at the Presidents Cup in his home country of Canada. Since then, Weir hasn't missed a cut and has finished in the top-15 four times, highlighted by a win at the Fry's Electronics Open. It looks like he's back to his world-class-in-contention-every-time-he-tees-it-up form.

Lauren Deason
PGATOUR.com Editorial Coordinator
Pick: Mike Weir
Having narrowed my winner choice down to Adam Scott or Mike Weir, I went with the Canadian over the Australian. Weir won at Riviera Country Club as recently as 2003 and 2004, topping Charles Howell III in a playoff in '03 and taking the title by one stroke over Shigeki Maruyama in '04. He comes into the Northern Trust Open this week off a tie for 14th at last week's AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. Weir was also amongst the top-5 players at the Mercedes-Benz Championship earlier this season. Playing good golf lately + familiarity with the course = success for Weir.

Melanie Hauser
PGATOUR.com Correspondent
Pick: Adam Scott
Hard to argue with what he did in Quatar. One of the best who remains looking for a major and a huge year. Won the rain-soaked event here in '05 and was second in '06. Yes, there are others to think about including Veege and Phil and Paddy and Aussies Steve Elkington and Robert Allenby. But . . . . we like Scott.

Dave Lagarde
PGATOUR.com Correspondent
Pick: Adam Scott
Makes his PGA TOUR '08 debut this week with a European title already tucked away. It's time for this extremely talented Aussie to make a big splash with a solid season. He puts the right foot forward on a course where he has won.

John Maginnes
PGATOUR.com Contributor
Pick: Retief Goosen
Goosen may be a bit of a long shot this week but it is time for the two-time U.S. Open champion to start winning golf tournaments again. It is hard to believe that he hasn't won in the States since the 2005 INTERNATIONAL. Heck, he has only won in Europe a few times since being one of the "big five". Now that the "big five" has been eaten by the GOAT (greatest of all time) Retief, Ernie and company can relax a bit. I don't have any insight into Retief's off season schedule, he has played a few times in Europe without showing signs of previous greatness. But as we have seen with Vijay and Phil recently when a player like that puts it all together they contend in a big way.

Win McMurry
Host, PGA TOUR Today
Pick: Phil Mickelson
Even though Phil struggled last week, I am going with him for the Northern Trust Open. There is no way he'll miss a cut back-to-back and I think he's really itching to pull a comeback and win. Plus it would be redemption for losing in a three-hole playoff last year to Howell -- as well as for his playoff loss at the FBR Open two weeks ago.

Scott Pianowski
The Fantasy Insider
Pick: Rory Sabbatini
He's been comfortable at Riviera from Day 1, winning in 2006 and compiling four other Top-15 showings in this decade. When Sabbatini is on a track that suits his game, he's capable of taking down any field, even one as loaded as this week's group.

Helen Ross
PGATOUR.com Chief of Correspondents
Pick: Charles Howell III
I was tempted to pick Adam Scott like many of my colleagues. Mike Weir was a consideration, too. I am going to go with the defending champion, Charles Howell III, instead. He's comfortable at Riviera -- with a playoff loss to Weir in 2003 and a tie for sixth in 2002 to go along with last year's win -- and he hasn't missed a cut there in six starts. Howell comes to the Northern Trust Open playing well and will only gain confidence as the week progresses.

Dave Shedloski
PGATOUR.com Senior Correspondent
Pick: Adam Scott
Won the rain-shortened 2005 affair in a playoff, and would dearly love to take this prestigious event over the regulation 72 holes. Coming off a closing 61 to win the Qatar Masters indicates that his game is in fine shape early in the season.

John Swantek
PGA TOUR Productions Fantasy Insider
Pick: Adam Scott
First PGA TOUR action of 08' at the place where he where he won, finished second in '05 and '06, each week producing one of his best putting displays of the year -- the key to victory this week. Hammered the European Tour field at Quatar Masters with final round 61...the wrath of Scott will continue in the States.

Editor's note: Our experts have had their say. Now it's your turn. Here are some of the responses we got when we asked PGATOUR.com viewers to make their picks for the Northern Trust Open.

• Justin Rose. Is anyone giving him a chance? Or Garcia? -- Brian

• HELLO!!! Steve Elkington. I can't believe not one of you did your homework!!! -- Scott

• Vijay Singh! He had it in the bag last week and let it slip away. He's not going to let this happen again. -- Terence

• The name is John Mallinger... heard of him? Well he's off to another great start this year after a second consecutive third-place showing at Pebble Beach this last week. Last year in his rookie season, he pocketed over $1.6 million and had three third-place finishes and four top 10s. This kid is solid and strong under pressure. Watch for him to take his first PGA TOUR victory this year. He is currently ranked No. 1 in putting on TOUR, and his fairway accuracy is sure to put him among the best on TOUR this 2008 season. At only 27 years of age, watch out! This kid's on his way. -- Russell

• I think Davis Love III will win. David Duval will break through with a top-10 finish. -- Randy

• My stone-cold, lead-pipe lock is Jim Furyk. He has to be disappointed with last week's performance. How does a highly competitive golfer feel after a bad performance? Internally angry and publicly determined. It's a very tough field this week and a tall order for him to overcome. Particularly with so many greats in the field who feel very comfortable at Riviera. But Jim's a guy who can do it. My sleeper is Freddy. I have to believe he is feeling healthy at this point in time. And Riviera seems like Freddy's home. -- R. Kaiser

• I like Joe Durant. He has made three straight cuts. Good start for him this early in the season. Always tops in driving and greens in regulation. All he needs is a hot putter. Let's see. -- Peter

• I've got to go with Phil. With the exception of one hole over the last two tourneys, he has been hitting it well. -- Jerry