Picks: Legends Reno-Tahoe

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Editor's note: PGATOUR.com has tried to make our experts work a little harder when they make their picks each week. The favorite can be anyone in the field, although Tiger Woods could only be used seven times during the year. Sleepers can't have won in 2008 or had a top 10 in their last five starts. A sleeper can't be ranked in the top 30 in the field, either.

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T.J. Auclair
PGATOUR.COM Interactive Producer
Pick: Nicholas Thompson
This rookie has been strong throughout the season thus far, racking up four top-10 finishes, including a tie for fifth last week in the RBC Canadian Open. He needs a win, if for no other reason than to get some family bragging rights. Thompson's 13-year-old sister, Alexis, won the U.S. Girls' Junior Amateur on Sunday. Thompson is thrilled for his sister, but would love to bring home some hardware of his own.

Lauren Deason
PGATOUR.COM Editorial Coordinator
Pick: Jonathan Byrd
He hasn't done particularly well at this event, but Byrd is one of the top players in the field at the Legends Reno-Tahoe Open. Did you know he's 79th in the FedExCup standings? I didn't either but it's hard to believe he's that low. Look for him to make a leap this week with a win.

Melanie Hauser
PGATOUR.COM Correspondent
Pick: Scott McCarron
He had a good finish last week and he has good history in Reno, plus a little older-guy inspiration from buddy Greg Norman. What more could you ask for?

Dave Lagarde
PGATOUR.COM Correspondent
Pick: Scott McCarron
This is essentially a home game for McCarron, who is battling back from injuries. He showed he is close last week. He has three top-10s on this track. His confidence should be soaring.

John Maginnes
PGATOUR.COM Contributor
Pick: Jay Williamson
I like Williamson this week in Reno because it follows a trend and he has been playing pretty well. When Vijay Singh made comments about Annika those many years ago, he won the golf tournament. Since then, having Michelle Wie in the field has become common enough that the players haven't said much until Jay last week. He's always been one to answer the tough question and this weekend Jay may finally answer the question that has plagued him for 20 years -- am I good enough to win on the PGA TOUR?

Win McMurry
Host, PGA TOUR Today
Pick: Nick Thompson
He is coming off a tie for fifth in Canada and I think this 25-year-old is poised for a breakthrough victory.

Helen Ross
PGATOUR.COM Chief of Correspondents
Pick: John Rollins
The weekend got the better of him at Royal Birkdale, but Rollins held his own in the wind and the rain the first two days. He's played well at Reno before, too, with ties for 14th in his last two starts in 2004 and 2005.

Dave Shedloski
PGATOUR.COM Senior Correspondent
Pick: Ben Crane
The dude can putt; this we know. But he doesn't get enough credit for an overall game that has resulted in the eighth-best scoring average on the PGA TOUR.

John Swantek
PGA TOUR Productions Fantasy Insider
Pick: Scott McCarron
Last week's tie for fifth in Canada was McCarron's most encouraging performance since elbow surgery more than a year ago. At 136th in the FedExCup standings, this is a critical week for the Reno resident, continuing his late season push for a playoff berth. Runner-up here in 2004, I smell a little home cookin' this week.