Jun. 30, 2009
The AT&T National will take place at Congressional CC in Bethesda, Md., this week. Here's how the PGATOUR.COM experts sized up the top contenders:
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SLEEPER PICKS How it works: Our 10 experts from PGATOUR.COM select any player who isn't ranked in the top 30 of the FedExCup rankings, the Official World Golf Ranking and the Race to Dubai. The player also must not have won in 2008 or 2009. By using a draft process, no two picks can be the same. EXPERT PICKS Who do our experts think will capture the AT&T National title? Here's who they've picked to win. Click here |
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| Sleeper picks: AT&T National |
Ceri Mobley |
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PAUL GOYDOS. In the last four weeks, Goydos has tied for second, fourth and third. The missed cut at Colonial doesn't bother me. Clearly he wants to win, and who wouldn't like to see Sunshine smile? |
Lauren Deason |
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BUBBA WATSON. Sure, he can boast in the locker room that he's led the TOUR in Driving Distance for four years. But big-hitting Bubba still hasn't won. I like how he's been playing lately (T2, T37, T23, T18, T14 in last five weeks), so that could change very soon.
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Ryan Smithson |
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FRED COUPLES. Glad to see he's in the field this week. He hasn't played since the HP Byron Nelson Championship, where he tied for eighth. I honestly feel Freddie's got one more victory in him before he hits the Champions Tour.
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Helen Ross |
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CHARLES WARREN. He tied for 27th last year at AT&T National, shooting three rounds in the 60s. Warren -- inspired by former Clemson teammate Lucas Glover's victory at the U.S. Open -- opened with a 63 last week. Maybe this is his turn. |
Win McMurry |
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JOHN SENDEN. He has quietly put together a solid season with four top-10s and only four missed cuts. He tied for 18th last year at Congressional, so watch out for this Aussie. |
T.J. Auclair |
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ROD PAMPLING. He can win on a big stage. He did it at Bay Hill a few years ago. The Aussie hasn't been playing his best golf this season, but he's capable of breaking out at anytime. Maybe even this week. |
Mark Spoor |
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JUSTIN ROSE. This is me just hoping that something is going to break for this Englishman soon. He's too good of a player for it not to happen in the very near future.
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Mike McAllister |
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ROBERT GARRIGUS. He's second on TOUR in driving distance and has posted top-20 finishes in two of his last three starts, including a T19 last week. Since Congressional is 400 yards longer than TPC River Highlands, Garrigus' length should be an advantage.
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John Swantek |
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BRYCE MOLDER. It's hard to believe he's 30, but he finally looks like the scary good player he was at Georgia Tech, where his records still stand. He's confident and feeling it. |
Brian Wacker |
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BILL HAAS. If there's a definition of sleeper, Haas is it. He has just two top-10s this year, one of which was a tie for third at the Valero Texas Open. He's also done alright here, having never shot higher than 72. Just a hunch, but I think he'll play well this week. |
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LAST WEEK: No one made a move at the Travelers Championship in our sleeper standings. Each week, we'll update the standings based on the FedExCup points accumulated by the players selected by our experts. Here's how it stands after Week 25:
| Standings after Week 25 |
| 1 |
Helen Ross Chief of Correspondents, PGATOUR.COM |
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3 |
2 |
6 |
1,325.75 |
| 2 |
Lauren Deason Editorial Coordinator, PGATOUR.COM |
1 |
1 |
2 |
5 |
1,091.02 |
| 3 |
Brian Wacker Site Producer, PGATOUR.COM |
1 |
- |
2 |
2 |
1,076.36 |
| 4 |
Ryan Smithson Site Producer, PGATOUR.COM |
- |
2 |
3 |
3 |
1,022.80 |
| 5 |
Mark Spoor Coordinating Producer, PGATOUR.COM |
- |
1 |
3 |
4 |
788.9 |
| 6 |
John Swantek Fantasy Insider, PGA TOUR Productions |
- |
1 |
- |
4 |
793.47 |
| 7 |
T.J. Auclair Interactive Producer, PGATOUR.COM |
- |
1 |
2 |
6 |
775.33 |
| 8 |
Mike McAllister Managing Editor, PGATOUR.COM |
- |
3 |
2 |
4 |
717.31 |
| 9 |
Win McMurry Host, PGA TOUR Today |
- |
- |
1 |
6 |
626.77 |
| 10 |
Ceri Mobley Associate Producer, PGATOUR.COM |
- |
- |
1 |
4 |
608.07 |
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