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Sleeper Picks: Sony Open in Hawaii
 
Jan. 10, 2007
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PGA TOUR.com staff

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Which player could sneak up on the field in this weekend's Sony Open in Hawaii? Our experts weigh in:

T.J. Auclair
PGA TOUR.com Interactive Producer
Pick: Brett Quigley
After a career-best season in 2006 where he finished in the top 30 on the money list, the Rhode Islander is still in search of his first victory. Growing up in the Ocean State, Quigley is used to the strong winds that will blow through Waialae. Expect him to carry his strong play into the new season and don't be shocked if the Sony Open becomes his first win.
Brett Avery
The Fantasy Insider
Pick: Will MacKenzie
Last year, he arrived at Waialae to begin his sophomore year coming off a tie for ninth in the 2005 PGA TOUR National Qualifying Tournament. His share of 42nd here was hardly spectacular -- in fact, there wasnt much worth mentioning until he won the Reno-Tahoe Open. But his tie for fourth last week in the Mercedes-Benz Championship, a continuation of an acceptable 2006 finish, points to a bright 2007. He was 19th last year in holes per eagle (one every 132 holes) and Waialae is susceptible to them.
Lauren Deason
PGA TOUR.com Editorial Coordinator
Pick: Bubba Watson
Watson played well at the Sony Open in Hawaii last year, finishing solo fourth to earn his first paycheck on TOUR. The long-hitting rookie may have only had six top-25 finishes in 2006, offset by 14 missed cuts, after his stellar debut at this event. But Watson led the TOUR in driving distance with an average of 319.6 yards last year, so he has the talent to eventually power his way to a win and, if he brings confidence from his strong finish last year at Waialae, this could be his breakout week.
Melanie Hauser
PGATOUR.com Correspondent
Pick: Steve Stricker
Last year's comeback player picks up where he left off last season -- climbing the leaderboard. And, yes, he's played well here before.
John Maginnes
PGA TOUR Network on XM Radio analyst
Pick: Kevin Stadler
My darkhorse this week is not a horse at all but a water mammal. I am going with Walrus the Younger. Kevin Stadler has won on the Nationwide Tour so many times that he gets free dental. He won on the European Tour in 2006 just for good measure. It is only a matter of time before he hoists a trophy on the PGA TOUR. It might as well be a pineapple.
Helen Ross
PGATOUR.com Chief of Correspondents
Pick: J.B. Holmes
After getting lost driving to the golf course Tuesday, I was tempted to pick the player with the most vowels in his name. Instead, I'm picking someone who goes by two consonants, J.B. Holmes, who was impressive in his 2007 debut last week at the Mercedes-Benz Championship. He appears to have shaken off the disappointing finish to his rookie year where he didnt have a top-10 in the 22 events after his win at the FBR Open. Not to mention, he tied for 10th at Waialae in his debut.
Dave Shedloski
PGATOUR.com Senior Correspondent
Pick: Anthony Kim
The 21-year-old rookie nearly won the Valero Texas Open last year and then got through q-school to earn his card. Who knows if he's got more magic in his bag? Don't be shocked if he does.
Mike Vitti
PGATOUR.com ShotLink Analyst
Pick: Daniel Chopra
Chopra, the 2006 leader in putting average, knows how to score and that will come in handy at an event that will require a lot of birdies to win. Last season, Chopra ranked fourth in par-breaker percentage and third in birdie-or-better conversion percentage, and it doesn't hurt that he was also 29th in average driving distance on all drives.

Wondering how are experts are doing so far this season? Here's a look:

How they're doing
The 2007 record of PGA TOUR.com experts after last week's Mercedes-Benz Championship
PGATOUR.com Experts 1st 2nd 3rd Top 10s Missed Cuts Total FedExCup Points
Helen Ross 1 - 1 2 0 6200
Melanie Hauser 1 - - 1 0 4983
John Maginnes 1 - - 1 0 4678
T.J. Auclair - 1 - 1 0 3113
Mike Vitti - 1 - 1 0 2960
Lauren Deason - - 1 2 0 2733
Dave Lagarde - - - 0 0 1083
Brett Avery - - - 0 0 668
Dave Shedloski - - - 0 0 560