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Expert Picks: Bob Hope Chrysler Classic
 
Jan. 17, 2007
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PGATOUR.com Staff

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Which player will take the honors in this weekend's Bob Hope Chrysler Classic? Our experts weigh in:

T.J. Auclair
PGATOUR.com Interactive Producer
Pick: Phil Mickelson
Phil Mickelson, making his first start on the PGA TOUR since late August at the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational, will win the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. In his last six starts in the desert, Lefty has two wins (2002, 04), has finished no worse than a tie for 16th (2000) and tied for fifth last year. Mickelson should be hungry for some competition. Plus, with Tiger expected to make his debut in the Buick Invitational at Torrey Pines next week -- a place he and Phil have combined for seven wins -- I wouldn't plan on Lefty being as rusty as you might typically expect after such a long layoff.
Brett Avery
The Fantasy Insider
Pick: Phil Mickelson
Phil Mickelson. The Fantasy Insider makes this election with fingers crossed, not because he's fibbing but because he's hoping for the best on a hopeful selection. This guy's been idle so long (since the Ryder Cup) there have been more recent sightings of Elvis. What Mickelson learned in recent years is that the way to quiet detractors is to succeed (see: major championships, best to have never won one). A victory would silence widespread musing on his "What I Did During Summer/Autumn/Winter Vacation" report.
Lauren Deason
PGA TOUR.com Editorial Coordinator
Pick: Mike Weir
The choice came down to Mike Weir or Justin Leonard, both former champions in this event. But Weir it is, for the likeable Canadian is bound to make it back to the winners circle soon. Though without a victory in 2006, he had 12 top-25s -- the most since 2003, when he won the Masters -- and finished 33rd on the PGA TOUR money list. Last year he tied for fifth at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic and won it in 2003, so this could be the place for his first win since 2004.
Melanie Hauser
PGATOUR.com Correspondent
Pick: Phil Mickelson
Phil Mickelson. What will Phil do next? He's not been on our go-to list since that Winged Foot thing and the subsequent swoon. But no place better than here -- especially since he's playing away from the celebrity rotation -- to put himself back on our short list.
Dave Lagarde
PGATOUR.com Contributor
Pick: Phil Mickelson
Phil Mickelson. Lefty owns an impeccable record in the desert and will be looking to wash away a sour end to 2006 and get off '07 on the right foot.
John Maginnes
PGA TOUR Network on XM Radio analyst
Pick: Olin Browne
I think that you have to go with someone who loves the pro-am format. With that in mind, I am picking Olin Browne. So far this year the old guys have dominated. For the third week in a row there will be a little gray in the winners circle.
Helen Ross
PGATOUR.com Chief of Correspondents
Pick: Phil Mickelson
I hate to take the obvious choice, but how can you pick against Phil Mickelson? He is a two-time winner of the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, and Mickelson has won his season debut five times during his career. Not to mention, hes 141-under par in his first tournament of the year over the last decade and you have to go low in the desert.
Dave Shedloski
PGATOUR.com Senior Correspondent
Pick: Jerry Kelly
He's feeling better after dealing last year with a bad shoulder and, later in the year, adrenal failure. He began '07 committed to be less technical in his approach to playing and then went out and finished well in the Sony Open in Hawaii, which he had won in 2002. His Bob Hope Chrysler Classic record isn't that outstanding (just two top-10s) but he's never missed the cut there in 11 appearances, and he's an engaging person who enjoys pro-am formats.
Mike Vitti
PGATOUR.com ShotLink Analyst
Pick: John Senden
With a greens in regulation rate of 74.11 percent, Senden appears to have picked up where he left off in 2006. With this week being a multi-course event, I am going with the guy who appears to be able to hit greeens on any course. It also doesn't hurt that he has finished in the top six at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic in each of the last two years.

Wondering how our 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 Sony Open in Hawaii
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

The 2007 Champions Tour kicks off this week with the playing of the MasterCard Championship at Hualalai. PGATOUR.com Editorial Coordinator Lauren Deason offers up her pick to win.

Lauren Deason
PGATOUR.com Editorial Coordinator
Pick: Loren Roberts
With a field full of top players -- featuring major winners from the past five years, other tournament winners from the past two years and sponsors' invitees in Lanny Wadkins, Gary Player, Raymond Floyd and Ben Crenshaw -- it's going to take some spectacular golf to rise above the best of the Champions Tour. Loren Roberts is just the man to play that well, as he started a run of three consecutive victories here in 2006 and could very well take the title for the second year in a row. Not to mention, Roberts missed that memorable putt to lose the Charles Schwab Cup point's race by a mere 20 points to Jay Haas the last time he teed it up. Roberts, known as the "Boss of the Moss" for his putting prowess, will likely return ready for redemption.

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