Oct. 17, 2007 Who could surprise? Tournament coverage
T.J. Auclair
PGATOUR.com Interactive Producer
Pick:Phil Mickelson
It's strange when you can say that the No. 2 player in the world has been inconsistent -- especially in a season where he's had three wins. But that's exactly what Mickelson has been with a host of uncharacteristic finishes, including four missed cuts in 21 starts. Throw the inconsistency out the window this week as Lefty plays at his home course, not far from his alma mater. Aside from the majors, you'd be hard pressed to find tournaments Mickelson gets more excited for than those played in Arizona.
Brett Avery
The Fantasy Insider
Pick: Phil Mickelson
This is a real love-hate pick: gotta love him in the desert so close to his alma mater of Arizona State University, gotta be concerned for his intensity post-Presidents Cup considering he slid off the map at the end of the last few seasons. Few players in this field can match his talents -- it almost goes without saying when you're No. 2 in the world -- but few players can squander talent as quickly as this guy. Either he thumps people hard this week en route to his fourth victory of the season, or he curls into the TOUR's equivalent of the fetal position and gets lost in the middle of the pack.
Lauren Deason
PGATOUR.com Editorial Coordinator
Pick: Aaron Baddeley
Reason No. 1 -- Badds didn't finish outside the top 25 in the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup and even logged a runner-up finish in the BMW Championship. Yes, that was several weeks ago, but the Scottsdale, Ariz., resident should be able to turn it on again near home. Which brings me to reason No. 2 -- Baddeley won the FBR Open earlier this season in Scottsdale and potentially could earn two victories in the same city in the same season. The last person to do it? Tiger Woods, 2003 in San Diego.
Melanie Hauser
PGATOUR.com Correspondent
Pick: Phil Mickelson
We could have gone with Bo Van Pelt or a host of others including FBR Open champ Aaron Baddeley. But this town? It's a Phil kinda town and a Phil kinda course. Think recovery shots. No one knows them better. Plus, another win wouldn't hurt going into the offseason. Then again, it's the fall, and everyone in the field is battling for something.
Dave Lagarde
PGATOUR.com Correspondent
Pick: Phil Mickelson
Grayhawk will hold few mysteries for Lefty this week. If he's interested in scoring a late-season victory -- and that isn't a cinch -- he is the class of the field.
John Maginnes
PGATOUR.com Contributor
Pick: Mike Weir
I know that Phil is in the field, but I like Mike Weir this week. He looked good last week in finishing 10th. He is still riding the emotional wave of taking down Tiger Woods in Montreal at The Presidents Cup. His swing looks sound, and his attitude is terrific. Look for the little lefty to do some damage in Scottsdale.
Helen Ross
PGATOUR.com Chief of Correspondents
Pick: Stewart Cink
Phil Mickelson at home in the desert was tempting -- to say the least. But Stewart Cink has played well this year, and he's coming off a tie for 11th and seventh in his last two events in the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup. Not to mention, he went 3-1-0 in The Presidents Cup. He's primed to win, and this could be the week.
Dave Shedloski
PGATOUR.com Senior Correspondent
Pick: Phil Mickelson
A former Arizona State All-American and Scottsdale resident, Mickelson used to hang out at Grayhawk Golf Club, so there's little chance that anyone in the field has more familiarity with the Raptor Course than Lefty. It doesn't hurt that he's playing some splendid golf right now, as evidenced by three wins and his Presidents Cup effort -- and that he's won four times in the desert, including his first PGA TOUR win in Tucson. Having missed the cut earlier this year at the FBR Open only adds to his desire to play well this week.
The Champions Tour stays in Texas this weekend for the AT&T Championship in San Antonio. PGATOUR.com Champions Tour expert Lauren Deason gives us her pick: Tom Kite
Kite's going to exorcize his Texas winless demons this week and finally earn a victory in the state he calls home. He's 0 for 119 on both Tours in the Lone Star State, but he finished third last week in Spring, Texas, and is hoping for an even higher finish in San Antonio.
Wondering how our PGATOUR.com experts are doing? Check out the latest standings:
| |
| PGATOUR.com Experts |
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
Top-10s |
Missed Cuts |
Money |
| Brett Avery |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
$1,230,271 |
| John Maginnes |
1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
$1,226,644 |
| Dave Shedloski |
1 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
$1,158,711 |
| Helen Ross |
1 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
$1,116,208 |
| Lauren Deason |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
$376,863 |
| Melanie Hauser |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
$309,732 |
| Dave Lagarde |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
$240,986 |
| T.J. Auclair |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
$151,444 |
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