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Sleeper Picks: FBR Open
 
Jan. 31, 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 FBR Open? Our experts weigh in:

T.J. Auclair
PGATOUR.com Interactive Producer
Pick: Chris DiMarco
After back-to-back weeks playing tournaments in Abu Dhabi and Qatar, my sleeper pick to win the FBR Open is the guy who probably needs more sleep than anyone else playing this week -- Chris DiMarco. DiMarco has three top-fives in Phoenix, including his win in 2002 -- despite being "Noonan-ed" on No. 16 -- and solo second in 2004. This is his first start on TOUR for the 2007 season and it will be a solid one.
Brett Avery
The Fantasy Insider
Pick: Mark Calcavecchia
Dollar for salary dollar -- OK, sure, pound for pound, too - hes had the most unexpectedly phenomenal start, sharing eighth at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic and fourth at the Buick Invitational. Plus he's made the top 10 in Phoenix almost half the times hes entered (9-for-20).
Lauren Deason
PGA TOUR.com Editorial Coordinator
Pick: Camilo Villegas
The FBR Open draws the largest crowds of any TOUR event, so naturally a player who is used to galleries and adoring fans would thrive at the event. Camilo Villegas, who was named one of Peoples "Hottest Bachelors" in 2006, is a young heartthrob with a good golf game as well -- he tied for second at the FBR Open last year.
Melanie Hauser
PGATOUR.com Correspondent
Pick: Mark Calcavecchia
It's so tempting to pick Stewart Cink or Mike Weir, but we're thinking Calc here. He gave it a run early last year and he's picking up steam. Plus, he's only won here three times.
Dave Lagarde
PGATOUR.com Contributor
Pick: Mark Calcavecchia
He quietly tied for fourth in San Diego without actually challenging. Hes got nine top-10s in 20 starts in the desert with a victory on a course that feels like home-cooking.
John Maginnes
PGA TOUR Network on XM Radio analyst
Pick: John Rollins
You might think that I am a week too late on this one, but I disagree. John is the kind of player who knows how to ride a streak. Furthermore, he missed the playoff here last year by a single shot. Always pick a bomber at a bomber's paradise.
Helen Ross
PGATOUR.com Chief of Correspondents
Pick: Jeff Quinney
The PGA TOUR rookie is coming off a pair of top-10 finishes that have people talking. Hes not the biggest hitter on the block, but he's productive - ranking first in eagles and 25th in birdies -- so Quinney has the ability to go low at the TPC Scottsdale. Not to mention, he's an Arizona State alum, so he'll have plenty of support.
Dave Shedloski
PGATOUR.com Senior Correspondent
Pick: Bubba Watson
Long hitters can freewheel it a bit at the TPC Scottsdale and this is one of the PGA TOUR's most free wheels. Coming off a strong finish at the Buick Invitational, this lefty may do all right in his first appearance in the tournament. Seeing what winner J.B. Holmes and Camilo Villegas (T2) did last year in their FBR debuts should only embolden him.
Mike Vitti
PGATOUR.com ShotLink Analyst
Pick: Charles Warren
Warren is leading the TOUR in par-breaker percentage, making birdie or better on almost 30 percent of the holes he has played this season. He also enters the FBR Open ranked third in ball striking and seventh in putting average.

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 Bob Hope Chrysler Classic
PGATOUR.com Experts 1st 2nd 3rd Top 10s Missed Cuts Total FedExCup Points
Helen Ross 2 0 1 2 3 10899
Melanie Hauser 2 0 0 2 0 10783
T.J. Auclair 1 1 1 2 0 9567
John Maginnes 2 0 0 1 2 9393
Lauren Deason 1 0 1 3 1 7470
Brett Avery 1 0 0 0 1 5912
Dave Shedloski 1 0 0 1 3 5856
Dave Lagarde 1 0 0 0 1 5661
Mike Vitti 0 1 0 1 2 3585

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