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Expert Picks: Shell Houston Open
 
Mar. 28, 2007
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Which player will take the honors in this weekend's Shell Houston Open? Our experts weigh in:

T.J. Auclair
PGATOUR.com Interactive Producer
Pick: Lucas Glover
This week's Shell Houston Open will be a very special and emotional week for Glover. A star pupil of the late Dick Harmon -- who happened to be the director of golf at this week's venue -- there are few places Glover would rather win on TOUR. With the Masters just a week away, Glover will be on top of his game in Houston and playing for someone other than himself.
Brett Avery
The Fantasy Insider
Pick: Padraig Harrington
Despite ranking in last place when it comes to the weekly favorites and sleepers picks made by PGATOUR.com experts, TFI should be believed when he says this guy will do much better than last year's tie for 32nd in the Shell Houston Open. He hasn't finished below a tie for 30th anywhere in the world this year and has placed top 10 in nine of his last 15 starts. (Then again, it was TFI who at the last minute ditched Tiger Woods as his World Golf Championships-CA Championship pick in favor of David Toms, so tread gingerly.)
Lauren Deason
PGA TOUR.com Editorial Coordinator
Pick: David Toms
He was the PGA TOUR player consultant on the Redstone Golf Club course, which means he knows the layout well. He missed the cut in 2006, his best finish in 10 tries at the Shell Houston Open was a tie for ninth and Toms hasn't won since the 2006 Sony Open in Hawaii. But maybe this is the week his luck changes. After all, Davis Love III was in a similar situation last year when he won the Wyndham Championship -- he had redesigned the course and hadn't won in a while. Besides, Toms already has three top-10s this year and seems poised for a victory soon.
Melanie Hauser
PGATOUR.com Correspondent
Pick: Boo Weekley
Sometimes you have to say what the heck. Go against the flow. International field. History of Aussie winners. But... the guy we're taking believes in himself and doesn't care if no one else does. He knows he can win out here. Yep, he gave one away a few weeks ago, but we're betting he won't do it again. Most of all, Boo's comfortable in his own skin. And on this course.
Dave Lagarde
PGATOUR.com Contributor
Pick: Padriag Harrington
The Irishman is the highest-rated player in a wide-open field, so why not play the chalk? Consideration given to Adam Scott here as well, but look for Harrington to rise to the top.
John Maginnes
PGA TOUR Network on XM Radio analyst
Pick: Stuart Appleby
He will win again in Houston this week. He has proven that no matter how well he is playing when he gets to a golf course that he likes he is the man. Besides he needs some gas to go in those three Mercedes that he has in the driveway. After the "Rout at Redstone" a year ago I expect a closer race but in the end they will be picking apples.
Helen Ross
PGATOUR.com Chief of Correspondents
Pick: Jose Maria Olazabal
This is a hunch. The Spanish veteran was among the leaders after the first round of last week's World Golf Championships-CA Championship but fell back into the pack after an 80 in the second round. The last two times he's played the Shell Houston Open, though, he's finished third -- on two different courses. What's to say he can't prosper on a third? Not to mention, this is the two-time Masters's champ's time of year.
Dave Shedloski
PGATOUR.com Senior Correspondent
Pick: K.J. Choi
How can you pick against David Toms, who helped design the Tournament Course layout at Redstone? Well, it's not easy, but we're going instead with the able Korean talent who seems to handle long, hard courses better and better these days. This is a home game now for Choi, who is still working out the kinks in his bad back but is coming off a decent finish at the World Golf Championships-CA Championship.

Meanwhile, the Champions Tour heads to the inaugural Ginn Championship. Champions Tour correspondent Lauren Deason gives her pick:

Lauren Deason
PGATOUR.com Editorial Coordinator
Pick: Chip Beck
It's time for Chip Beck to break through and get his first Champions Tour win. One of the nicest guys on any tour, Beck began his Champions Tour career with four top-5s out of five starts but has only placed in the top 20 once this season. The University of Georgia Bulldog, like the rest of the field, is playing at Hammock Beach for the first time, so it's a wide-open race. Maybe four-time PGA TOUR winner Beck will have what it takes to become the tournament's first champion.

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 Shell Houston Open
PGATOUR.com Experts 1st 2nd 3rd Top 10s Missed Cuts Total FedExCup Points
Helen Ross 3 1 1 7 4 24512.3
Dave Shedloski 3 1 1 7 5 22620.7
T.J. Auclair 2 2 2 7 3 21949.2
Melanie Hauser 3 0 0 4 7 17604.3
John Maginnes 3 0 0 3 6 17161.9
Brett Avery 2 0 0 5 5 15272.3
Dave Lagarde 2 0 0 4 6 14358.3
Lauren Deason 1 1 1 5 3 12453.3

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