Expert Picks: Buick Open
 
Jun. 28, 2007

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Which player could win at this weekend's BuickOpen? Our experts weigh in:

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T.J. Auclair
PGATOUR.com Interactive Producer
Pick: Jim Furyk
This is probably the most obvious pick possible this week, but what can you say? Furyk's record at Warwick Hills is incredible. He has six top-10s in his last six starts in Flint, including a win in 2003 and a second-place showing to Tiger Woods in 2006. With Tiger off for the week while he tends to daddy-duty with his beautiful new daughter, Sam, Furyk has got to be the favorite to become just the fifth multiple winner in the history of the Buick Open.

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Brett Avery
The Fantasy Insider
Pick: Jim Furyk
That's two runner-up finishes in three starts (Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial, U.S. Open), which gets old kind of fast but works oh-so-well in the fantasy format. He came equally close in the Buick in 2001 and last year -- and he's clearly the cream of this field so almost a slam-dunk selection. He ranks 49th in par breakers (19.44 percent) but can make them when needed, and Warwick Hills is one place they're needed.

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Lauren Deason
PGATOUR.com Editorial Coordinator
Pick: Jim Furyk
He will be the hot pick this week, no doubt, since Furyk has some pretty impressive stats when it comes to the Buick Open. Though he's only won the event once, in 2003, Furyk has never missed a cut in 12 tries and has finished in the top 10 seven times in Granc Blanc, Mich. In 2006 he also earned a runner-up finish, one of two he's earned at the Buick Open in his career. Even more notable is that, out of 48 rounds, Furyk has only finished over par once, shooting a 75 way back in 1997. With defending champ Tiger Woods sitting out to spend time with his new daughter, Furyk is hands down the favorite.

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Dave Lagarde
PGATOUR.com Correspondent
Pick: Jim Furyk
You can't ignore his accomplishments at Warwick Hills, including his victory in 2003. He has played 33 consecutive rounds under par and has seven top-10 finishes in 12 starts. He's never missed a cut and has been at par or better in 47 of 48 career rounds and under par in 43 for an aggregate of 165 under. That's the definition of a horse for a course.

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Melanie Hauser
PGATOUR.com Correspondent
Pick: Scott Verplank
Yes, we know Jim Furyk is a smart play, but so is Scotty V. He's having an amazing season and still gets overlooked on short lists. He won here almost two decades ago and has a pair of ties for seventh (including the U.S. Open) and joint eighth in his last three starts. Then there was that emotional win at the EDS Byron Nelson Championship ... He's smart, funny and tough. Then there are those two cups in his future -- the Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup. And, by the way, yes, I know I went with J.J. Henry last week over Hunter Mahan. Don't rub it in.

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John Maginnes
PGATOUR.com Contributor
Pick: Jim Furyk
Furyk is not happy. His press conference after the U.S. Open was honest and pointed. Winning the Buick Open may not completely eliminate his disappointment from Oakmont, but it should ease the pain a little. Look for Jim to have a chip on his shoulder this week. Few players in the game can harness their emotions as well as Furyk. This week he will turn a negative into a positive.

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Helen Ross
PGATOUR.com Chief of Correspondents
Pick: Jim Furyk
I'd be shocked if this one isn't a consensus pick. I mean, the man has shot 33 straight rounds under par at Warwick Hills. He's never missed a cut in 12 starts at the Buick Open, he won in 2003 and he has two other runner-up finishes, including last year. Then there's that little matter of his second-place finish at the U.S. Open to inspire confidence. I like to offer alternatives -- it's my Libra nature -- but even I couldn't pick against the No. 3 player in the world this week.

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Dave Shedloski
PGATOUR.com Senior Correspondent
Pick: Jim Furyk
Sorry, but there just isn't a better candidate than our man, Jim, who, starting with 2001 has whipped up on Warwick Hills and has finished 2-10-1-6-6-2 in that stretch. The TOUR Insider can connect those dots. Throw in his recent excellent form -- including joint second at the U.S. Open -- and this is a no-brainer, even for me.

The Nationwide Tour is in New York this week at the Peek'n Peak Classic. Dave Lagarde gives us his pick:
Chez Reavie -- If he can come down from his break-through victory last week, Reavie should have a heck of an opportunity to repeat. He finished in a tie for sixth in this event in 2006, the highlight of his season.

The Champions Tour also heads to New York this week for the Commerce Bank Championship. Lauren Deason gives us her pick:
Jay Haas -- Recent back-to-back wins at the Principal Charity Classic and the Commerce Bank Championship + two other wins in 2007 = Jay Haas at the top of his game. As he gets set to play the Commerce Bank Championship in New York this week, he's the favorite (again) and will probably find a way to win (again). The current Charles Schwab Cup points leader tied for third at the tournament last year.

Wondering how our PGATOUR.com experts are doing? Check out the latest standings:

How they're doing
The 2007 record of PGA TOUR.com experts after last week's Travelers Championship
PGATOUR.com Experts 1st 2nd 3rd Top 10s Missed Cuts Total FedExCup Points
T.J. Auclair 4 5 3 14 8 43,297
Dave Shedloski 4 3 1 12 8 40,662
Helen Ross 3 2 2 12 6 34,085
Dave Lagarde 5 1 0 12 11 33,927
Melanie Hauser 4 3 0 10 14 33,694
Brett Avery 2 2 2 9 9 26,933
John Maginnes 3 2 0 8 11 25,870
Lauren Deason 1 4 1 9 9 22,268

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