Oct. 2, 2007Sleeper Picks: Who could surprise? | Video: Valero Texas Open preview
Which player could win at this weekend's Valero Texas Open? Our experts weigh in:
T.J. Auclair
PGATOUR.com Interactive Producer
Pick: Steve Flesch
The man hasn't missed a cut in his last seven starts, a stretch that has included four top-12 finishes, including two wins and a tie for fifth. While Texan Chad Campbell -- winner of last week's Viking Classic -- is in the field, Flesch is the hottest player coming into the Valero Texas Open. Anything else that happens this year with Flesch will just be icing on the cake. He's certainly not going to pack it in, but with a PGA TOUR card secured for the next two years, Flesch can be free-wheeling. Sometimes that's when guys play their best golf.
Brett Avery
The Fantasy Insider
Pick: Boo Weekley
Another solid finish in last week's Viking Classic (where he tied for third) continues the run he's been on since the AT&T National in early July. Last season on the Nationwide Tour, he had three top-eight finishes in September and October -- and this year on the PGA TOUR he's showing similar form.
Lauren Deason
PGATOUR.com Editorial Coordinator
Pick: Anthony Kim
Last year, then 21-year-old Kim debuted at the Valero Texas Open upon receiving a sponsor's exemption and proceeded to tie for second at the event. His first full season on TOUR has been equally as impressive, posting four top-10 finishes and qualifying for three of the four events in the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup. The former University of Oklahoma star tends to do well in the southwest, finishing tied for fifth at the Shell Houston Open earlier this season and tying for 18th at the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial in Fort Worth, Texas.
Melanie Hauser
PGATOUR.com Correspondent
Pick: Harrison Frazar
It came down to Rich Beem or Frazar and ... well, I have no clue why Frazar came out on top. Then again, every time I do this, the player I don't pick plays better. Both are Texas boys, but Frazar's coming off a confidence builder last week -- and a good finish here last year.
Dave Lagarde
PGATOUR.com Senior Correspondent
Pick: Johnson Wagner
When you're hot you're hot. Wagner missed his first PGA TOUR victory last week by a shot, but his solo second locked up his playing privileges for his sophomore season. So he's playing a different game this week. He has a tendency to keep going when things are going well. His main goal now is a victory. He'll be right there again this week.
John Maginnes
PGATOUR.com Contributor
Pick: Justin Leonard
Do you think he liked watching the Presidents Cup on television? Leonard is part of the folklore of American team competition, but he wasn't there. The first step to being on next year's Ryder Cup team could be another win in Texas. Look for the Texas Longhorn to capture his third Valero Texas Open title. He has a wonderful history here and will have plenty of crowd support. Furthermore, the course at La Cantera has had plenty of rain this year. The Bermuda rough should be nasty, just the way that Justin likes it.
Helen Ross
PGATOUR.com Chief of Correspondents
Pick: Brandt Snedeker
He's had two weeks off now since a whirlwind end to the season that saw Snedeker play the final six events. He won his first TOUR event at the Wyndham Championship and posted four other top-30 finishes during that stretch. Now that he's rested and recharged, look for him to provide an exclamation point to his Rookie-of-the-Year-caliber season.
Dave Shedloski
PGATOUR.com Senior Correspondent
Pick: Chad Campbell
Sometimes the light bulb goes off and a player finds his form. Campbell has never had trouble making birdies, and his weekend rush to the Viking Classic title was proof of that -- and a true thing of beauty for a player who had struggled for much of the year. It wouldn't surprise us if he won again soon ... like this week. Campbell's three starts have yielded two top-20s.
Nationwide Tour: Mark Christopher Charity Classic Pres'd by County of San Bernardino
Dave Lagarde's Pick: Jason Day
He will win another before the Nationwide Tour Championship. This is the first of four opportunities..
| Expert Results: Fall Series |
| Through The Turning Stone Resort Championship |
| PGATOUR.com Experts |
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
Top 10s |
Missed Cuts |
Total Money |
| Brett Avery |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
$1,209,658 |
| Dave Shedloski |
1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
$948,058 |
| John Maginnes |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
$389,094 |
| Helen Ross |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
$298,408 |
| Lauren Deason |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
$256,194 |
| Melanie Hauser |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
$187,653 |
| Dave Lagarde |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
$187,653 |
| T.J. Auclair |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
$129,658 |
|