Expert picks: J. Timberlake Shriners Hospital Open

text size

Editor's note: PGATOUR.COM has tried to make our experts work a little harder when they make their picks each week. The favorite can be anyone in the field, although Tiger Woods could only be used seven times during the year. Sleepers can't have won in 2008 or had a top 10 in their last five starts. A sleeper can't be ranked in the top 30 in the field, either.

• Who could surprise? Sleeper picks
• Join our new Facebook fan page and get in the discussion: Give us your picks on Facebook

T.J. Auclair
PGATOUR.COM Interactive Producer
Pick: Ryuji Imada
Imada is enjoying his best season yet on the PGA TOUR. He's had five top-10 finishes -- a win at the AT&T Classic, two runners-up and a tie for third in his last event, the Turning Stone Resort Championship. This could be the final start of the season for Imada and I'm thinking he'll make it a good one. Imada's history in Vegas isn't good -- three appearances with his best finish being a tie for 39th. That's going to change. He's a different player now.

Lauren Deason
PGATOUR.COM Editorial Coordinator
Pick: Mark Wilson
Wilson has really started playing well lately, finishing in the top 10 three times in his past six starts. He tied for second at the Valero Texas Open last week thanks to a final-round 63, which vaulted him into the runner-up spot. Wilson has been consistent in Las Vegas in the past five years, earning top-20 finishes four times in five tries (including a tie for 10th last year). Look for Wilson to perform well again at TPC Summerlin.

Melanie Hauser
PGATOUR.COM Correspondent
Pick: Jason Gore
Broke my own rule here, but so be it. Fatherhood agrees with him -- his second child is three weeks old -- and so does Vegas. Coming off a strong showing in San Antonio. If not Gore, Charlie Wi.

Dave Lagarde
PGATOUR.COM Correspondent
Pick: Davis Love III
Seems to be building toward something big down the stretch of the Fall Series. He's had a great deal of success in the Nevada desert. Wouldn't be surprised to see DL III in the winner's circle.

Win McMurry
Host, PGA TOUR Today
Pick: Mark Wilson
The Tar Heel grad is looking almost as good as his alma mater's football team. He finished tied for second after a 63 Sunday at the Valero Texas Open. Wilson has one top 10 at the Las Vegas stop and four top 20s in his last five starts. Look for him to cash in his chips this week at the Justin Timberlake Shriner's Hospitals for Children Open.

Scott Pianowski
The Fantasy Insider
Pick: Woody Austin
He's closing the year strongly and it's always more fun when he's a four-day story. When Austin has his iron game locked in, he's a threat to win anywhere.

Helen Ross
PGATOUR.COM Chief of Correspondents Pick: Jason Gore
Gore is on the outside looking into the money race, but he returns to a place where he finished in a tie for seventh last year. Not to mention, he has top-20s in three of his last six starts. Here's hoping the affable Californian hits the jackpot in Vegas.

Dave Shedloski
PGATOUR.COM Senior Correspondent
Pick: Pat Perez
There have been lots of breakthroughs at this event in recent editions; in fact, newcomers to the PGA TOUR victory ranks seem to like rolling the dice in Vegas. Pat Perez has the talent for multiple TOUR titles, but he needs his first, and it could come here after a strong finishing kick at the Valero Texas Open.