Sleeper picks: J. Timberlake Shriners Hospital Open

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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.

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T.J. Auclair
PGATOUR.COM Interactive Producer
Pick: Davis Love III
It's got to turn around for Davis, doesn't it? A guy like Love just doesn't go two-plus years without winning a TOUR event. He came close at Turning Stone, bouncing back magnificently after a sour 75 in the first round to ultimately tie for third. He starts this week at No. 131 on the money list and needs a big week. He's won in Vegas before, but that was way back in 1993. Can he find the magic again this week?

Lauren Deason
PGATOUR.COM Editorial Coordinator
Pick: Fred Couples
This will be Couples' 16th year participating in the event in Las Vegas, where he's had five top-10 finishes. He's struggled in the past few weeks on the PGA TOUR -- the last three times he's teed it up in 2008, Couples has missed the cut -- but that included the PGA Championship and the first two events in the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup. Before that, Couples' year was going extremely well and included highlights like a tie for 15th at THE PLAYERS Championship and a tie for fourth at the Shell Houston Open. While Couples only has a year left until he's Champions Tour eligible, I think he's got it in him to earn another PGA TOUR victory.

Melanie Hauser
PGATOUR.COM Correspondent
Pick: Steve Elkington
The sleeper pool and its rules took a big hit last week with some great finishes. So the dart falls on Elk and his closing 61 at LaCantera. Keep an eye on Joe Durant, too.

Dave Lagarde
PGATOUR.COM Correspondent
Pick: Davis Love III
Coming off three successive top-20s at this event, could be a season-changing happening for Van Pelt?

Win McMurry
Host, PGA TOUR Today
Pick: Davis Love III
He needs a strong finish to retain his PGA TOUR card for 2009 without having to cash in on a one-time exemption for all-time earnings. In the past, when he's had to make things happen, luck has been on his side. He needed a victory at the 2006 Wyndham Championship to secure a spot in that year's TOUR Championship field, and he made it happen. That also gave him a two year exemption, which expires at the end of this season. He has six top 10s in Las Vegas, including a victory. His last start was in 2005 when he tied for 12th. I've got my money on Love this week--another fellow Carolina graduate.

Scott Pianowski
The Fantasy Insider
Pick: Bo Van Pelt
He enters the tourney on a roll (nine checks in 10 starts), and he likes teeing it up in the desert. Van Pelt ran fifth here last season, the fourth straight time he's improved his standing at this event.

Helen Ross
PGATOUR.COM Chief of Correspondents Pick: Jason Day
The young Australian started his rookie year with such promise but has tapered off of late. He finds himself 130th on the money list, so he needs to get back on track -- and quickly -- in Vegas this week.

Dave Shedloski
PGATOUR.COM Senior Correspondent
Pick: Fred Couples
Presidents Cup captain Fred Couples is teeing it up for the first time since the Deutsche Bank Championship, where he missed his third cut in a row. Definitely a long shot here, but Couples has shown a propensity for good play in desert settings (see Skins Game, Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, etc.) He still kills the ball off the tee, but if he mixes in some accuracy this week, there's no reason for him to not contend with his boundless talent.