The 50th Bob Hope Classic hosted by Arnold Palmer
Monday Jan 19 – Sunday Jan 25, 2009
  • Purse: $5.1 million (2008)
  • Winning Share: $918,000 (2008)
  • FedExCup Points: 500
  • http://www.bhcc.com

Expert Picks: Bob Hope Chrysler Classic

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Jan. 21, 2008

• Sleeper Picks: Who may surprise? | Get in the discussion: Give us your picks

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T.J. Auclair
PGATOUR.com Interactive Producer
Pick: Chad Campbell
This is going to be a big year for Campbell. Through two tournaments in 2008, Campbell already has just as many top-12 finishes -- two -- as he did in his 28 starts in 2007. Furthermore, through two events, Campbell has the TOUR's best birdie percentage on par 4s at 25 percent. That will be huge in the desert where making birdies is as important as staying hydrated. Though he missed the cut at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic in 2007, he won it in 2006. I like Campbell for a high finish this week.

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Lauren Deason
PGATOUR.com Editorial Coordinator
Pick: Mike Weir
Weir captured one of his eight PGA TOUR titles at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic in 2003 and he heads into this year's event after a solid fourth place finish at the Mercedes-Benz Championship in Hawaii. After a fabulous 2007 season, where Weir booked a return trip to the winner's circle at the Fry's Electronics Open after a three year drought and beat Tiger Woods in head-to-head competition at The Presidents Cup, expect him to continue to perform well in 2008.

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Melanie Hauser
PGATOUR.com Correspondent
Pick: Scott Verplank
Why? Why not. He finished T8 last year,second in '06 and is a perennial top-20 guy here. Five rounds and celebrities don't bother him. Plus, he's still on a roll from '07.

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Dave Lagarde
PGATOUR.com Correspondent
Pick: Lucas Glover
He apparently loves the California desert after ties for 10th and 13th in two appearances in the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. He would love to wipe out the memory of his final-round 80 here in 2007.

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John Maginnes
PGATOUR.com Contributor
Pick: Lucas Glover
Lucas Glover was right there going in to the final round a year ago. Obviously, he feels comfortable with the pro-am format. His only PGA TOUR victory came at another pro-am at Disney a couple of years ago. Multiple courses don't seem to bother him either. There is liable to be a little redemption on Lucas' mind this week after his chances a year ago were blown away on Sunday by 40 mph wind.

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Win McMurry
Host, PGA TOUR Today
Pick: John Rollins
Judging from past years, Rollins is a fast starter. He comes back to Palm Springs with good memories from last year having finished runner-up in a playoff with winner Charley Hoffman. He seems to like desert golf having also posted a runner-up finish last year at the FBR in Phoenix.

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Scott Pianowski
The Fantasy Insider
Pick: Mike Weir
He won here in 2003, came in fifth two years back, and he's got the ideal makeup to handle the longer event and the slower pace of play. I also like the fact that Weir took last week off, more time to get the mind and body right. Dial up the lefty.

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Helen Ross
PGATOUR.com Chief of Correspondents
Pick: Heath Slocum
He didn't win last year, but he was very consistent -- posting 16 top-25 finishes in 28 starts and earning a career-best $2.18 million. He turned in another solid performance at the Sony Open in Hawaii last week, finishing in a tie for 10th last week, and he returns to a place where he's had success before after sharing fourth a year ago at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic.

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Dave Shedloski
PGATOUR.com Senior Correspondent
Pick: Mike Weir
Had a chance to win the season-opener at the Mercedes-Benz Championship until a poor start to the final round left the door open for Daniel Chopra. Has proven that he is back on the upswing in his game, and now he heads to a place where he's had success before, having won the 2003 title -- though it should be pointed out that only one of the four layouts are still in use from five years ago (PGA West). Nevertheless, good form usually works anywhere.

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John Swantek
PGA TOUR Productions Fantasy Insider
Pick: Mike Weir
Ninety holes. five days. four courses. five-hour rounds. Hundreds of hideous swings from celebrity amateurs. That would upset the competitive rhythm of many players, but not Weir, whose game and mind is locked in right now. He has been on another level since his inspired Presidents Cup performance in Montreal last October. A strong fourth at Mercedes, he bypassed the Sony to focus on this event, which he won in 2003. Appears ready to strike.

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EXPERTS STANDINGS
Following Sony Open in Hawaii
PGATOUR.com Experts 1st 2nd 3rd Top-10s Missed Cuts FedExCup Points
Scott Pianowski - - 1 2 - 3490
John Maginnes - - 1 1 - 2548
Dave Shedloski - - - 2 - 2468
Melanie Hauser - - - 2 - 2310
T.J. Auclair - - - 1 - 2167
Dave Lagarde - - - 1 - 1779
Helen Ross - - - 1 - 1354
Lauren Deason - - - 1 1 1123
NOTE: Win McMurry and John Swantek make their first picks this week

PGATOUR.com also asked fans to send in their picks for this weekend's Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. Here is a sampling of the responses to comments@mail.pgatour.com:


Fans' Picks
I like Scott Verplank to win. He has a great history here, and his scoring ability is tops in the field. I like Ben Crane as a sleeper. He has a very good game. He is a West Coast guy. And, if he can stay healthy, he could have a good year. -- Craig B.
Watch out for Calc! He will strike early this year. -- Steve T.
Gotta go with David Duval. He was my last pick in my fantasy golf league and it pays me $120.00 for him to win. Ill go with my wallet, not my head. -- Bob A.
Thanks, T.J. Someone else still has faith in David Duval. I believe he's going to make a great comeback this year! (Maybe some kind of karma reward for putting his family first!) -- Becky R.
Richard Johnson is my pick. I might be slightly biased but he is my brother. I know how hard he has worked for this and how long it's taken, but he's ready for it. -- Robert J.
I pick Brett Wetterich to win. Sleeper pick is Bubba Watson. Both can knock it a mile and they should both do extremely well on the par 5s. If both can putt well and minimize the mistakes, either one could go really low, especially Wetterich. -- Sam V.
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