Sleeper Picks: Buick Invitational

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• Expert Picks: Who may win? | Get in the discussion: Give us your picks

T.J. Auclair
PGATOUR.com Interactive Producer
Pick: Brandt Snedeker
Snedeker wooed Southern Californians with his 61 at Torrey Pines as a rookie last year. That performance alone -- he finished third -- spawned a season's worth of confidence, which culminated with a win at the Wyndham Championship and PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year honors. Consider the Buick Invitational the place Snedeker truly hit the big time. Also expect his immense talents to grow as the years go on. Finally, don't be surprised to see him hoisting the trophy on Sunday.

Lauren Deason
PGATOUR.com Editorial Coordinator
Pick: Brett Rumford
If I'm going for the truly obvious with my expert pick by choosing Tiger to win the tournament, then I'll at least do the same for the sleeper and go with someone completely unexpected. The Buick Invitational was kind to young up-and-comers last year as Brandt Snedeker, Jeff Quinney and Andrew Buckle all placed in the top-10. Now Dustin Johnson, Chez Reavie and Brett Rumford are the relative newcomers off to good starts this season. Three-time European Tour winner Rumford is my choice to watch at the Buick Invitational -- he placed second at q-school in December 2007 and tied for eighth at last week's Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. The Australian looks poised for a solid first PGA TOUR season.

Melanie Hauser
PGATOUR.com Correspondent
Pick: Charles Howell III
So many good choices here including Brandt Snedeker, Stephen Marino and Beemer. But Howell has a comfort zone on the coast and good feelings here -- three top sevens in five years. Good season opener a few weeks ago.

Dave Lagarde
PGATOUR.com Correspondent
Pick: Brandt Snedeker
Loved the way he handled himself here in his first start as a member of the PGA TOUR. Perhaps pleasant memories will suit the 2007 rookie of the year just fine.

John Maginnes
PGATOUR.com Contributor
Pick: Brett Rumford
Dark horses do tend to crop up at the Buick Invitational and often times they are rookies. Nathan Greene a couple of years ago and Brandt Snedeker last year both made runs at the title. I like Brett Rumford to make a splash this week at the Buick. He is already off to a fast start in his first year on the PGA Tour. With three European Tour wins to his credit this kid can play. He may not be able to take down Tiger but it seems likely that he will have a good week on an ever growing stage.

Win McMurry
Host, PGA TOUR Today
Pick: J.B. Holmes
Torrey Pines is one of the longest courses on tour and it's a good fit for holmes, one of the longest hitters on tour. He had a solid opening tournament in Hawaii. He finished tied for 17th at the Sony Open, his only start this year.

Scott Pianowski
The Fantasy Insider
Pick: Hunter Mahan
Forget his short history at this track, he hasn't done a thing here. But when Mahan steps on a golf course with full confidence, I don't care what the layout looks like. His monster second half of 2007 left a mark, as did his 69-64 finish at the Mercedes-Benz Championship. He's not afraid of a star-studded field, he hits it long *and* straight, and I'm not afraid to select him at any time. There's a monstrous upside here.

Helen Ross
PGATOUR.com Chief of Correspondents
Pick: Dustin Johnson
This young man, straight out of college, has been impressive this year with a top-10 at the Sony Open in Hawaii and a tie for 12th last week in the desert. It will be interesting to see if the Coastal Carolina product can surprise here like Brandt Snedeker did a year ago.

Dave Shedloski
PGATOUR.com Senior Correspondent
Pick: Robert Allenby
Long enough to handle Torrey Pines South and plays well on the West Coast. His Buick Invitational record includes a tie for ninth last year. The talented Australian, who was 12th at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic after missing the cut at the Sony Open in Hawaii, hasn't won on the PGA TOUR since 2001, so he is way past due.

John Swantek
PGA TOUR Productions Fantasy Insider
Pick: Pat Perez
Talent has never been the issue, but emotional control. Only results will silence the skeptics. His strongest performances in 07' came on classic, old style layouts; Riviera, Colonial and Congressional. Likewise, Torrey Pines is right in his wheelhouse; he grew up on the course. Serve up some home cookin' for the San Diego kid.

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