Expert Picks: The PLAYERS

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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 can 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: Anthony Kim
After the 22-year-old's impressive thump-job on the rest of the field at the Wachovia Championship last week, I'm officially on the Kim bandwagon. Many have said Kim is a star in the making, but I needed to see some evidence before believing it. Now I want to be president of the fan-club. In 10 starts for 2008, he's got three top-3 finishes. He's been knocking on the door for a while now and on Sunday he kicked the thing right down. Mark O'Meara has likened Kim's talents to those of Tiger Woods at the same age. I'm certainly not ready to go that far just yet -- come see me in another 10 years and we'll re-access that. Either way, he's riding momentum into THE PLAYERS and will face a shotmaker's course in TPC Sawgrass much like he did at Quail Hollow.

Lauren Deason
PGATOUR.COM Editorial Coordinator
Pick: Jim Furyk
I whittled my choices down to Furyk or Stewart Cink, who tied for third at THE PLAYERS last year and is having one of the best seasons to date on the PGA TOUR. But I went with the local -- Furyk lives in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., and it would be something special for him to win in his adopted home town. Keep this in mind -- Furyk himself said last week that he felt like he was close to winning soon, something he hasn't done since capturing his 13th title in the middle of last year.

Melanie Hauser
PGATOUR.COM Correspondent
Pick: Adam Scott
Yes, the list here is long. It would be easy to pick Veege or Furyk or even go for Fred Couples. And, make no mistake, Steve Elkington is lurking. But gotta stick with a hot hand. Scott's off week at Wachovia was still a top 10, so . . . .

Dave Lagarde
PGATOUR.COM Correspondent
Pick: Stewart Cink
He's going to get over the victory hump soon if he keeps hanging around at the top of leader boards. Has a consistent record at The Players. Why not a big one for Cink?

John Maginnes
PGATOUR.COM Contributor
Pick: Jim Furyk
Jim Furyk is primed and ready to win another huge golf tournament. The 2003 U.S. Open champ lives in Ponte Vedra and plays out of the TPC Sawgrass. Not to mention that he is coming off consecutive top-10 finishes and hasn't won this year. Look for Furyk who always plays well here to finally push through and become THE PLAYERS champion.

Win McMurry
Host, PGA TOUR Today
Pick: Vijay Singh
Home-course advantage. It worked for Fred Funk (2005 champ), and if anyone spends more time on this course, it's Vijay. He has not won on this track, though he's come close. Since 2001, he has recorded a runner-up finish, two top-15s and a top-10. In 15 starts at THE PLAYERS, his average finish is 36th. Which is higher than defending champion Phil Mickelson, who has 14 starts.

Scott Pianowski
The Fantasy Insider
Pick: Vijay Singh
It's a home game for him and he's hit the ball beautifully for two months. Tiger's not in the way, obviously. Singh didn't contend at The PLAYERS last year but he was around the lead in 2004, 2005 and 2006. Give him adequate putting on the weekend and he can hoist the trophy here.

Helen Ross
PGATOUR.COM Chief of Correspondents
Pick: Stewart Cink
He's playing too well not to win something soon and the hard-working Cink would be the ultimate PLAYERS' champion. He tied for eighth last week at the Wachovia Championship, his sixth top-10 in 10 starts this season. He also has two runner-up finishes and a pair of thirds. A year ago, Cink closed with a 66 to tie for third at THE PLAYERS so he knows he can play the TPC Sawgrass. Could this be his year?

Dave Shedloski
PGATOUR.COM Senior Correspondent
Pick: Adam Scott
Was thinking of Phil Mickelson all the way up to typing a name and then opted to stick with the young and surging Aussie for another week. A strong finish at the Wachovia Championship validated his selection last week, and caused us to take him again.

John Swantek
PGA TOUR Productions Fantasy Insider
Pick: Adam Scott
Not to overstate it, but this is a career defining week for the 27-year-old Aussie, shouldering the burden of "potential" greatness. The dramatic playoff win in Dallas was a big step but a second PLAYERS would be a huge step forward. I think he's got it in him, this week.