Hyundai Tournament of Champions
Friday Jan 6 – Monday Jan 9, 2012

Sleeper Picks: Maui

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Jan. 1, 2008

• Expert Picks: Who will win?

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T.J. Auclair
PGATOUR.com Interactive Producer
Pick: Chad Campbell

Until looking at the field, I had forgotten about Campbell's win at the Viking Classic in 2007 -- probably because it was the same week as the Presidents Cup. In any event, I'm expecting a lot from Campbell in 2008. I thought if ever there was a sure thing to shoot to stardom, he was it after the way he played in the 2003 PGA Championship at Oak Hill. Instead of progressing, though, Campbell sort of slipped back. This year he'll get it together again. I expect to see him make the Ryder Cup team outright. A win in Maui would be a perfect start.

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Lauren Deason
PGATOUR.com Editorial Coordinator
Pick: Fred Funk
Lucky Funk will be spending a few weeks in Hawaii thanks to his wins on both the Champions Tour and PGA TOUR in 2007. What better way to start his month-long foray than to pick up a win this week at Kapalua? In his last start in Hawaii, Funk set a Champions Tour record with an 11-stroke victory at the Turtle Bay Championship. The strong Hawaiian breezes can wreck havoc on a golf swing but veteran Funk knows what shots it takes to win against an relatively new group of PGA TOUR winners.

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Melanie Hauser
PGATOUR.com Correspondent
Pick: Justin Leonard
Almost went with Woody, but in the end, came down to who can play the wind. Gotta go with the Texan here. His win in San Antonio late in the year was an exclamation point to the changes he's made to his swing and his mental approach.

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Dave Lagarde
PGATOUR.com Correspondent
Pick: George McNeil
Likely the longest shot in the field of 32. But considering he was a club pro less than two years ago he's come a long way baby just to be in this elite group.

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John Maginnes
PGATOUR.com Contributor
Pick: Boo Weekley
Let me be the first person in 2008 to ask the question that we will probably hear a lot this year....why not Boo Weekley? And you thought that Will Mackenzie was a fish out of water at the Ritz Carlton last year. I like Boo this week because he has the type of game that tends to thrive here. He is long and plays fabulous iron shots.. Even with the new greens there is still enough grain to give an advantage to guys who love Bermuda grass. To play well here you have to give yourself a lot of opportunities. That is exactly what Boo does.

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Scott Pianowski
The Fantasy Insider
Pick: Stephen Ames
His first five months of 2007 had more peaks than valleys (a cranky back didn't help), but Ames got his game going in the summer, then closed with a rush, winning at Walt Disney World, then taking the LG Skins Game. Assuming his back doesn't tighten up on the flight over, Ames can sneak up on this field.

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Helen Ross
PGATOUR.com Chief of Correspondents
Pick: Brandt Snedeker
Snedeker admits he still has plenty to learn. But a victory at the Wyndham Championship made him the valedictorian of his class and the 2007 PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year is eager to see how he can build on that momentum. He came within a shot of forcing a playoff at the Australian Open three weeks ago, too, so his game appears to be in top form. He could be a factor in his first trip to Maui.

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Dave Shedloski
PGATOUR.com Senior Correspondent
Pick: Chad Campbell
Campbell arrived early and his attitude couldn't be better after a late-season victory at the Viking Classic. This texan is a good wind player, and that's always a plus on the windy west Maui slopes. Granted, his record isn't stellar in his three previous starts, but I think he's on the uptick.

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