Expert Picks: Zurich Classic of New Orleans

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T.J. Auclair
PGATOUR.COM Interactive Producer
Pick: Nick Watney
For starters, Watney returns to New Orleans as the defending champion. Just two weeks ago at Bay Hill, he had a terrific tournament going until struggling a bit on Sunday and limping in with a 1-over-par 73, good for a tie for 21st. Watney tied for fifth in the season-opening Mercedes-Benz Championship and tied for 23rd at the PODS Championship. His game is beginning to peak and there's no better place to bring confidence than to the site of a past win.

Lauren Deason
PGATOUR.COM Editorial Coordinator
Pick: Padraig Harrington
The 2007 British Open champ has done no worse than a tie for 17th this year and tied for third at the Northern Trust Open. This will be his first PGA TOUR event since the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship and the major championship winner is one of the top players in the field. Oh, and he's fared pretty well in New Orleans in the past (a tie for ninth and a tie for 11th in 2005 and 2006, respectively).

Melanie Hauser
PGATOUR.COM Correspondent
Pick: Steve Stricker
Lots of options here, including Retief Goosen and Jim Furyk, and it would be easy to make a case for those and a half-dozen others. When you get that many bunched together, you just go with your first thought, and that was Stricker. His closing 63 at Doral didn't hurt.

Dave Lagarde
PGATOUR.COM Correspondent
Pick: Lucas Glover
Seven of the eight rounds Glover has play at TPC of Louisiana have been 70 or better. He has a tie for eighth in 2007 and a tie for third in 2005 to show for his work. What's more, Glover is a foodie who loves the culinary delights a city steeped in gastronomic history can provide. It's a match made in heaven because the man obviously is fond of the Pete Dye-designed layout as well.

Win McMurry
Host, PGA TOUR Today
Pick: Mark Calcavecchia
Calc has had a strong start to his 2008 season with 2 top-10s, a top-15 and a top-20. Last year he tied for fifth in New Orleans. His GIR average is the highest in this week's field, and as Nick Watney proved in 2007, it's key to the Zurich win. This TOUR vet is going to strike hot again this week in Louisiana. Plus, Calc loves the Crescent City, saying he'd play every year they'll have him back.

Scott Pianowski
The Fantasy Insider
Pick: Jim Furyk
Four consistent rounds are the key when we hit TPC Louisiana, which leads me to Furyk, the ultimate "steady Eddie" coming off a second-place check last week.

Dave Shedloski
PGATOUR.COM Senior Correspondent
Pick: Padraig Harrington
If you're looking for a player who has some good experiences on Pete Dye courses, the reigning Open champion isn't a bad place to start. The Irishman was twice runner-up at THE PLAYERS at TPC Sawgrass, and he tied for ninth three years ago at the TPC Louisiana, so there's a correlation there worth considering.

Helen Ross
PGATOUR.COM Chief of Correspondents
PIck: Retief Goosen
His performance at Doral last week in the World Golf Championships-CA Championship admittedly was impressive. What was more interesting, though, was the enthusiasm Goosen showed after that tie for second. He'll be playing in his seventh straight event, but he's encouraged by the progress he's made. Maybe the Big Easy will be lucky for one of Ernie Els' best friends who is try

John Swantek
PGA TOUR Productions Fantasy Insider
Pick: Steve Marino
Leads Tour in total birdies with 148, playing a TPC Louisiana layout that surrendured the 8th most birdies all year in 07'. That's a combination that goes together like red beans and rice. New Orleans will crown its 6th first time winner in the last 7 years, this week.