Expert Picks: Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial

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May. 20, 2008

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: Kenny Perry
The last two weeks have been a roller coaster ride for the pride of Franklin, Ky. First, Perry began the final round of THE PLAYERS Championship just one shot off the lead. What followed was an uncharacteristic 81 on Sunday that led to a tie for 15th. And then at the AT&T Classic, Perry found himself right in the mix again before losing on the first hole of a playoff to Ryuji Imada. During Saturday's telecast on CBS, PLAYERS runner-up Paul Goydos mentioned that Perry's streaks of solid play on the PGA TOUR typically last for months on end. Couple that with the fact that Perry is a former two-time winner at Colonial, and I like his chances this week.

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Lauren Deason
PGATOUR.COM Editorial Coordinator
Pick: Jim Furyk
If anyone is keeping track, you'd notice that I've picked Jim Furyk several times now. Every other week I've chosen him because he's playing well this year and seems poised for a win. This week, however, I've chosen him with a different rationale. Sergio Garcia won THE PLAYERS Championship two weeks ago after being the runner-up at that event last year. Same goes for Ryuji Imada, who won the AT&T Classic last week after being the runner-up last year. Who lost in a playoff to Rory Sabbatini at the 2007 Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial? Bernhard Langer and Furyk. Since Langer is now on the Champions Tour, that leaves Furyk to continue the trend.

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Melanie Hauser
PGATOUR.COM Correspondent
Pick: Jim Furyk
Talk about tough. We could see a couple of others in that red plaid jacket, too. Kenny Perry already has two of them, Stewart Cink will have one soon enough. Say it's the easy way out if you want, but he lost a playoff here last year under crummy conditions and just missed out a decade ago, too. All have great records and Cink will win soon. But thunderstorms on the horizon say Furyk.

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Dave Lagarde
PGATOUR.COM Correspondent
Pick: Kenny Perry
Can wipe out two disappointing weeks of close calls with his third victory at Hogan's Alley. Has shown a tendency to maintain solid play over a four- or five-week stretch in the past.

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John Maginnes
PGATOUR.COM Correspondent
Pick: Phil Mickelson
Phil Mickelson is the second-best player in the world and the highest-ranked player in the field this week in Fort Worth. It has been several months since Phil wondered into the winner's circle. I like No. 2 to pick up victory No. 2 at Colonial.

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Win McMurry
Host, PGA TOUR Today
Pick: Phil Mickelson
The highest-ranked player in the field has won on this historic venue in the past. Look for Phil to get his second win of the season at Colonial this week. This could be the last week before the world's No. 1 returns from knee surgery, so Lefty should take advantage while he can.

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Scott Pianowski
PGATOUR.COM Fantasy Insider
Pick: Kenny Perry
He's got two recent wins here (2003, 2005) and he's played seven outstanding rounds over the last two weeks. Assuming the fluke bounce from last week's playoff is quickly forgotten, Perry is too hot not to use in this spot.

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Helen Ross
PGATOUR.COM Chief of Correspondents
Pick: Anthony Kim
Kim, who has a home in nearby Dallas, has tons of confidence after winning the Wachovia Championship three weeks ago. Kim tied for 18th last year in his Colonial debut, opening with a 63 and shooting three of four rounds in the 60s. He simply ran out of gas over that wind-swept weekend in Ponte Vedra Beach, but after a week off, the man who has a win and a tie for second in his last four starts should be raring to go.

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Dave Shedloski
PGATOUR.COM Senior Correspondent
Pick: Jim Furyk
Precision and putting are the keys to navigating Colonial Country Club, and Furyk is one of the best in the game at navigating his way around a tough layout. His playoff loss last year should give him further motivation this time around.

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John Swantek
PGA TOUR Productions Fantasy Insider
Pick: Justin Leonard
By surging up the leaderboard after Ryuji Imada's win, I've left Maginnes in the rear-view mirror. Next victim; T.J. Auclair. Let's saddle up with the Dallas native. Ideal course for the straight-shootin' Texan who's inside the top 10 in driving accuracy and Greens in Regulation. He has corralled four career top ten finishes in front of his hometown posse at Colonial. OK, that's enough Lone Star lingo for now.

Expert Standings
Following the EDS Byron Nelson Championship
PGATOUR.com Experts 1st 2nd 3rd Top-10s Missed Cuts FedExCup Points
Win McMurry 5 3 3 13 9 39,180
Dave Shedloski 2 5 1 13 7 33,440
Scott Pianowski 2 4 2 13 12 30,360
Helen Ross 2 4 - 12 13 30,474
Lauren Deason 2 5 1 11 9 29,915
Melanie Hauser 2 2 - 11 9 28,328
T.J. Auclair 3 1 - 8 8 24,765
John Swantek 2 3 1 9 9 22,091
John Maginnes 1 3 2 8 13 19,597
Dave Lagarde 1 1 - 9 7 16,139
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