Playoff Picks: Who'll be the biggest surprise?

text size

Editor's note: The second edition of the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup is upon us. Before the first ball is struck, our panel of experts give us their pick for the player who just may shock the world next month after THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola.

• Who could raise the Cup? Expert picks | Who'll rise through the ranks? Biggest mover picks
• Join our new Facebook fan page and get in the discussion: Give us your picks on Facebook

T.J. Auclair
PGATOUR.COM Interactive Producer
Pick: Carl Pettersson
I like momentum. Apart from Padraig Harrington, it's not likely that any player in the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup will come into the four-tournament series with more momentum than Pettersson. He's coming off a win in Greensboro at the Wyndham Championship, which really culminates a good season. Prior to Sunday, Pettersson had four top-10s, but no victories to show for his efforts. Now at No. 13 in the standings, Pettersson got just the push he needed to get the game firing on all cylinders for the postseason.

Lauren Deason
PGATOUR.COM Editorial Coordinator
Pick: Adam Scott
I was honestly surprised that Adam Scott was so far down in the FedExCup standings at the start of the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup. He's currently 23rd, which places him easily within reach of catching the leaders. Provided he plays in each event, Scott will be playing in tournaments where he's had several high finishes. In fact, he's won two of them, including THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola in 2006 and the Deutsche Bank Championship in 2003. He had a solo second at the Barclays in 2006, was runner-up at the Deutsche Bank Championship in 2004 and finished fourth at the BMW Championship in 2007. Four tournaments, four chances for him to improve significantly in the standings.

Melanie Hauser
PGATOUR.COM Correspondent
Pick: Ben Curtis
I almost took Ernie Els, but decided to go with another former Champion Golfer of the Year. Curtis has been solid and he's on a roll. There's no time like the present to let this thing play out.

Dave Lagarde
PGATOUR.COM Correspondent
Pick: Sergio Garcia
I just feel like he has another victory in him in 2008. One more would cap off a good season for THE PLAYERS Championship winner and erase some -- but certainly not all -- of his close call in the PGA. He remains one of the game's best ball-strikers and it appears his shaky putting stroke is getting a little more solid.

John Maginnes
PGATOUR.COM Contributor
Pick: Ian Poulter
Poulter has had moments of brilliance this year. He has played every weekend on the PGA TOUR except for the U.S. Open when he was forced to withdraw. He came back a few weeks later and finished second in the British Open. The flashy Brit enters the Playoffs ranked 62nd which should guarantee him entry into the first two Playoffs but certainly not into the final two. The way he has been playing, though, it seems likely that Ian can go ahead and make his reservations for Atlanta.

Win McMurry
Host, PGA TOUR Today
Pick: Ryuji Imada
Imada snuck into the top 10 before the Wyndham Championship -- which is a bit of a surprise. I think he will have some more solid finishes in the first three weeks of the Playoffs to put his name in the hat for THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola in Atlanta. He snagged his first career victory in Georgia's capital earlier this year at the AT&T Classic. Oh, and he is a Georgia Bulldog, so he'll have the fan support!

Scott Pianowski
The Fantasy Insider
Pick: Nick O'Hern
O'Hern's patience and consistency should serve him well in the Playoffs. He hadn't missed a cut in three months before his mis-step in Michigan, and I like steady iron players who can also roll the ball well.

Helen Ross
PGATOUR.COM Chief of Correspondents
Pick: Ben Curtis
He's got two top-10s and a tie for 13th in his last four starts. He came within a whisker of winning his second major at the PGA Championship. He's motivated and needs to impress U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Paul Azinger. Need I say more?

Dave Shedloski
PGATOUR.COM Senior Correspondent
Pick: Boo Weekley
Weekley is unassuming, but very talented. One thing is certain: Weekley won't be intimidated by the process or the courses.

John Swantek
PGA TOUR Productions Fantasy Insider
Pick: Ian Poulter
The Playoffs are when athletes make statements, and it's time for the stylish Brit to make one with his game, not just his threads. The runner-up finish at Royal Birkdale seemed to infuse Poulter with a surge of confidence. Just getting the feeling that he'll like the bright lights of New York, Boston and Chicago. Atlanta will have to wait, at the moment, but at (62nd) in the point standings, the Englishman needs to make his move now. No better time to deliver than in a big moment.