Expert Picks: AT&T National

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Jul. 1, 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: John Rollins
Rollins didn't let me down as a sleeper pick last week in the Buick Open, where he picked up his first top-10 of the season with a tie for ninth, thanks largely to a 7-under 65 in the final round. I expect the momentum to carry over into the AT&T National. The finish at Warwick Hills on Sunday might just be the spark Rollins needed to get his season on track.

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Lauren Deason
PGATOUR.com Editorial Coordinator
Pick: Stuart Appleby
When trying to make a pick for this week, I perused last year's results from the AT&T National and Appleby's name immediately caught my eye. In 2007, he tied for third at Congressional Country Club, a course that suits his game, and might have won if not for a 76 on Sunday that caused Appleby to lose the lead he had held or shared all week. Plus he heads into this tournament playing some top-notch golf after a tie for 15th at THE PLAYERS in May and a tie for 20th at the Memorial Tournament. Appleby has missed only two cuts all season and rattled off a string of five consecutive top-10 finishes at the start of the year. This is the Aussie's week to redeem last year's loss and hoist the U.S. Capitol building trophy.

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Melanie Hauser
PGATOUR.com Correspondent
Pick: Rocco Mediate
Almost didn't make this pick because, well, it's hard to go against Furyk, Stricker, Mahan or Allenby. But, then it was .. why not? The new People's Choice in the nation's capital on the country's ultimate red-white-and-blue holiday? He's been playing great, golf owes him one for that iconic battle at Torrey, so we say, rock on.

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Dave Lagarde
PGATOUR.com Correspondent
Pick: John Rollins
Rollins scored his first top-10 of the year at the Buick Open, aided by a 64 and 65, his best two numbers in what has been a down season. Then, he turned around and qualified for the 2008 British Open on Monday, another indication his game is finally coming around. Only drawback is an extra 36 holes was added to his week.

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John Maginnes
PGATOUR.com Contributor
Pick: Fred Couples
Last week's Buick Open was another one for the old guys. This seems to be a year where the new breed is battling the 40-somethings. Look for another veteran to capture the title this week at the AT&T National and this could just one or the most popular victories of the year. With renewed vigor in his game, Fred Couples has played like the old Boom Boom at times this year. On the tough Congressional layout, Freddy just might find himself back in the winner's circle this week.

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Win McMurry
Host, PGA TOUR Today
Pick: Steve Stricker
The reigning Comeback Player of the Year needs a win soon to have a shot at that title for a third year in a row. The Wisconsin native finished second a year ago to KJ Choi to kickstart his 2007 season before he won the first FedExCup event. Stricker, currently seventh in the Official World Golf Ranking, has finished inside the top 10 in five of the eight cuts he's made on TOUR this season, though the last was in mid-March. I think this player, known for his comeback ability, will come through this week in a big way.

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Scott Pianowski
The Fantasy Insider
Pick: Robert Allenby
He ran sixth here last year, and his 2008 season isn't getting enough love; Allenby hasn't missed a cut since the Sony Open, and he's cashed five top-10 checks. The way Allenby's hitting his irons this year (third in GIR), he's a threat to win anywhere.

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Helen Ross
PGATOUR.com Chief of Correspondents
Pick: Rocco Mediate
He tied for eight last year at Congressional in the inaugural AT&T National and we all know he's playing well. In addition to that U.S. Open playoff loss, he tied for sixth at the Memorial Tournament and shot 11 under last week at the Buick Open. Plus, he could qualify for the British Open if he can maintain his position in the top-two on a special money list that is finalized on Sunday night.

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Dave Shedloski
PGATOUR.com Senior Correspondent
Pick: Jim Furyk
His game hasn't clicked, and he's been battling a balky putter. Performance at last week's Buick Open didn't offer much hope for a reversal. Still, we like his Congressional record, and he's too good to remain mired in a downturn.

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John Swantek
PGATOUR.com Productions Fantasy Insider
Pick: Brandt Snedeker

Throw out the missed cut at the Buick Open last week. Snedeker thrives on more exacting layouts like Congressional. His tie for third at the Masters and tie for ninth at the U.S. Open is all you need to know about the quality of his game. Don't be fooled by the Huck Finn charm, this is one tough competitor who tied for eighth here last year.



Expert Standings
How our experts are faring after the Buick Open
PGATOUR.com Experts 1st 2nd 3rd Top-10s Missed Cuts FedExCup Points
Win McMurry 7 4 3 16 9 52,066
Melanie Hauser 5 3 - 15 10 44,664
Lauren Deason 4 7 1 15 10 44,000
Dave Shedloski 2 6 1 14 11 36,802
Scott Pianowski 2 6 2 16 13 36,009
Helen Ross 2 5 - 16 13 35,999
Dave Lagarde 4 2 - 14 9 33,273
John Maginnes 3 3 2 10 15 31,207
T.J. Auclair 3 1 - 10 10 27,420
John Swantek 2 3 1 9 11 23,826
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