Apr. 28, 2009
The Zurich Classic takes place at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, La. Here's how the PGATOUR.COM experts sized up the top contenders:
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SLEEPER PICKS How it works: Our 10 experts from PGATOUR.COM select any player who isn't ranked in the top 20 of the FedExCup rankings, the top 30 of the Official World Golf Ranking and hasn't won that season. By using a draft process, no two picks can be the same. EXPERT PICKS Who do our experts think will capture the Zurich Classic of New Orleans title? Here's who they've picked to win. Click here |
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| Sleeper picks: Zurich Classic of New Orleans |
Ryan Smithson |
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TODD HAMILTON. This guy is proof that true talent never fades away. He had a wonderful Masters and an exceptional (T4) week at Harbour Town. Truly nice to see. |
T.J. Auclair |
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NICHOLAS THOMPSON Traditionally, New Orleans has been kind to first-time PGA TOUR winners. He has been knocking on the door for the last two years, so don't be surprised to see him break through this week.
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Ceri Mobley |
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TIM WILKINSON. Heartfelt thanks to Ryan for the bright idea. This New Zealand native came in third last year in New Orleans, and he's confident after a tie for sixth last week in Hilton Head.
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John Swantek |
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WOODY AUSTIN. Stout record on this track (T4, T18, T5) and was in the hunt until the 72nd hole last year. He's a streaky player who looks ready to challenge after a T11 at Harbour Town last week. |
Helen Ross |
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DAVID TOMS. The 2001 champion has been looking forward to this event for awhile. Maybe a return to the TPC Louisiana is just what Toms needs to get les bon temps rolling and a fourth top-10 of the season under his belt. |
Brian Wacker |
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BEN CRANE. He's never made the cut in Louisiana, but no one thought Angel Cabrera was going to win the Masters and that worked out pretty well. Crane does, however, have three top 25s this year, including a third at The Honda Classic and a T11 at Bay Hill. |
Lauren Deason |
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PETER LONARD. The runner-up last year at TPC Louisiana, Lonard needs a solid finish again to jump-start his season. In his best two starts in '09, he barely finished inside the top 50, but there's nothing like returning to a place where you've been successful.
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Mark Spoor |
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DANNY LEE. Before you laugh at me, read T.J. Auclair's column. In February, the 18-year-old became the youngest European Tour winner ever. He also is the youngest U.S. Amateur winner, passing some guy named Tiger Woods.
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Mike McAllister |
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IAN POULTER. Doesn't have much history at TPC Louisiana (a missed cut in 2005), but Poulter has been top 20 in two of his three stroke-play events on TOUR this year. Does he become the second Englishman to win on TOUR in April? |
Win McMurry |
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JOHN MALLINGER. He tied for third at TPC Louisiana in 2007. Mallinger has the game for this track. |
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LAST WEEK: Lauren Deason selected Verizon Heritage winner Brian Gay as a sleeper pick and made a giant leap in the standings. Each week, we'll update the standings based on the FedExCup points accumulated by the players selected by our experts. Here's how it stands after Week 15:
| Standings after Week 15 |
| 1 |
Helen Ross Chief of Correspondents, PGATOUR.COM |
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2 |
1 |
3 |
935.75 |
| 2 |
Lauren Deason Editorial Coordinator, PGATOUR.COM |
1 |
- |
2 |
4 |
918.75 |
| 3 |
Brian Wacker Site Producer, PGATOUR.COM |
1 |
- |
1 |
2 |
892.54 |
| 4 |
Ryan Smithson Site Producer, PGATOUR.COM |
- |
2 |
1 |
3 |
744.25 |
| 5 |
Mark Spoor Coordinating Producer, PGATOUR.COM |
- |
1 |
3 |
3 |
673.4 |
| 6 |
John Swantek Fantasy Insider, PGA TOUR Productions |
- |
1 |
- |
4 |
521.47 |
| 7 |
Mike McAllister Managing Editor, PGATOUR.COM |
- |
2 |
2 |
2 |
481.58 |
| 8 |
T.J. Auclair Interactive Producer, PGATOUR.COM |
- |
1 |
2 |
4 |
526.31 |
| 9 |
Win McMurry Host, PGA TOUR Today |
- |
- |
1 |
4 |
514.72 |
| 10 |
Ceri Mobley Associate Producer, PGATOUR.COM |
- |
- |
1 |
3 |
393.5 |
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