Mar. 11, 2009
The top players in the world will gather at Doral this week for the World Golf Championships-CA Championship. Here's how the PGATOUR.COM experts sized up the top contenders:
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EXPERT PICKS
How it works: Our 10 experts from PGATOUR.COM select the player they think will win this week's event. By using a draft process, no two picks can be the same.
SLEEPER PICKS
Of the players who didn't make the cut for our top 10 picks, which have the best chance as sleepers? Here's how our experts see it. Click here |
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| Expert picks: World Golf Championships-CA Championship |
Lauren
Deason |
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TIGER WOODS. I doubt anyone else has ever agonized over picking Tiger, but I debated for hours between Doral dominator Tiger and a red-hot Geoff Ogilvy. Then I shared my dilemma with a friend, who put it best: Never bet against Tiger.
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Mike
McAllister |
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GEOFF OGILVY. In the first 10 years of the World Golf Championships, only Tiger has won the first two events in a single year. If Ogilvy successfully defends his title this week, he'll go into Firestone seeking the first WGC Slam. |
| If McAllister had the top pick ... Woods |
Ceri
Mobley |
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SERGIO GARCIA. The fiery Spaniard had a solid finish at The Honda Classic, so he should be warmed up for CA, where he's enjoyed a tie for 15th and a tie for third in the last two years. Plus, I'd like to see that Sunday black outfit again. |
| If Mobley had the top pick ... Woods |
Win
McMurry |
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STEVE STRICKER. He tied for sixth last year and was four shots behind Ogilvy.Stricker has looked strong this year and, while he hasn't been able to close, he's been knocking with a tie for third and arunner-up finish in five events. |
| If McMurry had the top pick ... Woods |
John
Swantek |
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RETIEF GOOSEN. Before the final round was cut short at Pebble Beach, the Goose (3rd) was poised to end his four-year dry spell. He tied for second at Doral last year and looks as sharp as he has since winning the two U.S. Opens. |
| If Swantek had the top pick ... Woods |
Mark
Spoor |
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PHIL MICKELSON. I am amazed that Lefty lasted this long. Sure, he's had his struggles this year, but Tiger Woods didn't exactly light it on fire in his '09 debut. Plus, like Tiger, the last time Phil played in a stroke-play event, he won. |
| If Spoor had the top pick ... Woods |
Helen
Ross |
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CAMILO VILLEGAS. Remember 2006? He's in his element in Miami and at Doral -- and he's a much better player than he was when he tied for second that year, one stroke behind Tiger Woods. |
| If Ross had the top pick ... Ogilvy |
Ryan
Smithson |
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JIM FURYK. At this point, I merely want someone who isn't going to finish 60th. Short of having Mike McAllister pick for me, not sure what else to do. |
| If Smithson had the top pick ... Woods |
T.J.
Auclair |
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RORY McILROY. I can't believe this guy is still available. Two starts in the U.S. led to a tie for fifth and a tie for 13th. This teen is making a quick believer out of me. |
| If Auclair had the top pick ... Woods |
Brian
Wacker |
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KENNY PERRY. One of the longest and most accurate drivers of the ball on TOUR, Perry's length will be an asset at Doral. If he putts well, expect to see him in contention, the way he was in 2003 when he finished T5. |
| If Wacker had the top pick ... Woods |
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LAST WEEK: Lauren Deason, Mike McAllister and Ceri Mobley all had players finish in the top 15 last week and accumulated the most FedExCup points. 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 9:
| Standings after Week 9 |
| 1 |
Mike McAllister
Managing Editor, PGATOUR.COM |
2 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
1,438.28 |
| 2 |
Brian Wacker
Site Producer, PGATOUR.COM |
1 |
1 |
3 |
- |
928.17 |
| 3 |
T.J. Auclair
Interactive Producer, PGATOUR.COM |
1 |
1 |
- |
2 |
874 |
| 4 |
Win McMurry
Host, PGA TOUR Today |
- |
3 |
1 |
3 |
766.42 |
| 5 |
Lauren Deason
Editorial Coordinator, PGATOUR.COM |
- |
1 |
- |
2 |
532.97 |
| 6 |
John Swantek
Fantasy Insider, PGA TOUR Productions |
- |
1 |
- |
5 |
479.85 |
| 7 |
Ceri Mobley
Associate Producer, PGATOUR.COM |
- |
1 |
1 |
5 |
459.03 |
| 8 |
Mark Spoor
Coordinating Producer, PGATOUR.COM |
- |
1 |
1 |
1 |
341.66 |
| 9 |
Helen Ross
Chief of Correspondents, PGATOUR.COM |
- |
- |
- |
4 |
274.85 |
| 10 |
Ryan Smithson
Site Producer, PGATOUR.COM |
- |
- |
2 |
- |
175.12 |
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