Expert Picks: Waste Management Phoenix Open

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Feb. 24, 2010

The Waste Management Phoenix Open takes place at TPC Scottsdale this week. Here's how the PGATOUR.COM experts sized up the top contenders:

EXPERT PICKS
How it works: Our 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. The player who wins the previous week picks last the following week.
SLEEPER PICKS
Of the players who didn't make the cut for our top picks, which have the best chance as sleepers? Here's how our experts see it. Click here
MORE WM PHOENIX OPEN: Power Rankings | Inside the Field | Inside the course

Expert picks: Waste Management Phoenix Open

Expert	Pick order	Player selected
John Swantek			J.B. HOLMES. I was surprised at how well he played on tight tracks at Riviera and Pebble Beach. He will absolutely overpower TPC Scottsdale for his third win at the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

Helen Ross			PHIL MICKELSON. The two-time champ in Phoenix and Arizona State alum will be relaxed after a family vacation. This could be where he makes the move to the banner 2010 season we all expect of him.
If Ross the top pick ... Mickelson
Lauren Deason			GEOFF OGILVY. His wife gave birth to their third child a little over a week ago, so his mind may be understandably elsewhere. But the Scottsdale resident knows desert golf and already has a win this season. Even if he is on diaper duty, he should do well.
If Deason had the top pick ... Mickelson
Mike McAllister			ZACH JOHNSON. Johnson has two top-20 finishes in his first two stroke-play starts this year, and he finished tied for 12th here last year. After a short stay in Tucson, he'll bounce back.
If McAllister had the top pick ... Mickelson
Ryan Smithson			BRIAN GAY. Outstanding showing in his first Match Play appearance last week. Loves TPC Scottsdale (Tie for sixth in 2009). Makes a ton of birdies despite hitting it shorter than Paul Goydos, who hits it shorter than everyone else.
If Smithson had the top pick ... Mickelson
Nick Zaccardi			ROBERT ALLENBY. Allenby has yet to disappoint in stroke play this year (2, T9, T27), so I'll let his second-round loss last week slide. I really considered Ian Poulter but am afraid of the burnout from Match Play. He's also never played here before.
If Zaccardi had the top pick ... Mickelson
Brian Wacker			KENNY PERRY. The defending champion has finished in the top 20 in Phoenix four times since 2005. He's also well-rested after getting bounced in the opening round last week. His only other TOUR start this year was a tie for sixth at Kapalua.
If Wacker had the top pick ... Perry

Standings after Week 7

LAST WEEK: Brian Wacker extended his lead when Briny Baird tied for fourth at the Mayakoba Golf Classic last week:
Position	Name	Wins	Top-5s	Top-10s	Top-25s	FedExCup points
1	Brian Wacker Site Producer, PGATOUR.COM	1	4	3	3	947.43
2	Nick Zaccardi Associate Site Producer. PGATOUR.COM	1	2	4	5	861.33
3	Lauren Deason Editorial Coordinator, PGATOUR.COM	1	1	1	5	731.5
4	Ryan Smithson Site Producer, PGATOUR.COM	-	1	2	4	363.5
5	Helen Ross Chief of Correspondents, PGATOUR.COM	-	-	1	3	251.5
6	John Swantek Host, PGA TOUR Today	-	-	1	4	248.83
7	Mike McAllister Managing Editor, PGATOUR.COM	-	-	1	4	224.83