Expert Picks: Bob Hope Classic

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Jan. 19, 2011

The PGA TOUR travels to La Quinta, Calif. for the Bob Hope Classic. 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? To see who our experts picked, click here.

MORE BOB HOPE CLASSIC: Power Rankings | Inside the Field | Inside the Courses | FANTASY GOLF: Play our game -- FREE!

Expert picks: Bob Hope Classic

Expert	Pick order	Player selected
Chris Dunham			MATT KUCHAR. I'm fortunate enough to be able to pick Kuchar for the second time in three weeks. He's already two-for-two in top 10s this season and is returning to an event where he tied for second a year ago. Will be tough to beat.

John Schwarb			BUBBA WATSON. After missing the cut last week with Jim Furyk, I'm hoping to get back on track with Bubba, who tied for second last year and fired a 62 in the second round at Silver Rock. Seems like the kind of guy who would love the celebrity format.
If Schwarb had the top pick ... Kuchar
Helen Ross			CHAD CAMPBELL. This former Bob Hope Classic champ got ready for the marathon in the desert with four solid rounds in the 60s last week and a tie for 13th at the Sony Open in Hawaii. Can a three-year victory drought end here.
If Ross had the top pick ... Kuchar
Ryan Smithson			CHARLEY HOFFMAN. Loves this tournament so much he's vowed not to cut his hair until he wins it again. I made that up, but even if true, he might not have to wait long for a haircut. Defintely needs to be on your fantasy team at this five-round birdiefest.
If Smithson had the top pick ... Watson
Mike McAllister			RORY SABBATINI. Nice showing in Hawaii with four rounds in the 60s at Sony. Hasn't played the Bob Hope since 2006 but tied for 10th that year. That was also the last time he won a TOUR event outside the state of Texas. I think he's due for another.
If McAllister had the top pick ... Kuchar
Brian Wacker			BILL HAAS. He's the defending champion and is coming off a good showing at Kapalua, where he finished eighth. Plus, Haas has a history of some good performances in this event with two other top-20 finishes.
If Wacker had the top pick ... Kuchar
John Swantek			RYAN MOORE. First start of season after closing 2010 with a trio of top-10 finishes, and appears ready to become a consistent winner every year. Also has posted two top 10 finishes at the Bob Hope Classic, including last year.
If Swantek had the top pick ... Kuchar
Anne Szeker			BO VAN PELT. I'm not going to let his missed cut last week at the Sony sway me -- he almost always MCs there. He had a career year in 2010 -- the only thing missing was a win, and I think he gets it this year, hopefully this week.
If Szeker had the top pick ... Kuchar
Lauren Deason			STEVE MARINO. Certainly has the hot hand this week after his impressive run down the stretch at the Sony Open. This place to kind to first-time winners, and Marino is among the best on TOUR without a win. Very happy to have him this late in the draft.
If Deason had the top pick ... Kuchar

Standings after Week 2

LAST WEEK: Lauren Deason's pick of Tim Clark nearly won her the tournament for the second week in a row as she opens up a big FedExCup lead:
Position	Name	Wins	Top-5s	Top-10s	Top-25s	FedExCup points
1	Lauren Deason Editorial Coordinator, PGATOUR.COM	0	2	2	2	435.00
2	Anne Szeker Site Producer, PGATOUR.COM	0	1	2	2	180.00
3	Ryan Smithson Site Producer, PGATOUR.COM	0	1	1	1	123.57
4	John Swantek Host, On The Tee	0	0	1	2	117.50
5	Brian Wacker Site Producer, PGATOUR.COM	0	0	0	2	104.28
6	Chris Dunham Editorial Coordinator, PGATOUR.COM	0	0	1	1	95.00
7	Mike McAllister Managing Editor, PGATOUR.COM	0	0	0	1	79.00
8	Helen Ross Chief of Correspondents, PGATOUR.COM	0	0	1	1	75.00
9	John Schwarb Site Producer, PGATOUR.COM	0	0	0	1	53.50