Sleeper Picks: FedEx St. Jude Classic

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Jun. 9, 2011

The PGA TOUR travels to TPC Southwind this week for the FedEx St. Jude Classic. Here's how the PGATOUR.COM experts sized up the top contenders:

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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. To see who our experts picked, click here
SLEEPER PICKS
Of the players who didn't make the cut for our top picks, which have the best chance as sleepers?

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Sleeper Picks: FedEx St. Jude Classic

Expert	Pick order	Player selected
John Schwarb			SHAUN MICHEEL. The Memphis resident and TPC Southwind regular had his best week of the season at the Memorial, finishing T22 (slowed by a Sunday 75.) Good way to come into his home event, where was T4 last year.
Mike McAllister			JUSTIN HICKS. The rookie has quietly posted three top-10s this year, including a T14 in his last start two weeks ago at the HP Byron Nelson Championship. He ranks 15th in driving accuracy on the PGA TOUR.
John Swantek			BOB ESTES. Owns a career scoring average of 69.22 over 22 starts at TPC Southwind. The Texan's 12 top-25 finishes include the title at TPC Southwind in 2001 and a tie for eighth last year. Accuracy off the tee helps him here.
Amanda Balionis			RYUJI IMADA. Was cruising at the Memorial just he shot 77 on Saturday. Still on a high after his solid tie for third at the HP Byron Nelson Championship. Tied for 29th here last year after opening with rounds of 67-68 at TPC Southwind.
Anne Szeker			GARRETT WILLIS. His best finish last season came at this stop. He shot 66-65-73-67 to finish in a tie for fourth. This season hasn't been that stellar, but he does have two top-15s. So hopefully, good memories send him up the leaderboard.
Lauren Deason			SAM SAUNDERS. Saunders qualified for the U.S. Open on Monday -- what better way to start the week? Arnie's grandson has a T15 and a T30 this year but has also missed four of six cuts. Still hits the ball a long way, which doesn't hurt.
Chris Dunham			KEVIN STADLER. The force has been strong within this young walrus, who finished seventh in the Crowne Plaza Invitational then took advantage of his last-minute addition to the Memorial field by posting a T22 finish. Tied for 12th here in 2009.
Brian Wacker			BILLY MAYFAIR. He closed strong in Memphis last year to finish seventh and has had a couple of good performance this season with a tie for eighth in New Orleans and a 13th place finish in San Diego.
Helen Ross			JOHN ROLLINS. He's coming off a tie for sixth in Dallas, which was his first top-10 of the year. He's extremely solid tee to green -- ranking first in total driving and 25th in greens in regulation. If the putter cooperates, Rollins could have a big week.
Ryan Smithson			SCOTT STALLINGS. He's got to be fired up for his first event in his adopted home state. Had a big week at Muirfield Village, trying for 20th. Has already shown that he can score on the tough courses. He'll get one to play this week.

Standings after 19 events

LAST WEEK: Brian Wacker cut into Ryan Smithson's points lead when his sleeper, Kevin Streelman, tied for seventh at Muirfield Village:
Position	Name	Wins	Top-5s	Top-10s	Top-25s	FedExCup points
1	Ryan Smithson Site Producer, PGATOUR.COM	0	4	5	8	978.81
2	Mike McAllister Managing Editor, PGATOUR.COM	0	2	2	6	717.40
3	Brian Wacker Site Producer, PGATOUR.COM	0	1	5	8	728.39
4	Anne Szeker Site Producer, PGATOUR.COM	0	1	3	4	635.50
5*	Amanda Balionis Host, PGA TOUR Today	0	1	2	5	560.90
6	John Schwarb Site Producer, PGATOUR.COM	0	2	2	5	539.40
7	Lauren Deason Editorial Coordinator, PGATOUR.COM	0	1	1	3	426.28
8	Helen Ross Chief of Correspondents, PGATOUR.COM	0	0	1	5	407.00
9	John Swantek Host, On The Tee	0	0	1	3	316.94
10	Chris Dunham Editorial Coordinator, PGATOUR.COM	0	2	2	3	305.84