Print this page  |  Close Window

• Who could surprise? • Tournament Coverage • Play TOUR Fantasy Games
Which player could win at this weekend's AT&T National? Our experts weigh in:

T.J. Auclair
PGATOUR.com Interactive Producer
Pick: Tiger Woods
It was recently revealed that Tiger's wife, Elin, was admitted to the hospital on the first day of the U.S. Open and stayed there through Monday before giving birth to Sam Alexis. The doctors insisted everything would be OK and there was nothing Tiger could do so, go win the U.S. Open. As it turns out, Tiger came up just short at Oakmont, finishing in a tie for second. If he can do that on arguably the world's most difficult course under unbelievable circumstances, you've got to think he'll be just fine on another U.S. Open course this week -- Congressional -- in a tournament he's hosting. Now that he can exhale, look for Tiger to take home his first title as a daddy.

Brett Avery
The Fantasy Insider
Pick: Tiger Woods
Anyone who has become a parent for the first time knows the drill: the intensity of the birth, the elation of the homecoming, the is-everything-OK anxiety of every burp and gurgle, the photo session to feed the maw of the international press. Perhaps this guy hasn't had the prototypical parent experience, but after everything that's happened following his U.S. Open runner-up finish, this much is the same: It'll be nice to get out of the house for a few days and get back to work, even if he has a bunch of details to haggle over as tournament host.

Lauren Deason
PGATOUR.com Editorial Coordinator
Pick: Tiger Woods
When asked recently whether Tiger Woods would make a good host at the AT&T National this week, John Cook (a friend of Tiger's and fellow PGA TOUR pro) replied, rather curiously, with a no. After a requisite follow-up query of "why not," Cook clarified his response by noting that a good host would graciously let someone else win his event. Tiger, on the other hand, has no such qualms about pleasing his invitees by letting them win. He will try his hardest to win and make up for that disappointing second-place finish at the U.S. Open and, as history shows, when Tiger wants something he usually gets it.

Melanie Hauser
PGATOUR.com Correspondent
Pick: Tiger Woods
Like you're surprised? Sam Alexis's dad is in a great place right now. Which isn't a good thing for the rest of the field. He was this close at Oakmont with Elin on his mind and if he can focus with that going on, the role of congenial host is nothing. Congressional? He tied for 19th there in that U.S. Open a decade ago where he realized what being the best in the world meant. If he can putt these greens, he can wrap a bow around the trophy.

Dave Lagarde
PGATOUR.com Correspondent
Pick: Jim Furyk
I hate to make the same choice in two successive weeks, especially since Furyk couldn't find the birdies he needed down the stretch at the Buick Open, but ... This is Congressional, a course that previously played host to the U.S. Open and the course is in U.S. Open mode, so why not the consummate U.S. Open grinder.

John Maginnes
PGATOUR.com Contributor
Pick: Davis Love III
I like the old guys this week. Davis Love III has a wonderful history at Congressional. He nearly won the Booz Allen Classic here in 2005. His year hasn't gone as well as Davis would have liked but he is comfortable here. Sure, he hasn't broken 75 in since May but he has only played twice. He has been working hard on his game. For a champion like Davis all he needs a little confidence. Confidence can be gleaned from good memories. Look for Davis to break out of his funk this week.

Helen Ross
PGATOUR.com Chief of Correspondents
Pick: Phil Mickelson
I thought about picking Tiger Woods. I really did. Between the birth of his baby and hosting this event, though, I think he's been a little busy. Not that he can't focus, of course -- he proved that at Oakmont, but I just don't see him winning this week. I do see Phil Mickelson making some noise, though. He says his wrist is close to 100 percent and he shot 2 under in the pro-am on this U.S. Open-style layout. He's been itching to get back out there for too long.

Dave Shedloski
PGATOUR.com Senior Correspondent
Pick: Tiger Woods
It took Jack Nicklaus two years to win his own tournament, the Memorial, and we know how Tiger likes to eclipse Jack's records -- and anyone else's, for that matter. There are big handicaps to overcome for the No. 1 player in the world with a baby just weeks old and lots of distractions lording over a tournament (but he seems to have always handled myriad distractions well in the past). We think Woods will rise to the occasion, because, usually, he does.

Wondering how our PGATOUR.com experts are doing? Check out the latest standings:

The Champions Tour is back in action this weekend at the U.S. Senior Open at Whistling Straits. PGATOUR.com Champions Tour expert Lauren Deason gives us her pick:
Loren Roberts tied for 17th at the 2004 PGA Championship when it was held at Whistling Straits and has fared well in the past at U.S. Open set-ups, making the cut in 10 of 13 on the PGA TOUR and tying for second in 2005 and eighth in 2006 in his only previous U.S. Senior Open starts. Look for Roberts to add his second win to his 2007 record and turn it into an actual competition for the Charles Schwab Cup instead of a one-man dominated race by four-time 2007 winner Jay Haas.

The Nationwide Tour is at StoneWater Golf Club in Highland Heights, Ohio this weekend for the Legend Financial Group Classic Presented by Cynergies Solutions. PGATOUR.com Nationwide Tour expert Dave Lagarde gives us his pick:
Jason Day simply has too much talent to muddle through his first Nationwide Tour season without a victory. StoneWater Golf Club outside Cleveland should provide a good test, and Day's game will hold up there.