FBR Open
Monday Jan 26 – Sunday Feb 1, 2009

Sleeper Picks: FBR Open

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Jan. 29, 2008

• Expert Picks: Who may win? | Get in the discussion: Give us your picks

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T.J. Auclair
PGATOUR.com Interactive Producer
Pick: Chris DiMarco
I don't know about you, but it's shocking to me that DiMarco has just three wins on the PGA TOUR. He struggled last season as he fought through an injury, but he's much healthier now. You've got to love the enthusiasm DiMarco brings, especially when he's in the hunt. Take his enthusiasm and add the chaos that is the gallery at the FBR Open and special things can happen, as was the case when DiMarco won in 2002. Don't be surprised to see DiMarco end his six-year winless drought this Super Bowl Sunday.

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Lauren Deason
PGATOUR.com Editorial Coordinator
Pick: Kevin Stadler
Picking a sleeper pick is always more fun when Tiger's not in the field. After all, when the cat's away, the mice have a chance to play for the title. This week, Stadler is to the FBR Open what the New York Giants are to the Super Bowl. Maybe you don't expect him to walk away with the title, but he's got a chance. The Scottsdale, Ariz., resident has never played the FBR Open before but picked up momentum in the second half of 2007 and has continued to perform well in 2008. Living nearby likely means the crowd will get behind him, which can never hurt at one of the most attended and energetic events on TOUR.

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Melanie Hauser
PGATOUR.com Correspondent
Pick: David Toms
Toms bows into 2008 here and you have to wonder if he'll bring a little LSU Tiger national championship mojo with him. Another instance of a player with game whose best finishes here have come when he's playing well. He has a new caddie in Brent Everson so we'll see what happens.

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Dave Lagarde
PGATOUR.com Correspondent
Pick: Steve Flesch
Three top-10s on this track in this decade and his good form late in 2007 make this lefty a player to watch this week.

John Maginnes
PGATOUR.com Contributor
Pick: Brett Quigley

Brett Quigley is making his return this week and should be on form. He finished last season outside the top 125 but has a few weeks to make up the difference on his medical. Brett is a veteran who wasn't about to come back until he was ready. I expect Brett to hit the ground running this week.

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Win McMurry
Host, PGA TOUR Today
Pick: Jeff Quinney
He's a local, went to school at ASU and almost found himself in the winner's circle last year at the FBR Open until his hopes were drowned in the water at No. 17 on Sunday.

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Scott Pianowski
The Fantasy Insider
Pick: Bubba Watson
His game wasn't in gear at the opening of the season, but he's had three events to work the kinks out. The birdies need to be flowing if you're going to contend in the desert, and that's Watson's game in a nutshell - the heck with the risk, let's bag some reward. He posted four sub-70 rounds at the FBR Open last year en route to an eighth-place finish, a nifty debut over the grounds.

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Helen Ross
PGATOUR.com Chief of Correspondents
Pick: Camilo Villegas

Camilo Villegas has been relatively quiet of late, but it's only a matter of time before the talented young man from Colombia breaks out. He tied for 13th at the Buick Invitational last week in his season debut, so it looks like Villegas is ready to pick up where he left off in 2007. Not to mention, he tied for second at the FBR Open in 2006.

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Dave Shedloski
PGATOUR.com Senior Correspondent
Pick: David Toms
Making his PGA TOUR season debut, the perennial Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup player has slipped to 45th in the world rankings with his last top-10 finish in June. Who knows if he'll knock off the rust in time to contend, but players of his ilk often benefit from extended breaks. Amazing he hasn't done better at TPC Scottsdale in the past (just three top-10s in 12 starts, none in the top 3), but that could change by Sunday.

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John Swantek
PGA TOUR Productions Fantasy Insider
Pick: Jeff Quinney
Everything seems to fit here; a former Arizona State All-American who lives in Scottsdale and nearly won this thing last year (finishing third). Plus, the early season has been a jackpot with 80 percent of his career top-10s coming in January and February. With injuries behind him, just too much talent there not to cash in.

Expert Standings
Following the Buick Invitational
PGATOUR.com Experts 1st 2nd 3rd Top-10s Missed Cuts FedExCup Points
Dave Shedloski 1 - 1 4 - 8606
Scott Pianowski 1 - 1 3 - 8261
Melanie Hauser 1 - - 3 - 7558
John Maginnes 1 - 1 2 1 7157
T.J. Auclair 1 - - 2 1 6727
Lauren Deason 1 - - 2 2 6185
Helen Ross 1 - - 2 1 6038
Win McMurry 1 - 1 2 1 6033
Dave Lagarde - - - 2 1 2860
John Swantek - - 1 1 1 1665
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