The Honda Classic
Monday Feb 25 – Sunday Mar 2, 2008

Sleeper Picks: The Honda Classic

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Feb. 27, 2008

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T.J. Auclair
PGATOUR.com Interactive Producer
Pick: Scott Hoch
This is a cheap "sleeper pick" but I'm pretty sure he qualifies seeing as he plays the Champions Tour for the most part these days. The reason it's a "cheap" sleeper pick is because Hoch comes to The Honda Classic off the strength of back-to-back wins on the Champions Tour. He's red hot and on a tough course like PGA National, he stands a chance. Hopefully a very good chance for my sake.

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Lauren Deason
PGATOUR.com Editorial Coordinator
Pick: Camilo Villegas
This Florida Gator returns to the site of his near-win in 2007 after he, Jose Coceres and Boo Weekley lost in a playoff to first-time winner Mark Wilson. It would have been the young and talented Villegas' first win as well, though he has been a runner-up three times in his PGA TOUR career. The Colombian had a stellar end to his year in 2007 with three top-10 finishes and has played solid golf at the start of 2008. Will he redeem himself by capturing his first TOUR title at this year's Honda Classic?

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Melanie Hauser
PGATOUR.com Correspondent
Pick: Arron Oberholser
I know. He's still on the comeback trail. And he was run over by Tiger -- along with a few others -- last week. Rules make sleepers few and far between right now, and he's well worth the pick. Once his game kicks back in, he'll be right there. With my current 2008 record, I just hope it's this week.

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Dave Lagarde
PGATOUR.com Correspondent
Pick: Mark Calcavecchia
No one has a better record at this event.

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Win McMurry
Host, PGA TOUR Today
Pick: Mark Calcavecchia
He lives here and has claimed victory once at this event, though it was held at another venue. PGA National is a demanding course where ball striking is at a premium. This is the biggest strength in Calc's game. Look for him to have a breakout performance in his '08 campaign at the Honda Classic.

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John Maginnes
PGATOUR.com Contributor
Pick: Scott Hoch
My sleeper this week is the only man in the field who can already claim two wins in Florida this year. Sure he is getting a little long in the tooth by PGA TOUR standards but Scott Hoch still has an awful lot of game. He is healthy for the first time in several years. He still has enough pop left in his bat to compete with the young guys. Perhaps most importantly he feels like there is still work to be done in his PGA TOUR career before dedicating all of his time to the Champions Tour. Consecutive Champions Tour wins are enough for me to be a believer.

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Scott Pianowski
The Fantasy Insider
Pick: Arron Oberholser
It's never been a question of ability with Oberholser, it's a matter of health. We saw some positive steps forward last week and he's been solid in two stops here (28th, 10th), so let's sneak Oberholser on the sleeper ticket while we still can.

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

This course owes him something after that playoff loss to Mark Wilson last year. Villegas tied for 13th in his 2008 debut at the Buick Invitational, but the rest of California didn't treat him as well. The man from Colombia is essentially Floridian now, though, and so this would be a great place to get back on track.

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Dave Shedloski
PGATOUR.com Senior Correspondent
Pick: Camilo Villegas
Got lost a little bit in the shuffle of stories from a year ago with Mark Wilson's inspirational win and Boo Weekley's three-putt that opened the door. Villegas and Jose Coceres also qualified for the playoff that Wilson won, and the Colombia native could easily put himself there again, given his traditional good play in Florida.

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John Swantek
PGA TOUR Productions Fantasy Insider
Pick: Fredrik Jacobson
I think we'll see a quality performance from the player who nearly captured the 07' Ginn sur Mer Classic in 07' (runner up to Daniel Chopra) indicating that he's very comfortable on Florida courses. Has a tendency to be a little wobbly from tee to green, but dynamite short game will keep him in the hunt.

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