Verizon Heritage
Monday Apr 13 – Sunday Apr 19, 2009

Sleeper Picks: Verizon Heritage

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Apr. 16, 2008

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T.J. Auclair
PGATOUR.com Interactive Producer
Pick: Davis Love III
It's always weird to refer to DL3 as a sleeper. But, the category fits. You know he's itching to play after missing his first Masters since 1991. Plus, Love is the king of Hilton Head, where he's donned the winner's Tartan jacket a record five times. This week he could make it six. Hey, it's not a Green Jacket, but a win would give Love the invitation he needs from Augusta National to have a shot at the Green Jacket in 2009.

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Lauren Deason
PGATOUR.com Editorial Coordinator
Pick: Davis Love III
Maybe a trip to the Verizon Heritage is just what Davis Love III needs to turn his year around. After all, it's criminal to even be able to pick him as a sleeper at this track. He fits our sleeper criteria, but let's face it -- he has won here five times and top-10ed in five others so he's the Tiger Woods of Hilton Head Island, S.C. Love has ties to nearby Sea Island, Ga., and should feel right at home this week. It's too late to make the Masters and his consecutive majors streak has now ended but it's not too late to make the other big tournaments this season and start a new record.

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Melanie Hauser
PGATOUR.com Correspondent
Pick: Davis Love III
Another good pick would have been Justin Leonard, but those infernal rules... So.... what better place for DL3 take that next step? He's so close to playing really well, it's scary. Maybe the rest of that rust got knocked off while he was turkey hunting.

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Win McMurry
Host, PGA TOUR Today
Pick: Woody Austin
Coming back to the site of his famous putter-to-the-head incident, Woody will have fond memories of Harbour Town. Not because of the brain damage he might have caused himself, but Harbour Town is one of his favorite tracks on the PGA TOUR. This tight, tree-lined course plays right into Woody's exceptional tee-to-green game. Putting won't be the No. 1 factor this week, and I like Woody to hit fairways and greens and possibly find himself donning the famous Tartan jacket awarded to the champion.

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John Maginnes
PGATOUR.com Contributor
Pick: Davis Love III

Davis Love III might have a little chip on his shoulder this week. Having missed the Masters last week for the first time in 18 years, he is coming home to a tournament that he has dominated. He earned his first career victory here in 1987 and has gone on to win at Harbour Town four more times. He loves narrow Burmuda grass, seaside courses and is ready to play. He has been working hard with his sights set on regaining his winning ways. What better place to start?

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Scott Pianowski
The Fantasy Insider
Pick: Fred Funk
He's made 15 straight cuts here, and the short-but-tight track certainly plays into his hands. We want the Funk -- gotta have that Funk.

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Dave Shedloski
PGATOUR.com Senior Correspondent
Pick: Davis Love III
Well, there are obvious picks and then there's this obvious selection. If a guy can win one event five times, he certainly could win a sixth. Flimsy logic, but he's still too good to not put together a good tournament soon, and this is a great spot for him. Plus, last time he missed the Masters, he won at Harbour Town.

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Helen Ross
PGATOUR.com Chief of Correspondents
PIck: Davis Love III
Another player who plays well at Hilton Head, Davis Love III is still on the comeback trail after ankle surgery last year. Harbour Town should bring back good memories for him -- Love has won there five times and tied for second in 2005.

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John Swantek
PGA TOUR Productions Fantasy Insider
Pick: Davis Love III
Don't know which is motivating Davis more; his World Golf Ranking of 101st or having to watch the Masters on TV last week after 70 straight major championship appearances. With his surgically repaired ankle getting stronger each week, he returns to Camelot as the 5-time King of Harbour Town and recaptures the magic again.

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