Sleeper Picks: AT&T Classic

text size

Editor's note: PGATOUR.COM has tried to make our experts work a little harder when they make their picks each week. The favorite can be anyone in the field, although Tiger Woods can only be used seven times during the year. Sleepers can't have won in 2008 or had a top-10 in their last five starts. A sleeper can't be ranked in the top 30 in the field, either.

• Expert Picks: Who could win?
• Join our new Facebook fan page and get in the discussion: Give us your picks on Facebook

T.J. Auclair
PGATOUR.COM Interactive Producer
Pick: Ryuji Imada
I feel like I've been picking this guy a lot lately. He's the type of player you'd expect to have a win by now. He nearly got one last year at the AT&T Classic before losing on the first hole of a playoff to Zach Johnson. After a dazzling start to the 2008 season, Imada is looking to get back in the swing of things, having missed the cut in five of his last six starts including last week's PLAYERS Championship. Not to mention, he'll be among the fan favorites seeing as he attended the University of Georgia. There will be plenty of Dawg fans showing their support.

Lauren Deason
PGATOUR.COM Editorial Coordinator
Pick: Nick Flanagan
Based on the recent rash of 20-somethings who've won on the PGA TOUR (see Sergio Garcia, Anthony Kim, Adam Scott, etc.), I decided to go with a youngster for a sleeper this week. Great things were expected from Nick Flanagan, 23, when he won three times on the Nationwide Tour last season and earned an immediate spot on the TOUR. Though the rookie hasn't quite lived up to those expectations yet -- his best finish to date was a tie for ninth at the Mayakoba Golf Classic at Riviera Maya-Cancun -- he's one of the top prospects to be the next young winner.

Melanie Hauser
PGATOUR.COM Correspondent
Pick: Jonathan Byrd
Two top nines here the last two years. Playing well, just needs to put his head down and get it done. He birdied the last three holes to make the cut at THE PLAYERS. Only top 10 this year came in match play.

Dave Lagarde
PGATOUR.COM Correspondent
Pick: Troy Matteson
Due for his second win if he ever gets the putter rolling.

John Maginnes
PGATOUR.COM Contributor
Pick: David Duval
There are a million reasons not to pick David Duval as a dark horse. He hasn't shown any of the old form that took him to the number one spot in the world. The fact of the matter is that his driving percentages are down and scoring average painful. But I have a hunch this week. David has won here before, and for some reason, I think that he breaks back through this week and puts together a solid tournament.

Win McMurry
Host, PGA TOUR Today
Pick: Ryuji Imada
Last year's runner-up (lost in a playoff) has had a strong start to his season again this year. While he is still looking for his first PGA TOUR victory, he is 18th in the FedEX Cup standings already banking over a million this year. Imada also had a good run at the Wachovia Championship two weeks ago, finishing tied for 17th. Plus, it seems those who have played well at this track continue that trend...(note: Zach Johnson, Jose Maria Olazabal, Phil Mickelson, David Duval, Mark Calcavecchia).

Scott Pianowski
PGATOUR.COM Fantasy Insider
Pick: David Toms
He's made 11-of-14 cuts here over the years, and the last eight checks have been Top 30 or better. Toms isn't in the middle of his best season, but he's still got a straight driver and a reliable putter.

Helen Ross
PGATOUR.COM Chief of Correspondents
Pick: David Lutterus
He shot four rounds in the 60s last week at the Fort Smith Classic on the Nationwide Tour and tied for third. It wouldn't be the first time a player rode momentum like that to a win in Atlanta. Remember Paul Stankowski, who won the 1996 Louisiana Open and then came to Atlanta the following week and picked up the PGA TOUR win, as well?

Dave Shedloski
PGATOUR.COM Senior Correspondent
Pick: Bubba Watson
A wild card who just might settle down after a recent spate of poor showings. The dominant bermudagrass on the TPC Sugarloaf could be welcome sight for the long-hitting Florida native who seems to play his best on -- no surprise -- longer layouts with a Florida flair.

John Swantek
PGA TOUR Productions Fantasy Insider
Pick: Ryuji Imada
I'm looking past the MC at The PLAYERS, where the best in the world were blown to bits, and instead zeroing in on the top 5's at Torrey Pines, Riviera and Innnisbrook. Steady progression at Sugarloaf for the former Georgia Bulldog; T15 in '05, T10 in '06, runner-up last year. Next stop; trophy ceremony.