Expert Picks: Buick Open

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.

• Who could surprise? Sleeper picks
• 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: Jim Furyk
Even with four top-five finishes in 2008, this has been a rather ho-hum season for the guy who was once No. 2 in the world. But this week he returns to Warwick Hills where he's always a threat to win. Furyk won the Buick Open in 2003. He has combined for eight top-10 finishes in 13 starts at this event, including four top-six finishes since that win and has never missed the cut. Don't be surprised to see Furyk get his first win of the season this week.

Lauren Deason
PGATOUR.com Editorial Coordinator
Pick: Jim Furyk
We have a limit on how many times we can pick Tiger Woods (seven) but I think I've picked Jim Furyk more times than that. Why? He's due for a win -- he hasn't gotten one since last summer -- and has notched four top-10s in 2008. But, while Furyk has raked in a heap of FedExCup points this season (6,422), he hasn't quite lived up to his potential. This week, however, not picking Furyk would be a huge mistake. He's NEVER missed a cut at the Buick Open, has finished inside the top 10 there for seven consecutive years and has two wins at Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club. Furyk is the highest-ranked player in the field and has only shot one -- read that again, one -- round over par in his 52 rounds at the Buick Open. Does anyone else stand a chance?

Melanie Hauser
PGATOUR.com Correspondent
Pick: Justin Leonard
Jim Furyk may seem like a slam dunk, but maybe not. He's struggled lately. Leonard has a win and some strong finishes this year. Plus, bad stuff's behind him and he's working his way back to the Ryder Cup, where, well... you know.

Dave Lagarde
PGATOUR.com Correspondent
Pick: Kenny Perry
He is sizzling hot and has a solid track record here. Only Furyk likes the place more, but he's off his game so Perry is the pick.

John Maginnes
PGATOUR.com Contributor
Pick: Jim Furyk
The last time that Jim Furyk failed to crack the top 10 at the Buick Open was back in 2000 when he had what must have been a terribly disappointing week and finished 16th. Since then, he has a couple of second-place finishes and a win back in 2003. Warwick Hills is a traditional golf course with narrow fairways and well-bunkered greens. The ability to comfortably move short irons in both directions is a staple of this golf course. It is also the cornerstone of Furyk's game.

Win McMurry
Host, PGA TOUR Today
Pick: Jim Furyk
In 13 starts he has 8 top-10s at the Buick Open. This year, Furyk's best finish is second at the WGC-CA Championship. He sits 33rd in the FedExCup standings and is looking to improve the number, finishing third after the last year's Playoffs. Furyk won the Buick Open in 2003 and since then has finished inside the top six every year in Michigan.

Scott Pianowski
PGATOUR.com Fantasy Insider
Pick: Jim Furyk
Pick up his Buick Open history from 2001 and just ride on in: second, 10th, first, sixth, sixth, second, fifth. Steady Eddy wins the race.

Helen Ross
PGATOUR.com Chief of Correspondents
Pick: Jim Furyk
To me, there were two solid choices -- Jim Furyk or Rocco Mediate, both former Buick Open champions. Mediate might have the momentum after that playoff loss to Tiger Woods at the U.S. Open but I'm going with the steady Furyk, who also has two seconds at Warwick Hills and hasn't finished outside the top 10 in the last seven years.

Dave Shedloski
PGATOUR.com Senior Correspondent
Pick: Brandt Snedeker
We haven't overlooked the fact that he played a strong 36 on the weekend at the U.S. Open, giving him top-10s in two majors. Ninth on the Ryder Cup points list, he has plenty of motivation to keep grinding.

John Swantek
PGATOUR.com Productions Fantasy Insider
Pick: Jim Furyk
This is so easy it feels like lift, clean and place is in effect. I'm not jazzed about his current form (a tie for 27th is his best finish in his last four starts) but seven straight top-10 finishes at Warwick Hills is too good to ignore. Furyk wins and I begin my long ascent to the top of the standings. First stop: ninth.