Expert Picks: Farmers Insurance Open

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Jan. 25, 2011

The PGA TOUR travels to La Jolla, Calif. for the Farmers Insurance Open. Here's how the PGATOUR.COM experts sized up the top contenders:

EXPERT PICKS
How it works: Our experts from PGATOUR.COM select the player they think will win this week's event. By using a draft process, no two picks can be the same. The player who wins the previous week picks last the following week.
SLEEPER PICKS
Of the players who didn't make the cut for our top picks, which have the best chance as sleepers? To see who our experts picked, click here.

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Expert picks: Farmers Insurance Open

Expert	Pick order	Player selected
John Swantek			TIGER WOODS. This week -- filled with uncertainty -- he will deliver a resounding message on the direction of his game. With seven victories at Torrey Pines, I know which way I'm leaning as Tiger makes his 2011 season debut.

Mike McAllister			PHIL MICKELSON. Thought about passing on Phil at this spot, especially since he finished 19 strokes off the pace at Abu Dhabi and could be weary from the long travel. But this is a home game and he's won three times at Torrey Pines.
If McAllister had the top pick ... Woods
Ryan Smithson			DUSTIN JOHNSON. I had a tough pick spot this week. I feel stupid (even more than normal) for not taking Haas or Watney, and I am a little worried the rough might be worse than last year. I just don't have the guts to go with Haas or Watney over Johnson.
If Smithson had the top pick ... Woods
John Schwarb			BEN CRANE. I'm reeling in the standings after missing cuts the last two weeks, though not enough to get a top-3 pick this week. I say the next-best choice is the defending champion at Farmers. Ben, hope to see you late Sunday afternoon.
If Schwarb had the top pick ... Woods
Anne Szeker			RICKIE FOWLER. Seems like my best option at this point in the Expert Picks. He's coming off an impressive Rookie of the Year season, and he had a solid showing in his first try at Torrey Pines last year, finishing fifth.
If Szeker had the top pick ... Woods
Lauren Deason			BILL HAAS. Tough to argue with a big hitter who is at the top of his game right now. Tied for 11th here in 2009 and tied for 20th in 2007, when he opened with rounds of 69-66. Has yet to score higher than 70 in any round this year.
If Deason had the top pick ... Woods
Helen Ross			BRANDT SNEDEKER. Yes, I know he missed the cut in his first start of the season. But he's got a solid record at Torrey Pines -- finishing solo third in his debut in 2007 and sharing second last year -- which should get him back on track.
If Ross had the top pick ... Woods
Chris Dunham			NICK WATNEY. The '09 champ clearly has an eye for Torrey, with three top-10s and a missed cut. Watney was one of just three players to break 70 in both weekend rounds a year ago. The newlywed should be back to build on his 2010 successes.
If Dunham had the top pick ... Woods
Brian Wacker			HUNTER MAHAN. He's straight off the tee and when he gets the putter going this week at Torrey Pines, he can be tough to beat. Plus, I expect him to bounce back from the disappointment of the Ryder Cup pretty quickly.
If Wacker had the top pick ... Woods

Standings after Week 3

LAST WEEK: Brian Wacker lost a shot at the win (and the season lead) when his pick, Bill Haas, three-putted the 72nd hole at the Bob Hope Classic:
Position	Name	Wins	Top-5s	Top-10s	Top-25s	FedExCup points
1	Lauren Deason Editorial Coordinator, PGATOUR.COM	0	2	2	2	439.50
2	Brian Wacker Site Producer, PGATOUR.COM	0	1	1	3	349.28
3	Anne Szeker Site Producer, PGATOUR.COM	0	1	2	2	180.00
4	Chris Dunham Editorial Coordinator, PGATOUR.COM	0	0	2	2	177.50
5	Ryan Smithson Site Producer, PGATOUR.COM	0	1	1	1	123.57
6	John Swantek Host, On The Tee	0	0	1	2	117.50
7	Helen Ross Chief of Correspondents, PGATOUR.COM	0	0	1	1	95.50
8	Mike McAllister Managing Editor, PGATOUR.COM	0	0	0	1	79.00
9	John Schwarb Site Producer, PGATOUR.COM	0	0	0	1	53.50