Sleeper Picks: Bob Hope Classic

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Jan. 19, 2010

The Bob Hope Classic, the first event in the continental U.S. after the TOUR spent two weeks in Hawaii, takes place this week. 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.Click here
SLEEPER PICKS
Of the players who didn't make the cut for our top picks, which have the best chance as sleepers? Here's how our experts see it.
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Sleeper picks: Bob Hope Classic

Expert	Pick order	Player selected
Nick Zaccardi			JUSTIN ROSE. I like how he finished 2009 (T15, T4), how he started 2010 (T12) and his recent history at the Bob Hope (T10, solo third).
John Swantek			CHARLEY HOFFMAN. He ranked fifth on TOUR in total birdies last year (372), the desert fox always comes strong at the Hope, where he won in 2007 and posted top-20 finishes the last two years.
Helen Ross			CHARLES HOWELL III. His record at the Bob Hope Classic isn't stellar, but I think this will be a good year for Howell. There's no time like the present, either, and he shot 14 under in his last three rounds in Hawaii, so he's primed.
Lauren Deason			MICHAEL SIM. The Aussie dominated the Nationwide Tour in 2009 and moved to 49th in the Official World Golf Ranking after his three wins on that circuit. Will he fare as well on the PGA TOUR? We'll find out when he makes his 2010 debut this week.
Mike McAllister			JOHN MERRICK. His second-place finish here (along with top 10s in two majors) were key in Merrick making the Playoffs in 2009. And maybe it's time to break that 0-for-87 drought on TOUR.
Brian Wacker			RICKIE FOWLER. Forget about how he played in Hawaii. There will be much less pressure and attention this week, plus he'll be playing at a venue where he can let it fly a little more. I don't think he'll win, but a top-10 isn't out of the question.
Ryan Smithson			PAUL GOYDOS. His record isn't great in Palm Springs (he skipped the event last year) but he's the type that can put together 25 under over five days. Trust me, one can do a lot worse. If he wins, expect some great quotes.

Standings after Week 1

LAST WEEK: Brian Wacker leads the sleeper standings after Charles Howell tied for fifth at the Sony Open in Hawaii.:
Position	Name	Wins	Top-5s	Top-10s	Top-25s	FedExCup points
1	Brian Wacker Site Producer, PGATOUR.COM	-	1	1	1	100
2	Helen Ross Chief of Correspondents, PGATOUR.COM	-	-	1	1	77.5
3	Mike McAllister Managing Editor, PGATOUR.COM	-	-	-	1	39.5
4	Nick Zaccardi Associate Site Producer. PGATOUR.COM	-	-	-	-	30.5
5	Ryan Smithson Site Producer, PGATOUR.COM	-	-	-	-	16
6	John Swantek Host, PGA TOUR Today	-	-	-	-	16
7	Lauren Deason Editorial Coordinator, PGATOUR.COM	-	-	-	-	0