Sleeper Picks: Sony Open

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Jan. 12, 2010

The Sony Open at Hawaii is the other half of the two-tournament Aloha Swing. Here's how the PGATOUR.COM experts sized up the dark horses at Waialae Country Club:

EXPERT PICKS
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Sleeper picks: Sony Open at Hawaii

Expert	Pick order	Player selected
Lauren Deason			RICKIE FOWLER. Who isnt excited to see Fowler, now an official member of the PGA TOUR, make his 2010 season debut? He nearly won last season in his second start as a professional and earned his PGA TOUR card in his first try at q-school.
Mike McAllister			TIM CLARK. The last time we saw Clark at Waialae, he was shooting 64 in the final round last year to finish tied for 12th. The South African was outstanding at The Presidents Cup, and after 195 starts without a victory, it's about time he reaches the winner's circle.
John Swantek			KEVIN NA. Typically a fast starter who has posted two top-five finishes in his only two career starts at Waielae Country Club. Coming off his best season ever ... now needs to break through to the next level and win.
Helen Ross			CHAD CAMPBELL. A solid ball-striker who hits a lot of greens, Campbell has posted two top-10s at the Sony Open in his last three starts -- including a tie for second in 2006. After two playoff losses last year, this would be a great place to set the tone for 2010.
Ryan Smithson			BOO WEEKLEY. I can't wait to see how he opens the year after an injury-riddled 2009. The small greens at Waialae Country Club tend to showcase his ball-striking and limit his putting woes, which was his main culprit last year.
Nick Zaccardi			K.J. CHOI. We didn't hear much from the 2008 Sony Open champ last year while countryman Y.E. Yang burst onto the scene. It's a new year, and I'm willing to give Choi a shot at one of his best venues.
Brian Wacker			CHARLES HOWELL III. I don't like Howell's inaccuracy off the tee, or his putting, but it's a little hard to argue with history when the guy has four career top-15 finishes at Waialae, including a tie for second in 2007, a tie for third in 2005 and a tie for fourth in 2002.