Sleeper Picks: Verizon Heritage (PGATOUR.com)

April 13, 2010

The PGA TOUR heads to Hilton Head for the Verizon Heritage this week. Here’s how the PGATOUR.COM experts size up the top contenders:

EXPERT PICKSHow 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 hereSLEEPER PICKSOf 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.MORE VERIZON HERITAGE: Power Rankings | Inside the Field | Inside the course | FANTASY GOLF: Play our game—FREE! Sleeper picks: Verizon Heritage Expert Pick order Player selected Nick Zaccardi BRYCE MOLDER. Four top-10s this year, but also three missed cuts. It’s hard to believe this is his first start at Harbour Town. I’m hoping for some beginner’s luck. Ryan Smithson CHRIS COUCH. Like Matt Kuchar, he’s a big guy who hits it straight. He’s been a good story this year; hurt for a couple of years, then tied for fourth at Bay Hill. We’ll see if he keeps it up. LaurenDeason JONATHAN BYRD. The Clemson grad and Sea Island resident should feel right at home in the Low Country. Hes a three-time winner on TOUR who’s made six cuts in nine starts this year, including a T8 at the Transitions. Casey Black RICKY BARNES. With two top 10 finishes in his last two major starts, Barnes has proven he has the game to win. It’s only a matter of time! Anne Szeker JOSH TEATER. This rookie had Masters week off and celebrated his 31st birthday. He’s made his last four cuts, and was T14 in Houston. MikeMcAllister SPENCER LEVIN. Has cashed in seven of eight starts this year but still looking for first top 10 finish. Two reasons to like him this week—he’s fifth in greens in regulation, and he tied for 13th here last year. BrianWacker BLAKE ADAMS. The rookie, who placed third on the 2009 Nationwide Tour list to graduate to the PGA TOUR this season, has finished in the top 15 twice already. He’s also made the cut in five of nine starts. HelenRoss BRANDT SNEDEKER. Another of the stable of players who train at Sea Island, Snedeker should have a comfort zone here. He’s one of the TOUR’s best putters and ready to break out. John Swantek Stuart Appleby. Two straight top 50 finishes is nothing to get excited about—unless you missed 5 of your first 6 cuts. Stu’s game is showing signs of life; I expect a relaxing week in Hilton Head to produce a top 25. Standings after Week 14 LAST WEEK: Helen Ross jumped up the standings with her Steve Marino Masters pick: Position Name Wins Top-5s Top-10s Top-25s FedExCup points 1 Ryan SmithsonSite Producer, PGATOUR.COM - 1 1 3 473.92 2 Lauren DeasonEditorial Coordinator, PGATOUR.COM - 1 1 1 315.07 3 Brian WackerSite Producer, PGATOUR.COM - 2 2 2 295.5 4 Helen RossChief of Correspondents, PGATOUR.COM - - 1 2 285.75 5 Mike McAllisterManaging Editor, PGATOUR.COM - - 1 2 267.83 6 John SwantekHost, PGA TOUR Today - - 1 2 238.83 7 Nick ZaccardiAssociate Site Producer. PGATOUR.COM - - - 1 216 8* Casey BlackHost, PGA TOUR Today - - - 1 103.5 9* Anne SzekerSite Producer, PGATOUR.COM - - - - - * – Joining the game a little late