GolfChannel.com experts offer up their picks for the AT&T National. Each week a panel of experts will offer up their picks from three groups of players based on Golf Channel’s new fantasy game, Fantasy Challenge. We will also keep track of their scores and standings. The panel consists of: senior writers Rex Hoggard, Randall Mell and Jason Sobel; contributors John Hawkins and Charlie Rymer; editorial director Jay Coffin; ‘Morning Drive’ hosts Gary Williams and Erik Kuselias; contributor Win McMurry; writer for NBCSports.com’s ProGolf Talk, Ryan Ballengee; and RotoWorld.com’s Rob Bolton.
You can battle the experts and play along as well. Just click here to get into the game.Compete against the GolfChannel.com experts and other fans in our Fantasy Challenge.
In parentheses, next to the names, are the participants’ 2011 points earned and ranking among the 17 Fantasy Challenge ‘experts.’
Rex Hoggard (7,193,715; 5th)
Group A: Nick Watney: Most consistent American right now posted four rounds in the 60s at the Travelers Championship.
Group B: Greg Chalmers: Chalmers currently leads the PGA Tour in ‘putts gained,’ whatever that means.
Group C: Patrick Cantlay: The amateur may be running on fumes but he doesn’t seem to be impacted by fatiage or conventional wisdom.
Randall Mell (4,535,889; 16th)
Group A: Nick Watney: The game feels young again, except in the United States, where Watney still seems young (at barely 30).
Group B: Rickie Fowler: Sticking with the youth theme, this would be a nice time and place for Fowler to break through for his first title.
Group C: Pat Perez: Signs of life in Perez’s game the last two months, and he’s played some tough courses well (T-6 at Harbour Town and Quail Hollow).
Jason Sobel (N/A, N/A)
Group A: Ryan Moore: Runner-up last week in Hartford + runner-up last year at Aronimink = Big things coming once again.
Group B: Brian Davis: When he wins – and yes, he will win sometime soon – it will be hailed as karma from his self-imposed penalty last year at Harbour Town.
Group C: Andres Romero: Streaky player. When he’s on, he’s on – and he appears to be on right now.
Charlie Rymer (6,616,393; 7th)
Group A: Ryan Moore: I’m betting Ryan Moore continues his good play from last week, and who knows, being in Philadelphia, he may even sport a Ben Franklin get up this week.
Group B: Bryce Molder: Molder is starting to show good form again with a solid top 10 at the Travelers.
Group C: Erik Compton: He’s got heart (and I’m not just talking about the third one beating in his chest), class, game, is an inspiration, and is a heckuva nice guy.
John Hawkins (6,251,138; 8th)
Group A: K.J. Choi: Looking for a tough-course expert with a good short game.
Group B: Jason Dufner: I’ll admit, he’s just a total hunch.
Group C: J.J. Henry: Just played in his charity outing. That oughta count for something.
Jay Coffin (7,268,073; 4th)
Group A: Hunter Mahan: As good as anyone else in the field. He’s too good not to win more often.
Group B: Bo Van Pelt: Always been a BVP fan. He played well during the weekend of the U.S. Open.
Group C: J.J. Henry: Just a gut feeling here so take it for what it’s worth. Best player of this group.
Gary Williams (6,123,389; 10th)
Group A: Nick Watney: Has been one of the most consistant players on Tour in 2011.
Group B: Sean O’Hair: Finished T-11 in 2010 AT&T National at Aronimink, where he is a member.
Group C: Johnson Wagner: Played great in Cromwell last week including shooting 63 in the second round on his way to a T-17 finish.
Erik Kuselias (6,220,687; 9th)
Group A: Ryan Moore: Finished runner-up last week in the Travelers and he was runner-up last year in the AT&T National.
Group B: J.B. Holmes: Finished runner-up last week in the Travelers and he was runner-up last year in the AT&T National.
Group C: Andres Romero: Finished T6 last week in the Travelers and played well for 36 holes at Aronimink in 2010.
Win McMurry (9,316,624; 1st)
Group A: Gary Woodland: Hard not to take Moore, but Woodland’s been spending time with Faxon this week working on his putting.
Group B: Webb Simpson: Three top-15s in his last three starts have Webb primed to breakthrough.
Group C: Tim Herron: He carded two rounds of 68 last year at Aronimink, and he recently was T-3 at the FedEx St. Jude Classic.
Ryan Ballengee (4,601,820; 15th)
Group A: Ryan Moore: Despite the missed 4-footer to tie Fredrik Jacobson at the Travelers, his game is in good shape.
Group B: Ricky Barnes: Barnes has developed a reputation for liking tough golf courses.
Group C: Johnson Wagner: There’s a trend here to my picks: find guys who played well last week and hope they do well again this week.
Rob Bolton (6,254,719; 12th)
Group A: Ryan Moore: Travelers co-runner-up is Donald Ross track specialist. Solo second last year.
Group B: J.B. Holmes: Comes in under radar despite 12-for-12 season. Solo fifth here last year.
Group C: Trevor Immelman: Runner-up at U.S. Junior Amateur at Aronimink in 1997.
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