Each week during the official PGA Tour season, a panel of CBSSports.com staffers each will identify nine players to watch in three distinct categories -- longshots, favorites and ‘tweeners. The picks will be based on a combination of homework, guesswork and just plain instinct.
Note: Odds courtesy of Las Vegas Hilton Sports Book and/or Golfodds.com.
| Favorites |
Steve Elling
CBSSports.com Senior Writer | Ross Devonport
CBSSports.com Fantasy Writer | Dan Lubin
CBSSports.com Golf Producer |
 Hunter Mahan
If not for the worst break of the week, he might have won the U.S. Open, not Lucas Glover. Has gone T2, W and T2 in his last three Hartford starts. (12/1) |  Bubba Watson
He keeps getting closer to that first win. A bad final round hurt him last week, but he was T18 at the Open and T6 here last year. (40/1) |  Lucas Glover
I’m amazed he didn’t withdraw, but that's the kind of kid he is, sticking to his commitment to play. Does he have any gas left in his tank? (30/1) | | Hunter Mahan
Came through for me with a T6 last week and has been a monster on this course with two runner-ups and a win in his last three trips. A no-brainer pick. (12/1) |  Vijay Singh
The Big Fijian's game is really starting to come around. Plus, Singh has excelled in this event with back-to-back top-five finishes the last two seasons and two other top-15s back in the 90s. (15/1) |  Woody Austin
Woody has picked up his play in the last few weeks with a T22, T6, T27 and a T9. Won here in 2004 and has two other top-10s in his last four visits. (30/1) | | Hunter Mahan
Coming off a great performance at Bethpage, Mahan gets back to work on a track where he's gone T2-Win-T2 in his last three appearances. (12/1) |  Kenny Perry
He's come down to earth since the Masters, but TPC River Highlands has been great for Perry - seven career top-10 finishes there. (20/1) |  Brian Gay
He missed the cut at Bethpage, but that means he'll be less run down. But will his potent putter be in effect for a third win? (30/1) | |
| Under the radar |
Steve Elling
CBSSports.com Senior Writer | Ross Devonport
CBSSports.com Fantasy Writer | Dan Lubin
CBSSports.com Golf Producer |
 Sergio Garcia
He’s been piecing his game back together heading to the British Open and was a solid T10 last week. The rowdy fans even left him alone, mostly. (15/1) |  Stewart Cink
Hasn’t done much to write about lately – which hasn’t stopped him from Twittering incessantly – but he has two career wins in Hartford. (20/1) |  Justin Rose
Wife had a baby this spring and he’s played a little distractedly for weeks. Was T19 and T9 here the past two years, so maybe he’ll perk up. (40/1) | | Bubba Watson
Nice T18 at Bethpage, and long drivers have always done well in this event. Finished T6 last year with four rounds in the 60s. (40/1) |  Dustin Johnson
Solid first two rounds at the U.S. Open, and I'm going with the long driver thing again. Had three straight top-25s before Bethpage. (40/1) |  Brian Davis
Took some well-earned time off the last couple of weeks, but don't forget about his superb May. Has two top-16 finishes here in the last three years. (50/1) | | Sergio Garcia
He's been in a funk, his putting horrendous, but something tells me his T10 last week at U.S. Open is a harbinger for better times. (15/1) |  David Toms
Combining great ball striking and effective putting, Toms is having a fantastic season. The missing piece is a victory. (20/1) |  Kevin Na
Has posted some of the best putting numbers in 2009, which has helped him garner six top-10s. Comes in fresh after three weeks off. (40/1) | |
| Longshots |
Steve Elling
CBSSports.com Senior Writer | Ross Devonport
CBSSports.com Fantasy Writer | Dan Lubin
CBSSports.com Golf Producer |
 Matt Bettencourt
Unheralded rookie could be in either of the first two categories on this list after T5 at Memorial and T10 at U.S. Open in last two starts. (80/1) |  Nick O’Hern
He almost certainly won’t win, but a high finish could be in the cards for the reliable Aussie lefty. Has finished in top 19 here the last two years. (80/1) |  Chris DiMarco
Is a Duval-style breakthrough near? DiMarco has made eight of nine cuts and was T13 on a tough Memorial layout three weeks ago. (80/1) | |  Paul Goydos
This seems like the sort of course that would fit Goydos’ game, but has never done well here. Two top-fives in his last three events prove he's doing something right lately, though. (80/1) |  Michael Letzig
Letzig has missed just one cut so far this season and finished 10th here in 2008 thanks to a third-round 63. Comes in with three straight top-25s under his belt. (No line) |  Corey Pavin
Has a stellar record lately at the Travelers with three top-10s, a T21 and a T36 in his last five trips. Surprised he's not on the odds list. (No line) | | Woody Austin
Recent top-10s at St. Jude and Colonial. He was the 2004 champion at River Highlands and finished inside the top 10 twice since. (30/1) |  Kevin Sutherland
He's starting the get in a groove now with solid results in his last three outtings. Finished inside the top 25 nine times at River Highlands. (50/1) |  Briny Baird
Ranks third in GIR and has turned in a number of fine performances, but he comes to Connecticut off two straight missed cuts. (80/1) | |
