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 |
 Jim Furyk
His steady, U.S. Open-style skills are perfect for Congressional, the 2011 Open site. Has finished T3 in his two starts in Tiger’s Tourney. (15/1) |  Hunter Mahan
This feels like a lock. Mahan has finished fourth or better in three straight starts, including the U.S. Open, and has finished T12 and T8 in two starts here. (15/1) |  Tiger Woods
Tourney host never contended at the U.S. Open. It would be somewhat comical to see him hand the trophy to himself on the final green on Sunday. (7/4) | | Tiger Woods
Tiger looked angry after his U.S. Open performance. Like the Hulk, other players won't like Tiger when he's angry. (7/4) | Jim Furyk
Due to end almost two-year winless skid. Finished T5 here in the 1997 Open and has four top-11 finishes in his last five events. (15/1) | Hunter Mahan
I'm on the Mahan train and I'm not getting off yet. Has finished T14, T6 and T4 in his last three events and has gone T12, T8 in his two trips to this event. (15/1) | | Tiger Woods
The host missed last year and T6 in 2007. Tiger is always a favorite, especially this week with a shallow talent pool. (7/4) | Jim Furyk
He's heating up with one of the best putters going on tour. Finished T3 in both appearances at the AT&T National. (15/1) |  Sean O'Hair
Having a great year thanks to some spectacular ball striking. Putting hasn't been consistent, however. (25/1) | |
| Under the radar |
Steve Elling
CBSSports.com Senior Writer | Ross Devonport
CBSSports.com Fantasy Writer | Dan Lubin
CBSSports.com Golf Producer |
 Rocco Mediate
Hasn’t missed a cut all year and has finished T18 and T8 in two starts here. He likely won’t win, but he could be in the weekend mix. (100/1) |  Robert Allenby
Disappointed us at the Open, but at Congressional, he has been a rock. Aussie finished T3 and T6 in his two starts here. (30/1) |  Ryan Moore
Way overdue to win something and was T4 last week after a steady T-10 finish at the U.S. Open. Did miss the cut here last year, though. (40/1) | | Sean O'Hair
Has never played particularly well here, but he leads the tour’s All-Around ranking and is solid on par-3s and par-4s. (25/1) | Ryan Moore
Going with the hot hand here, The man with the Fidel Castro hat who finished T10 at Bethpage and T4 in Connecticut managed a T25 here a couple of years ago. (40/1) |  Bubba Watson
Did well for me last week, and his length should help him out at Congressional. Must keep his drives on the short stuff, though. (50/1) | | Robert Allenby
T6 and T3 at Congressional in the last two years. The Aussie ranks 11th on tour in Greens in Regulation. (30/1) |  Davis Love III
Even with 20 Tour titles to his name, DL3 isn't done yet. His recent T5 at the Memorial reminds us what he can do. (60/1) |  Paul Goydos
Has three top-five finishes in his last four starts, including a stellar showing last week in Connecticut. (50/1) | |
| Longshots |
Steve Elling
CBSSports.com Senior Writer | Ross Devonport
CBSSports.com Fantasy Writer | Dan Lubin
CBSSports.com Golf Producer |
 Pat Perez
Hasn’t done much worth remembering lately, but Congressional could revive him. Has finished T12 and T3 in his two starts here. (80/1) |  Matt Bettencourt
The unheralded rookie has finished fifth, 10th and 34th in his last three starts. Does he have enough gas left for one more big week? (100/1) |  Michael Letzig
The afro-sporting second-year pro has amassed four straight top-25 finishes and was T14 at Memorial, playing alongside Woods. (80/1) | |  Bryce Molder
Molder is sneakily having himself a nice little run lately with a T23 at the Byron Nelson, a T2 in Memphis and a T19 last week. (80/1) |  Alex Cejka
Cejka finished T9 here last year and has six top-25s in his last 11 events. Doesn’t hit the ball a long way, but is very straight off the tee. (100/1) |  Robert Garrigus
Finished T27 here last year and is coming off a solid T16 at the Travelers and T19 at the Byron Nelson. Hits the ball a mile, but not the best putter in the world. (No line) | |  Rod Pampling
Picked up a T19 and T3 in his appearances at Tiger's event at Congressional. Hasn't had a top-10 since March. (60/1) |  Charley Hoffman
Made every cut in 15 events this season, That tells you how solid he's playing. Just waiting for that breakthrough. (60/1) |  Scott McCarron
Had some of the best putting numbers last week at the Travelers. His irons need to come around for him to contend. (No line) | |
