Zurich Classic of New Orleans

Neither Tiger Woods nor Phil Mickelson will be in New Orleans, and no, Ernie Els will not be in the Big Easy either. Still, the Zurich has attracted a stellar field that includes Jim Furyk, Retief Goosen, Padraig Harrington and Stewart Cink. But don't forget about the little guys when making your picks; five of the past six champions have been first-time winners. Also, the winner, if not already exempt, will earn a ticket to the Masters.

New Orleans Picks
Jim Furyk: Want proof of how tough a competitor Furyk is? Needing a birdie to tie Geoff Ogilvy at Doral on No. 18 on Monday, Furyk nearly holed a wedge shot, on the fly, from the fairway. Despite making his first trip to New Orleans since 1996, Furyk should be in the final group on Sunday.

Steve Stricker: Throw out his missed cut at the FBR, and Stricker hasn't finished worse than T14 in six events this season. He also tied for 11th last year in New Orleans.

Anthony Kim: Kim, who tied for third last year, could kill two birds this week. He could win his first tournament, and he could qualify for the Masters. That's a lot to play for.

Padraig Harrington: This guy is due for a win. In six events this season (three on the PGA Tour, three on the European Tour), Harrington hasn't finished out of the top 20. He skipped New Orleans last year, but Harrington finished T11 in 2006 and T9 in 2005.

Ryuji Imada: Imada is also on the bubble for Augusta, in part because he was DQ'd after John Daly missed the pro-am at Bay Hill. Imada is a very good putter, and he's finished runner-up twice this year.

Sleeper
Lucas Glover: Glover has played OK this year, missing only one cut, but his best finish was a T22. His record in this tournament, however, has been superb. Glover's last three finishes: T8, T7, T3.

Players to Avoid
Nick Watney: The defending champion is coming off solid finishes at Bay Hill and Doral, but it's tough for a young player to defend a title.

Davis Love III: Love needs a win to go to Augusta, and while he has done it before, there's nothing to indicate his game is heading in the right direction. In five events this season, Love has cracked the top 25 only once.

David Toms: Toms was born in Louisiana and went to school at LSU, and he won this event in 2001. But after a T9 in 2002, Toms hasn't finished better than T34.