AT&T National

Even though Tiger Woods is out of competition for the rest of the year, we were hoping this week’s AT&T National would bring him out of hibernation, since he is the host of the tournament. But our dreams were crushed when Woods announced via conference call Monday that his doctors advised him not to fly for a few weeks after his surgery.

Of course his doctors also told him not to play in the U.S. Open.

So while Woods stays put in Florida, watch out for one of the Tour’s next-big-things to make a splash this week.

AT&T Picks

Camilo Villegas: Since missing the cut at the Masters, Villegas has notched three top 10s in six events, including a T9 at the U.S. Open. Villegas is also having a great statistical year. He is sixth in all-around rankings. Villegas and Pat Perez are the only two players in the top 7 who haven’t won a tournament this year.

Mike Weir: In his last three events, Weir hasn’t finished outside the top 20, and he nearly won the Memorial. Congressional is long, and a U.S. Open course, but Weir has the game for tough courses. He’s won the Masters, plus he tied for 18^th at Torrey Pines.

Robert Allenby: With three top 10s in his last five events, Allenby, like Stewart Cink earlier this year, keeps knocking on the door. He tied for sixth in the AT&T’s inaugural year, so while there isn’t much history to go on, Allenby knows Congressional well.

Stuart Appleby: While Appleby hasn’t gotten the job done on Sundays, he rarely misses a cut, and he would love to win his friend’s tournament. Appleby finished tied for third last year.

Jim Furyk: Another guy who rarely misses a cut, and seems to do well on tough courses, is Furyk. If anyone is going to rule a Tiger-less year, it should be him. Furyk also tied for third last year.

Sleeper

Corey Pavin: He’s quietly having a good month, notching three top 10s in his last four events. While he may not win, Pavin seems to have a hot hand.

Players to Avoid 

K.J. Choi: The defending champ has missed three cuts in his last four events, and he finished T53 in the one event he did make the cut.

Trevor Immelman: He’s going to be a hard pick for the rest of the year  because he’s freely admitted the post-Masters demands have worn him out. It’s showed in his play. One week he wins the Masters; then he missed two cuts; he nearly won the St. Jude; followed by a lackluster U.S. Open.

Brandt Snedeker: Snedeker seems to have figured out the majors, he’s notched top 10s at the Masters and the U.S. Open. But he can’t seem to keep the momentum going. He missed the cut last week in his first event since Torrey Pines.