FanHouse Experts Pick PGA Champ

It's the final major of the season, and with that comes the golf regulars picking who they think might win at Hazeltine National. It is Tiger's tournament to lose, but there are a lot of hungry players hoping to upset the world's best at the lengthy track. Can Tiger take his 15th major? Will Phil breakthrough for story of the year? Can a youngster finally bring one home to the playground? Find out, as the FanHouse writers pick their winner.

Shane Bacon -- It's the fourth major of the year, and I'm finally breaking down. I'm tossing in my hat. I'm stepping away from my oath. I'm forgetting where I came from. Yep, for the first time this season I'm picking (wait for it) Tiger Woods to win a major.

Yep. I took Geoff Ogilvy at the Masters (t-15), Henrik Stenson at the U.S. Open (9th) and Martin Kaymer at the British (t-34). That's all good, but I want a winner, and Woods seems like the logical man to swim with. While most expect he will run away with this thing like all the other golfers are playing with a Snoopy set of clubs, Tiger knows it will be as tough as any field he's ever played, so I don't expect him to Pebble Beach the field, but a nice two-stroke win seems fitting.

Hazeltine will be the site of his 15th major. It's time for Tiger to be major once more.

Ryan Wilson -- Here's what I wrote at Turnberry: "Cut and pasted from the Masters and then the U.S. Open: 'My default answer when it comes to the Masters is always Tiger Woods. It's unimaginative but it's also the right one.' I'll be replacing 'Masters' with 'U.S. Open' 'Open Championship' 'PGA Championship' for this preview, because Tiger's playing so well right now that it isn't enough to just win. He has to win without any outside interference (perceived or otherwise) from rules officials.

Michael David Smith -- I'm picking Tiger Woods, and this time I mean it. Yes, I know, it's been a horrendous drought in which he's gone a shocking five straight majors without winning one. But I expect the Tiger who showed up at Bridgestone to show up at the PGA as well. It's unrealistic for anyone else to hold Tiger to the standard he holds himself to -- expecting to win every major -- but I do expect him to win this one.

Greg Couch -- This has been the year of the other guy at the majors. Tom Watson didn't win the British Open. Phil Mickelson didn't win the U.S. Open. Can you remember the names of the other guys who did? The problem is, picking the other guy is impossible. If I had to pick one, I'd take Hunter Mahan. But at this point, Tiger Woods, the guy, has got to be embarrassed, having missed the cut in Scotland. This is his last chance for the year. He's going to win and save the year for him.

Jay Mariotti -- I have picked Tiger Woods to win every major tournament this year. I am 0-for-3. Undaunted, I will pick him again at the PGA Championship, simply because he rediscovered his putter at the Buick and generally because he cannot go more than 14 months without a major without breaking out in hives.

Will Brinson -- Phil Mickelson. Besides my obvious reason of "always picking Phil." I'm in Vegas and will lay $100 on him to win knowing I'll be away from television and can't watch him claim his second PGA Championship.

Stephanie Stradley -- I like Woods for the same reasons MDS does.

But if I had to pick someone else out, I'd pick Hunter Mahan. I could give reasons relating to the improvement of his play in 2009 but any reasons I'd give wouldn't be better than the reasons to pick Woods.

Clay Travis -- Kenny Perry. Fun stat, Perry is the all-time leading money-earner for players who have not won a major championship. Admittedly this is galling, like being the best-looking girl in the ugly sorority, but, still, eventually the odds have to work in his favor, right? Even though he's 48.

I think so.

Plus, it's in Minnesota. Something wacky has to happen. In honor of the neverending Senate campaign, I think this major goes to a playoff as well. Perry locks it down.