Top Five Picks For AT&T National

The third annual AT&T National is set to begin tomorrow morning at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, MD. As host of the tournament, Tiger Woods is once again the pre-tournament favorite. However, various players on the PGA TOUR have proven that they can compete with the world's best golfer during the past few years and are eager to collect another PGA TOUR victory. Here are my Top Five Favorites To Win The AT&T National This Week (Aside From Tiger Woods):

1.) Sean O'Hair

• Coming off a win at the Quail Hollow Championship, O'Hair will be looking to build off of his consistent season with another strong performance this week. Currently ranked seventh on the PGA TOUR money list and eighth in the FedEx Cup point standings, O'Hair has shown that past meltdowns in tournaments do not keep him from achieving his dreams of winning PGA TOUR events. As one of the most talented players on TOUR today under the age of 30, O'Hair would love to win the tournament hosted by Woods, who achieved more success in his 20s than other golfer in the history of the game.

2.) Paul Casey

• Currently the number-three ranked golfer in the world, Casey is looking for his second PGA TOUR victory this season. Along with his win at the Shell Houston Open, Casey also has two victories on the European Tour in 2009. Though he missed the cut at the U.S. Open (his first missed cut of the PGA TOUR season), Casey will be ready to continue his successful 2009 campaign this week. To date, Casey has three top-fives on the PGA TOUR this year and currently ranks 12th in the FedEx Cup points standings.

3.) Nick Watney

• The two-time TOUR winner won the Buick Invitational back in January and has played rather consistently since - nine top-25s including a second-place showing at the World Golf Championships - CA Championship. Known for being a rather streaky player, Watney will look to begin another hot streak this week at Bethesda.

4.) Jim Furyk

• The 13-time TOUR winner has not won since 2007, but there are few TOUR members hungrier for another TOUR win than Furyk. Not too long ago, Furyk was ranked the number-two golfer in the world and in 2003 he won the U.S. Open. There is no doubt that Furyk is hoping to once again be known as one of the PGA TOUR's elite members. As one of the game's most consistent players, as well as its greatest grinder, Furyk is certainly anticipating another TOUR win soon. This could be the week that he ends his winless streak.

5.) Chris DiMarco

• A sentimental favorite, DiMarco has battled injuries during the past couple seasons, but appears to have his health fully restored once again. Of the 18 tournaments he has played this year, he has only missed four cuts, further showing that he is working towards a comeback in order to once again battle Tiger Woods in major championships. Finishing second to Woods in the 2005 Masters and 2006 British Open, DiMarco has shown that he certainly loves the challenge of playing head-to-head against the world number one. There is no doubt that he would certainly be prepared for the challenge of winning his first PGA TOUR event since 2002 at Tiger's tournament.