Fantasy Island: 2011 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational

• By Golf Channel Digital
• Aug 4, 2011 8:43 AM ET

GolfChannel.com experts offer up their picks for the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. Each week a panel of experts will offer up their picks from three groups of players based on Golf Channel's new fantasy game, Fantasy Challenge. We will also keep track of their scores and standings. The panel consists of: senior writers Rex Hoggard, Randall Mell and Jason Sobel; contributors John Hawkins and Charlie Rymer; editorial director Jay Coffin; "Morning Drive" hosts Gary Williams and Erik Kuselias; contributor Win McMurry; writer for NBCSports.com's ProGolf Talk, Ryan Ballengee; and RotoWorld.com's Rob Bolton.

You can battle the experts and play along as well. Just click here to get into the game.Compete against the GolfChannel.com experts and other fans in our Fantasy Challenge.

In parentheses, next to the names, are the participants' 2011 points earned and ranking among the 17 Fantasy Challenge "experts."

Rex Hoggard (8,977,453; 4th)

Group A: Rory McIlroy: Loves Firestone and has gone three weeks without a top-10. He's due.

Group B: Gary Woodland: Fresh off a T-4 and playing a bomber's golf course.

Group C: Sergio Garcia: Great track record and no better place to complete his comeback.        

Randall Mell (7,009,129; 11th)

Group A: Steve Stricker: Confidence is high, game is sharp. Firestone suits him.

Group B: Hunter Mahan: Last year's win among three top-10s for him here.

Group C: Sean O'Hair: Follows up his Canadian Open win on a course where he's played well.   

Charlie Rymer (8,038,142; 7th)

Group A: Nick Watney: Long course with parallel fairways must look very appetizing to him.

Group B: Gary Woodland: Continuing the long theme. He should enjoy blasting away.

Group C: Sergio Garcia: Played some decent golf in 2011 and is long overdue for a win.

John Hawkins (8,016,098; 9th)

Group A: Lee Westwood: It's been a while, about time he wins against a premium field.

Group B: Tiger Woods: He's a 'B' ... Reason enough to pick him.

Group C: Sergio Garcia: Good driver on a good driving course and has a good record in this event.

Jay Coffin (9,982,235; 3rd)

Group A: Dustin Johnson: Too much talent. Needs a big win this year.

Group B: Adam Scott: Would be justice to win Tiger's return with Williams on the bag.

Group C: Jeff Overton: A T-6 last year in his only appearance. Could use another one.

Gary Williams (8,016,343; 8th)

Group A: Charl Schwartzel: Has played well in big events this year, as noted by his Masters win.

Group B: Gary Woodland: Perfect fit for Firestone in his first appearance.

Group C: Anders Hansen: Put up a solid season, including a T-3 at Doral.

Erik Kuselias (6,740,587; 12th)

Group A: Steve Stricker: Has not finished outside the top 20 since February.

Group B: Hunter Mahan: Defending champion needs momentum heading into the PGA.

Group C: Sean O'Hair: Back on form and should stay there for a while.

 Win McMurry (10,830,711; 2nd)

 Group A: Matt Kuchar: Tied for ninth last year at Firestone and has top -5s in two WGC events this year.

 Group B: Adam Scott: Has played great in big tournaments this season and has the game for this course.

 Group C: Rickie Fowler: Love the idea of a young gun stealing the spotlight from Tiger on his "home turf."

Ryan Ballengee (5,879,899; 15th)

Group A: Dustin Johnson: Seems to shake off major disappointment well. Gets another chance.

Group B: Hunter Mahan: Returning to the site of his 2010 win should get his game on track.

Group C: Sergio Garcia: Always plays well here. No reason that won't continue.

Rob Bolton (7,548,775; 10th)

Group A: Dustin Johnson: Currently on form and solid results in both starts here.

Group B: Bo Van Pelt: Among the best in the world tee-to-green.

Group C: Jeff Overton: Tied for sixth last year in first Firestone appearance.

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