Can a darkish horse or sleeper win arguably the hardest of all main championships? Historically, the reply to that query can be no, as a glance again via the listing of U.S. Open champions is a roster of blue bloods. Names like Woods, Nicklaus, Palmer and Watson are everywhere in the U.S. Open trophy. Extra so over the past decade, the final 9 U.S. Open winners have all been nicely established PGA Tour execs.
In fact, there’s at all times the uncommon prevalence of a real darkish horse sprinting forward to steal the Open. Whereas guys like Brooks Koepka, Jordan Spieth and Dustin Johnson have all gained not too long ago, there’s additionally gamers like Michael Campbell, Steve Jones and Lucas Glover who’ve all hoisted the trophy over the past 25 years.
So, you’re saying there’s an opportunity? Sure. With that in thoughts, listed here are 5 darkish horse candidates to control this week at Winged Foot.
Victor Hovland
Hovland is without doubt one of the vivid up and comers who already has a win beneath his belt on the age of 22. The Norwegian, who performed his school golf at Oklahoma State, is anticipated to grow to be the kind of participant Colin Morikawa has shortly change into. Hovland completed T-12 in his U.S. Open debut a yr in the past at Pebble Seashore and hasn’t missed a lower for the reason that season restart, compiling 5 prime 20 finishes, together with third place on the Workday Charity Open.
Jason Kokrak
The veteran PGA Tour professional surprisingly doesn’t have a ton of U.S. Open expertise having performed in simply three, however the bomber brings the size that will probably be required to deal with Winged Foot. Kokrak ranked ninth this previous season in Strokes Gained Off the Tee and seventh in Driving Distance. He additionally heads to New York enjoying stable golf with prime 15 finishes in his final three begins together with at T-6 on the BMW Championship.
Chez Reavie
A yr in the past, Reavie put collectively his greatest efficiency at a serious with a third-place end at Pebble Seashore. He did that by hitting fairway after fairway at a 75% clip. That accuracy will probably be enormous this week at Winged Foot with the plush tough anticipated to be past penal. Reavie ranked seventh on tour final season in driving accuracy and is recent off a T-Three end finally week’s Safeway Open.
Martin Kaymer
You might be probably aware of Kaymer, although you in all probability haven’t heard his title in six years or so. The German is a two-time main winner and has had success within the U.S. Open, profitable the 2014 version at Pinehurst in dominating style. Since then Kaymer has fallen off the map…till the final month. After placing collectively back-to-back prime Three showings on the European Tour, Kaymer appears to be returning to the Open in nice kind.
Rasmus Hojgaard
At simply 19 years outdated, the stud from Denmark will probably be making his U.S. Open debut at Winged Foot and if current play is any indicator, the child is prepared. Hojgaard’s inventory has been on a meteoric rise in Europe following not one, however two wins over the previous yr. The primary coming as an 18-year outdated! He’s additionally racked up 4 prime six finishes over his final 5 begins catapulting to 66th on the earth rankings. Did I point out he hasn’t celebrated his 20th birthday but?
