Masters Dark Horses: 10 Under the Radar Picks for Augusta

Alex Noren

OWGR: 11th

Odds: 100/1

At No. 11 in the Official World Golf Ranking, Noren has enjoyed more recent success than your typical dark horse, but make no mistake — it would be a real surprise to see this Swede in Butler Cabin this year. With zero previous starts at the Masters and mediocre recent results around the world, he won’t be on anyone’s shortlist to win.

That being said, this 34-year-old just might have what it takes to make a run at a green jacket this year. After dealing with injuries for much of 2014 and 2015, he somehow took his career to new heights last year, winning four European Tour events, including the prestigious Scottish Open and Nedbank Golf Challenge, between July and November. He ended up in third place in the Race to Dubai, trailing only a pair of major winners in Henrik Stenson and Danny Willett.

Statistically, Noren has hit well over three-quarters of his greens in regulation this year, and while his performance with the flatstick has been a bit underwhelming, we’ve seen him catch fire on the greens in the past. After an out-of-nowhere star turn in the 2016 season, an out-of-nowhere major win would be a fitting way to kick-start his 2017.