Dean and DeLuca Invitational: Top 5 sleeper picks

Kyle Reifers — No. 198

Another familiar name who struggled during the early part of this year, it appears that Reifers is finally emerging from a long slump. The Wake Forest product has gotten progressively better results in the Texas events this season, so look for him to finish his ascent with a great week at the Dean and DeLuca Invitational.

With a tie for 20th at last week’s AT&T Byron Nelson, Reifers should finally have some momentum working in his favor. He did stumble to the finish, closing with a 72, but that taste of success could be all he needs to mount a full-fledged turnaround. It doesn’t hurt that he’s enjoyed some past success at Colonial — he had an outstanding week at last year’s invitational, shooting four rounds of 68 or better to finish in fifth place. Buoyed by those memories, he should be able to get something going this week. It’s been a rough year for him on the stat sheet, but driving accuracy and strokes gained: around-the-green have been two bright spots.

Reifers won’t draw the biggest galleries, but he’s demonstrated winning potential before — he came within a whisker of victory at the 2015 Barracuda Championship, losing a playoff to J.J. Henry. With a few lucky breaks, he has the potential to surprise us again.