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U.S. Open: Top five sleeper rankings at Erin Hills

By Brandon Raper

Jun 13, 2017; Erin, WI, USA; Geese take flight above the 18th grandstand following the practice round for the U.S. Open golf tournament at Erin Hills. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 13, 2017; Erin, WI, USA; Geese take flight above the 18th grandstand following the practice round for the U.S. Open golf tournament at Erin Hills. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports /
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U.S. Open
May 11, 2017; Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, USA; Martin Kaymer plays his shot from the 16th tee during the first round of The Players Championship golf tournament at TPC Sawgrass – Stadium Course. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Martin Kaymer (Official World Ranking – 58th)

Six years ago, Martin Kaymer was the No. 1 player in the Official World Golf Ranking. Three years ago, he marched to victory in two of the biggest tournaments on the planet, holding off Jim Furyk to win The PLAYERS Championship, the steamrolling the field at Pinehurst to win the 2014 U.S. Open.

However, the German star has gone winless since then, on both sides of the pond. So, what breeds this kind of confidence that he’ll perform in golf’s toughest test?

For starters, he’s seven-for-seven on the PGA TOUR this year in stroke play events, with four top-25 finishes along the way. He spiked a tie for fourth at the Honda Classic back in February, and finished tied for 16th in the Masters. Despite some less than stellar iron play, he’s putting quite well, ranked 21st in Strokes Gained: Putting.

Kaymer did miss the cut at the BMW PGA Championship in his last worldwide start, but those misses will happen from time to time. Kaymer will lean on his U.S. Open experience this week at Erin Hills, and could be a surprise contender once again.

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