Pro Golf Now
Fansided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
U.S. Open
Jun 10, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Stewart Cink hits his tee shot on the eighth hole during the third round of the FedEx St. Jude Classic golf tournament at TPC Southwind. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Stewart Cink (Official World Ranking – 158th)

Stewart Cink made the top of my sleepers for the FedEx St. Jude Classic, and through three rounds he appeared poised to bring home the title at TPC Southwind. A three-over round of 74 on Sunday opened the door for eventual champion Daniel Berger and a host of others to pass Cink on the leader board.

I’m not going to allow that one poor round to completely change my outlook on the 44-year-old former Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket. Stricker is playing with an energy that was largely absent through the late part of 2016. The only thing making Cink a sleeper instead of a favorite, this week at least, is his general lack of strong results over the last couple of years.

Cink is building his success this year largely on the back of his typical, deadly accurate iron play. Ranked 19th in Greens in Regulation percentage (69.08%), Cink has overcome some oftentimes wayward driving to give himself a bunch of scoring chances.

I’m not particularly scared by Cink’s fairway percentages – 53.59%, ranked 183rd on Tour this year. As long as he avoids the punitive, albeit freshly trimmed fescue, he should be just fine. What better way to get back in the winner’s circle for the first time since the 2009 Open Championship?

Next: U.S. Open Complete Players Guide

With just a few hours remaining until first round tee times at the 117th U.S. Open, who are you liking for the win? Or is it way too early to think about the outcome? Maybe we should just wonder whether or not Thursday will bring thunderstorms and an extended weather delay to Erin Hills!

Home/Golf Power Rankings