RBC Heritage: Dark Horses to watch out for at Hilton Head

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC - APRIL 15: Satoshi Kodaira of Japan poses with the trophy after winning on the third playoff hole during the final round of the 2018 RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links on April 15, 2018 in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

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MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – FEBRUARY 21: Cameron Smith of Australia lines up a putt on the 17th green during the first round of World Golf Championships-Mexico Championship at Club de Golf Chapultepec on February 21, 2019 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images) /

Cameron Smith – 50/1

The Young Aussie has been making his name known on Tour so far this year. Playing a full slate, Cameron Smith has actually already notched three top ten finishes. A T7 at the CJ Cup, a T9 at The Farmers Insurance, and a T6 at the WGC in Mexico.

He does have one victory under his belt, although it came back in 2017. Smith won the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. It doesn’t hold the same weight as a normal win, as this is one that he won with his playing partner, Jonas Blixt. They held off a hard charging Kevin Kisner and Scott Brown, defeating them in four playoff holes.

Heading into the RBC Heritage, he stands out as one of my dark horses for one main reason. His driving, and by association his strokes gained off the tee. Coming in at a very poor 188th (and -.393 SG), it is by far the worst part of his game. Check out the rest of his strokes gained numbers.

Approach: .491 strokes gained, good for 36th.

Around the Green: .385 strokes gained, good for 18th.

Putting: .645 strokes gained, good for 17th.

If Smith can get the number off the tee positive, he is going to be someone to watch this week. We know that he can score. In order to score well, he is going to need to be able to start off on the right foot by putting himself in good position off the tee.

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