U.S. Open 2019: Dark Horse candidates for Pebble Beach

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - DECEMBER 11: Erik van Rooyen of South Africa acknowledges the crowd on the 9th hole during the completion of the final round of the Joburg Open at Randpark Golf Club on December 11, 2017 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Luke Walker/Getty Images) /

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DUBLIN, OHIO – MAY 30: Henrik Stenson of Sweden watches his tee shot on the fourth hole during the first round of The Memorial Tournament Presented by Nationwide at Muirfield Village Golf Club on May 30, 2019 in Dublin, Ohio. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /

Henrik Stenson – 66/1

Henrik Stenson takes the lead in the dark horse list this week. It’s hard not to include a former major winner, and one with plenty of top ten finishes as well. He won The Open back in 2016, and has finished in the top 10 at The U.S. Open three different times.

Although he isn’t that long off the tee, he finds more fairways than just about any other golfer on tour, as he ranks 6th in driving accuracy at 71.97%. I feel this could come in handy at Pebble, knowing that setting yourself up in good positions and staying out of the “lush” rough is a must this week.

Especially when you look at how good Stenson is at approaching the green. He ranks first on tour this season in SG approaching the green, at a spectacular 1.287. With his combination of driver accuracy, and pinpoint placement around the greens, Stenson is a dark horse favorite for sure.

The only thing that gives me pause is how he ranks once he gets on or near the green. He is 128th around the green, and 130th in putting. The putter needs to be rolling well for anyone to take down a major victory. If Stenson wants to add #2 to his resume, and improved game around the green is a must for him this week.

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