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

By Christopher O'Day

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)
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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Gary Woodland
PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL – FEBRUARY 24: Gary Woodland plays a shot on the first fairway during the third round of the Honda Classic at PGA National Resort and Spa on February 24, 2018 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Gary Woodland – 80/1

The golf world has been enamored with Gary Woodland for his low screamer, and Justin Thomas even called him the GOAT. With how often he has been using it this year, it makes sense. Add that in with the success of the shot, and the visual effect that it has, it has helped make Woodland a fan favorite to watch.

How will that translate to Pebble Beach? Only Time will tell. He is one of the better players off the tee in the entire PGA though, which could put him in good situations time and time again.

Woodland ranks 11th in driving distance, 11th in SG off the tee, and 64th in driving accuracy, which is pretty good for a bomber. Looking at how well he does off the tee, paired with how he fares on his second shot normally makes me happy once again that gambling is illegal in Washington State… well, it makes my wife happy at least.

Woodland is 24th in SG on approaching the green. He also ranks 11th in GIR, at just over 70%. As Rory showed last week at the RBC, if you are able to cut the course down by being a monster off the tee, you are able to be aggressive with your second shot, leading to a bunch of scoring opportunities.

There is no reason that Woodland, when he is playing well, shouldn’t be able to do this with the way his game is setup. Like Stenson though, it is going to come down to the putter. Woodland is actually a little worse, ranking 150th in SG putting. Don’t be surprised to see a bunch of missed scoring opportunities for Woodland this week. But if they start falling, watch out leaderboard.

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