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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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Kevin Na Charles Schwab Challenge
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MAY 26: Kevin Na of the United States plays his shot from the sixth tee during the final round of the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club on May 26, 2019 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

Kevin Na – 125/1

Speaking of the Charles Schwab, Kevin Na is the golfer who was able to take home the trophy there, but he wasn’t the only one who took home a neat prize. The winner of the event was given a restored 1973 Dodge Challenger. As Na made the clinching putt, he pointed at his caddie, Kenny Harms, telling him it was his.

With the $1.374 million dollar check he received for winning the event, it isn’t like Na needed the car, and it’s an incredible show of goodwill and friendship for his longtime caddie. Could it be a nice dose of karma as well, heading into a major for Na?

That would be the hope, as Na has only one top ten in his U.S. Open appearances, back in 2016 at Oakmont.

He has been having a very successful season so far, with four top tens, and currently sits 31st in the OWGR, and 30th in winnings. He can make a huge jump up that list, especially if he plays well in his main area of struggle, off the tee.

Na ranks a lowly 156th off the tee, and is actually a negative player from there at -.180 SG. AT 122nd in distance, and 75th in accuracy, it’s easy to see why.

He is one of the better players in approach and around the green, ranking 42nd and 21st, respectively. If he is able to take advantage of his strengths, he could easily get a nice leg up over his competition as they struggle with the tough conditions at Pebble this week.

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