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Travelers Championship: Dark Horse Candidates at TPC River Highlands

By Christopher O'Day

PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 11: Phil Mickelson of the United States plays a second shot on the sixth hole during a practice round prior to the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links on June 11, 2019 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 11: Phil Mickelson of the United States plays a second shot on the sixth hole during a practice round prior to the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links on June 11, 2019 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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HUMBLE, TX – MARCH 29: Jason Kokrak hits his tee shot on the ninth hole during the first round of the Houston Open at the Golf Club of Houston on March 29, 2018 in Humble, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
HUMBLE, TX – MARCH 29: Jason Kokrak hits his tee shot on the ninth hole during the first round of the Houston Open at the Golf Club of Houston on March 29, 2018 in Humble, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Jason Kokrak – 66/1

Jason Kokrak heads to The Travelers looking to accomplish what a handful of others have already done on Tour this year. Winning his first PGA event. There have been an uncommon amount of first year winners this year, especially considering the short time span that they did it in.

The closest he has gotten was a T-2nd at thus year’s Valspar, where he lost by one stroke to Paul Casey. Kokrak has shown the potential to get that first win, now he just needs to buckle down, and get lucky.

He is exceptional off the tee, and that should benefit him on a shorter par 70 course. Kokrak ranks 21st in SG off the tee, while ranking 24th in driving distance, and 88th in driving accuracy. Putting those all together leads to great attacking situations for him, which he is normally able to convert.

It’s actually the best part of his game. He ranks 11th in SG in approach shots, leading to more high rankings in GIR, where he is 35th, and a birdie average that is good enough for 30th.

If he were better when he got in close, Kokrak would turn into a tour all-star. Unfortunately, he is a negative around the green, ranking 180th. His putting is alright and sits at 86th, but when you pair that with the atrocious short game, it makes for a bad combo.

If you see him making some decent chips this week, watch out. It could be a sign that this dark horse is going to score, and score well all week.

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