British Open: Dark horse candidates to raise the Claret Jug

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AUGUSTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 08: Paul Casey of England looks on during a practice round prior to The Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 08, 2019 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Paul Casey – 50/1

Very quietly, Casey is having one of the best years on Tour. He has made the cut in 13 of 17 events (one of which was a W/D) and finished in the top 25 in 12 of them. He finished T-29th in the other. Within those results are six top-tens, a T-5th, a T-4th, a T-3rd, a 2nd, and a 1st.

This has led to Casey ranking 8th in the FedEx Cup, as well as 8th on the money list this year, where he has made just under $4 million.

When you look at Casey’s stats in SG, it makes sense as to why he has been playing so well this season. Here are his numbers across the board.

Off the tee: 7th (.717)
Approach: 17th (.696)
Around the green: 43rd (.200)
Putting: 141st (-.141)
Tee to green: 7th (1.614)
Total: 11th (1.473)

If Casey could get the putter in line, he would rank near the top in total SG, instead of 11th. To be on the cusp of the top ten with a negative ranking in putting shows just how well he plays in every other aspect of this game.

Putting normally isn’t this bad for Casey. In the last three years, he has ranked in the ’70s during each season.

Casey heads into this year’s British Open playing some of the best golf of his career, from tee to green. If the putter is working, or at least average, I really like Casey as a dark horse to make the top ten, and make a run come Sunday for the win.

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