Dark horse candidates to win WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational

Jim Furyk, 2003 U. S. Open champion, blasts from a sand trap on the sixth hole Thursday, October 23, 2003 at the Funai Classic at Orlando, Florida. Furyk's approach shot hit the cup and rolled into the trap and he bogeyed the hole. (Photo by A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images) /

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PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC – AUGUST 22: Danny Willett of England plays his first shot on the 5th tee during day two of D+D REAL Czech Masters at Albatross Golf Resort on August 22, 2014 in Prague, Czech Republic. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images) /

Danny Willett – 66/1

Willet has been playing some great golf over the last three weeks. He finished T-8th at the RBC Canadian Open, T-12th at the U.S. Open, and finished T-6th at last weeks British Open.

I can think of no better reason to pick Willett as a dark horse than how he has played over those events.

Once it comes down to stats though, there is a tale of two Willetts. Which makes sense when you look at how many cuts he has missed this year. He had missed the cut in seven of 12 starts, before making the cut in each of the last five events.

Off the tee and putting, Willett is below average. With rankings of 131st and 139th, he loses strokes in each at -.048 and -.128, respectively.

Then there is the Willett who excels at approach shots and around the green. He ranks 37th and 46th year, earning .416 and .182 SG.

If Willett is hitting well with the smallest and largest club in his bag, then he is able to hang in there with the big boys, as he has shown over the last three events.

When those clubs fail him, the 50%+ missed cut Willett shows up. Currently, I think we are more likely to see the good Willett, and a top ten finish is to follow.

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