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Dark Horse Candidates at the 2019 BMW Championship

By Christopher O'Day

FARMINGDALE, NEW YORK - MAY 17: Francesco Molinari of Italy plays his shot from the fourth tee during the second round of the 2019 PGA Championship at the Bethpage Black course on May 17, 2019 in Farmingdale, New York. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
FARMINGDALE, NEW YORK - MAY 17: Francesco Molinari of Italy plays his shot from the fourth tee during the second round of the 2019 PGA Championship at the Bethpage Black course on May 17, 2019 in Farmingdale, New York. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JANUARY 27: Ian Poulter of England gives the crowd a thumbs up as he finishes his round on hole eighteen during Day Four of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club on January 27, 2019 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JANUARY 27: Ian Poulter of England gives the crowd a thumbs up as he finishes his round on hole eighteen during Day Four of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club on January 27, 2019 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images) /

Ian Poulter – 66/1 – 43rd in FedEx Cup Standings

Poulter is in range of the top 30, only 120 points back. I’m going with my heart instead of going with my head with this dark horse pick.

Poulter hasn’t played that well at the BMW since 2013, having not finished in the top 40. Back in 2012, he did finish T-12th, and he finished T-13th in 2010.

Poulter has been playing quite well lately, and it should carry over to the BMW Championship. An 8th place finish at the St. Jude Invitational was followed up by a T-10th at last week’s Northern Trust. Just like the playoffs in other sports, it doesn’t matter how you get there, as long as you are hot at the right time.

That is the case for Poulter.

I love a good short game and that’s the reason that I am going with him this week. 40th around the green and 23rd putting, Poulter takes advantage of opportunities when he is given them.

He is a great putter, but he has been money from 5′ this year, as well as from 7′. He ranks 8th and 6th there for his percentage of putts made. Overall, he is great from 10-15′ and 15-20′ as well, ranking 6th in both areas. Watch for him to convert on a lot of birdies from 5-20′, as he is one of the best on tour from those lengths.

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