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2016 US Open: 5 dark horse golfers who could contend

By Brad Weiss

OAKMONT, PA - JUNE 13: A clock displays the time during a practice round prior to the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club on June 13, 2016 in Oakmont, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
OAKMONT, PA - JUNE 13: A clock displays the time during a practice round prior to the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club on June 13, 2016 in Oakmont, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images) /
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May 15, 2016; Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, USA; Hideki Matsuyama hits his tee shot on the 12th hole during the final round of the 2016 Players Championship golf tournament at TPC Sawgrass – Stadium Course. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
May 15, 2016; Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, USA; Hideki Matsuyama hits his tee shot on the 12th hole during the final round of the 2016 Players Championship golf tournament at TPC Sawgrass – Stadium Course. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Hideki Matsuyama

Matsuyama has quietly turned into one of the better young golfers on tour. The PGA Tour is filled with amazing young talent, but Matsuyama is beginning to nudge himself into the conversation. He has been one of the more consistent golfers on tour since 2013, and is on the cusp of greatness.

The 24-year old possesses the kind of skills needed to have a solid week at Oakmont in this year’s Open. Few players on the PGA Tour can rival Matsuyama’s ball-striking and play tee-to-green, and he plays with a fearlessness that is way beyond his years. He plays his best golf in the toughest situations, which will prove to be a huge advantage at a course as tough as Oakmont.

In his two career PGA Tour victories, Matsuyama has had to win in playoff holes to take the championship. He beat Kevin Na in the first playoff hole at the Memorial Tournament in 2014, and most recently, he bested Rickie Fowler on the fourth playoff hole to capture the 2016 Waste Management Phoenix Open. He will need nerves of steel if he is going to overcome the challenges of Oakmont.

Matsuyama finished T7 in the first Major of this year, the Masters, and he could be right back in contention this week. He will be featured in a marquee pairing that tees off at 1:36 pm ET with Sergio Garcia and Dustin Johnson.

Next: No. 3 Kevin Chappell

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