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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 27, 2016; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Kevin Chappell on the 11th tee box during the second round of the 2016 Dean & Deluca Invitational at Colonial Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports
May 27, 2016; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Kevin Chappell on the 11th tee box during the second round of the 2016 Dean & Deluca Invitational at Colonial Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Kevin Chappell

Chappell is having the best year of his pro career, though it has also been arguably his most inconsistent. Chappell has finished runner-up three times this year, including finishing a single shot behind Jason Day twice, once at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, and the other at The Players Championship. Chappell has now finished as runner-up five times in his PGA Tour career without having yet claimed victory.

A product of UCLA, he was the 2008 Jack Nicklaus Award winner, which is given to the collegiate player of the year. He also won an NCAA Championship while golfing for the Bruins, so he is no stranger to pressure.

Although he has not played well in his last three Opens, he did finish in the top 10 in his first two tries, in 2011 and 2012. In 2011, in his first appearance in a US Open, Chappell finished T3 at Congressional Country Club.

Currently, Chappell ranks ninth on the PGA Tour in FEDEXCUP season points, and is sixth in the money rankings. This season has had its ups and downs for Chappell, but if he can find the magic he showed at The Players Championship, he has enough skill to pull out a win.

Chappell will tee of at 8:02 am ET, and will be paired with Rafa Cabrera and J.B. Holmes.

Next: No. 2 Adam Scott

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