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US Open 2017: 10 dark horse golfers to win

By Cody Williams

Mar 16, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Graeme McDowell thanks the crowd for applauding after making his putt on the 13th hole during the first round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational golf tournament at Bay Hill Club and Lodge . Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Graeme McDowell thanks the crowd for applauding after making his putt on the 13th hole during the first round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational golf tournament at Bay Hill Club and Lodge . Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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The favorites to win the 2017 US Open are relatively obvious, but who are 10 dark horse golfers that could win at Erin Hills?

The storylines are in abundance heading into the 2017 US Open at Erin Hills. Obviously there are those concerning those who won’t be playing, most notably Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. What’s more, there is the question of how the likes of Dustin Johnson and Jon Rahm will play. But the biggest story and questions coming into the second major championship is about the course itself.

Erin Hills has only hosted the US Amateur before in terms of major tournaments. Thus, the players in the field have almost unanimously not seen it before this week and are largely unfamiliar with it. As such, there is going to have to be a massive amount of caution from the players as they try to put up a low number and contend for a major.

With that type of play likely being prevalent, however, that opens up the tournament for someone to come out of nowhere. They may be a familiar name, but they could sneak up on the guys like Johnson, Rahm, Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler and so on that everyone has labeled as the favorites for this tournament. Simply put, this could be a big week for a dark horse to win the US Open.

So who are the dark horses that could pull through at Erin Hills? There are a few things to look for given the situation, most notably their strengths this season and any trends in terms of their play and finishing. Where does that leave us then in terms of possible contenders?

Here are 10 dark horses that could win the 2017 US Open Championship.

Note: All stats are courtesy of PGATour.com

10. Rafa Cabrera Bello

Though inconsistent, the way Rafa Cabrera Bello has been playing as of late certainly makes him an enticing dark horse pick for the 2017 US Open. He’s finished in the top 25 in three of his last four tournaments. What’s more, he’s tied for fourth in two of his last three outings, including at THE PLAYERS. Speaking to that inconsistency, though, he’s also missed the cut in four of his last seven tournaments play.

All that is to say is that it looks as if Cabrera Bello is the type of golfer that you don’t know what you’re going to get from him. For most of the season, that’s been true. With that being said, though, the 33-year old is a veteran who has been through the grinder both on the PGA Tour and European Tour on numerous occasions. As such, he could be hitting a groove, which is what you want in a tournament such as this.

As the players are all likely to approach Erin Hills with a bit of caution given the challenges it and the lack of knowledge of the course present, having confidence can be pivotal. With the way that Cabrera Bello has been playing, he has to be feeling great about his game. Subsequently, he could be in attack mode and could well be one of the pace-setters early on in the tournament.

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