Fansided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 10
Next
Apr 30, 2017; Avondale, LA, USA; Charley Hoffman watches his tee shot on the second hole during the final round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans golf tournament at TPC Louisiana. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2017; Avondale, LA, USA; Charley Hoffman watches his tee shot on the second hole during the final round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans golf tournament at TPC Louisiana. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Charley Hoffman

Young gun certainly isn’t an apt descriptor when talking about Charley Hoffman. However, the 40-year old veteran who’s been on the PGA Tour since 2000 has been playing quite well this season. Though he has just four victories on the PGA Tour in his entire career, he’s registered a win in each of the past year. Thus, he seems due and could show up big when the Tour takes to Erin Hills this weekend.

Hoffman already has three top-five finishes. And I know what you’re thinking, and yes, a top-five finish isn’t the same thing as a win. However, what that is an indication of is that he’s capable of playing with the best in the world right now. What’s more, he’s also been relatively consistent with his play this year. Hoffman has registered eight finishes in the top 25 already this season. That’s phenomenal work, especially for such a veteran player with such overall marginal success under his belt.

It’s that veteran presence on top of his 2017 form that really makes me jump at Hoffman a bit. Like we’ve discussed and will continue to, this is going to be a strange tournament because of the course itself. Thus, you need a player who’s been around and seen just about everything to withstand the forthcoming adversity. Hoffman is a player capable of that and should be a guy you at least keep an eye on.

Home/US Open Golf