Fansided

U.S. Open 2019: 5 dark horses to win at Pebble Beach

By Cody Williams

PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 10: A general view of the 18th flag and the leaderboard is seen during a practice round prior to the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links on June 10, 2019 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 10: A general view of the 18th flag and the leaderboard is seen during a practice round prior to the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links on June 10, 2019 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
U.S. Open 2019
ANCASTER, ON – JUNE 08: Jim Furyk hits an approach shot on the second hole during the third round of the RBC Canadian Open on June 8, 2019 at Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Ancaster, ON. (Photo by Gerry Angus/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Jim Furyk (150-1)

Putting a 49-year old golfer on a list of dark horse picks to win a major championship might seem crazy, but what Jim Furyk has done throughout his career and, more importantly, this season warrants him being in this conversation. Yes, he has missed five cuts this season (which does include the Zurich Classic). However, his overall form shows a player having a late-career upswing.

In the 11 tournaments in which Furyk has made the cut, the veteran has finished in the top 25 on eight occasions. Furthermore, he’s been in the top 10 in three outings this season and finished outright second at THE PLAYERS Championship. On top of that, he’s made the cut in three-straight weeks leading into the U.S. Open, which bodes well for his recent form.

The 2003 U.S. Open winner’s game truly sets up extremely well for what Pebble Beach is going to offer. He finished tied for 16th here in 2010 and his play this season sets him up for an even better finish. Furyk’s iron game has been strong, ranking 14th on the PGA Tour in Strokes Gained: Approach the Green. Most importantly, though, he’s also first on the tour in driving accuracy and seventh in greens in regulation. That’s massively important for him in this tournament.

Furyk is the darkest of horses on this list given his age and the fact that he’s somewhat prone to inconsistency at this point. Given what Pebble Beach demands and how he’s playing, though, it’s hard not to think that he can make a move at winning his second career major.

Home/PGA Tour