U.S. Open 2021: 5 dark horse sleepers who can win at Torrey Pines

U.S. Open 2021 sleeper No. 4: Ryan Palmer (+15000)

Ryan Palmer may not be the longest hitter in the world but he hits it far enough. He may not be the best iron player in the world but he’s better than many. He may not be the hottest with the flat stick but he can putt just fine. And when you put him at Torrey Pines, the veteran Texan is hard to ignore for the third major of 2021.

Though we know that Torrey Pines will be set up much tougher for a U.S. Open than it is during the regular PGA Tour season, Palmer has enjoyed tremendous success at this venue. His finishes at the Farmers Insurance Open over the past four years have been two second-place finishes in addition to coming in 13th in 2019 and 21st in 2020.

Admittedly, Palmer’s recent form (on courses in Texas where you would assume he’d be comfortable) has left a bit to be desired, including missing the cut at the PGA Championship and, overall, not finishing inside the top 30 in any of his last five starts.

Then again, that’s probably why Palmer’s odds are so long for the U.S. Open. At a course where he’s done nothing but succeed and with a player who was white-hot at the turn of the calendar year just a few months ago, it’s hard not to look at +15000 and think that there is some real sleeper potential in play.