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10 dark-horse candidates to win the 2019 PGA Championship
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Adam Scott


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Scott is one of a select few in the field to have played in the 2002 U.S. Open at Bethpage. He missed the cut that week, but has since finished T36 at the 2009 U.S. Open, 62nd at The Barclays in 2012 and T4 at the same tournament in 2016. Scott has missed two cuts in 2019, but he’s also notched two top-10 and two additional top-20 finishes. He'll use his experience with the course to his advantage, which could lead to him vying for his second career major. 

Ryan Moore


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Moore finished third at the Valero Texas Open and has two top-10 finishes at Bethpage Black. The first came at the 2009 U.S. Open, where he finished T10. The second was a T7 at The Barclays in 2016. Moore clearly knows how to play Bethpage. 

Hideki Matsuyama


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Matsuyama has been a consistent factor over the past year almost every time he’s teed it up. He hasn’t missed a cut since the 2018 British Open and has five top-10 finishes during that time. He definitely has the chops to be a factor over the weekend.

Jason Kokrak


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After missing the cut at the Open Championship a year ago, Kokrak hasn’t missed one since. He has four top-10 finishes so far in 2019. He also finished T7 at The Barclays in 2016. Something about the venue seems to suit his eye.

Emiliano Grillo


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Grillo’s failed to reach the weekend just once since missing the cut at the British Open in 2018. He has three top-10 finishes over that same period. At the 2016 Barclays at Bethpage, Grillo finished one shot behind Patrick Reed. That was good enough for a tie for second.

Lucas Bjerregaard


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Bjerregaard made a huge splash earlier in 2019 when he ended Tiger Woods’ run at the WGC–Dell Technologies Match Play. His 2018 was notable as well. He produced a win and nine other top-10 finishes. If he’s finding the short grass, Bjerregaard’s distance will serve him quite well at Bethpage.

Brandt Snedeker


Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Snedeker has missed only two cuts since the 2018 Open Championship. During that time, he has a win and three other top-10 finishes. Additionally, he finished second at The Barclays in 2012 en route to winning that year’s FedEx Cup, which was played at this year's PGA course. Snedeker has a reputation for being a grinder. If he's consistent throughout, he has a chance to be in the mix at Bethpage.

Jazz Janewattananond


Xinhua/Sipa USA

Janewattananond has played outstanding golf in 2019, posting six top-10 finishes, including a win. He has been nothing short of dominant while playing mostly in Asia. Don’t be surprised if this week turns out to be something of a coming-out party for him.

Henrik Stenson


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The 2016 Open champ has made four straight cuts. That includes a T9 finish at the WGC Match Play. Stenson notched eight top-10 finishes in 2018, and finished in ninth place at the 2009 U.S. Open. Past success at the course helps his chances of winning the PGA Championship.

Jordan Spieth


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Spieth has made the cut in each of his last four tournaments and in eight of his last nine. He also finished T10 at The Barclays in 2016, held at Bethpage Black, showing he has a comfort level with the course. It wouldn’t be shocking to see Spieth complete the career grand slam.

This article first appeared on Sportsnaut and was syndicated with permission.

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