As we continue the build-up to the final Major of the 2014 season, the US PGA Championship, EuropeanTour.com stats guru Steve Doughty picks his alternate five to watch at Valhalla...
With all eyes firmly on World Top Five form dogs Rory McIlroy, Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson and Justin Rose, this week we focus on five European names who, despite perhaps being a couple of steps back from the glaring spotlight, are still in with a real chance of success in Kentucky.
Stephen Gallacher
- The 2014 season has represented a career high with a successful defence of his Omega Dubai Desert Classic title, plus five other top ten finishes to sit comfortably in the top 35 of the Official World Golf Ranking
- Playing in his fifth US PGA Championship with a best finish of tied 18th in 2010
- Just nine points away from qualification in The Ryder Cup World Points List, so a strong showing at Valhalla could see him make his debut in the biennial contest on home soil
Robert Karlsson
- After a dip in form in 2013, the Swede has re-found some of the golf that made him Europe’s Number One in 2008
- His last three European Tour performances have all yielded top 15 finishes (fourth in the Alstom Open de France, tied eighth in the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open and tied 12th in The 143rd Open Championship)
- Was tied fourth in the US PGA Championship as recent ago as 2011 so don't rule out Sweden finally getting a Major Champion
Graeme McDowell
- Enjoyed a wonderful July, having made a successful defence of his Alstom Open de France crown coupled with two further performances of tied ninth in The 143rd Open Championship and in the RBC Canadian Open and a tied eighth in the WGC – Bridgestone Invitational
- Another strong finish would solidify his place in the European Ryder Cup Team
- Aiming to be become the second Northern Irishman following Rory McIlroy to win the US PGA Championship and follow the 25 year old by it making back-to-back Northern Irish Major triumphs
- Gained two and a half points over the Valhalla Course on his Ryder Cup debut in 2008
- Has a best of tied 11th in the US PGA Championship back in 2012
Francesco Molinari
- Performed very well in The 143rd Open Championship, tying for 15th place
- Not been at his absolute best in 2014, however he has only missed two cuts this season
- Made the cut in each of his five visits to the US PGA Championship
- Currently 14th in The European Ryder Cup Points List, so a strong performance may well put him in contention for his third consecutive appearance
Charl Schwartzel
- A serious contender who is finding his early season form once again
- Produced his best finish in The 143rd Open Championship at Royal Liverpool with a tie for seventh and backed that up with a share of fourth at last week’s WGC – Bridgestone Invitational
- Has been in the top ten six times from his 12 European Tour events this season
- A former Major Champion so has the pedigree to go very close and become just the second South African following Gary Player (1962, 1972) to capture the Wanamaker Trophy
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