Humana Challenge Golf Tips: Kyle Stanley

Kyle Stanley made a big impact in his first full season on the PGA Tour and looks a player to follow in 2012. He finished last year ranked 34th in the FedEx Cup and went close to victory in the John Deere Classic before Steve Sticker pulled off a miracle up and down from a bunker on the 18th hole.

Nevertheless, Stanley went straight into my notebook that day. There was a period on the back nine when his putter got so hot; it looked like he would never miss a putt again. It is that kind of streak that could put him in contention at the Humana Challenge, a tournament that traditionally generates season low rounds.

Overall the statistics speak in Stanley’s favour. In 2011, he ranked 4th on tour for driving distance, 32nd for birdie average and 17th for scoring average. He has the ability to make a bundle of birdies and shoot a low score.

Last week he warmed up nicely with a T23 at the Sony Open in Hawaii. The course didn’t suit his big hitting style of golf and it was a creditable finish in the circumstances.

One of the most promising youngsters on the PGA Tour I expect him to break his duck sooner rather than later. At 66/1 (Coral) he makes a good each-way bet with ¼ odds for a top five finish.