Insider: Six players who could be the next Toms

text size

Cohen/Getty Images

Brett Wetterich's once-promising career has been derailed by injuries, but the former Ryder Cup player is mounting a comeback.

Nearly everyone enjoys a good surprise. That's why we spend time to wrap presents at Christmas and hide them under a tree. That's why we collect money to buy a co-worker a present when they're getting married or having a baby. That's why we're willing to hide in a darkened room and scream "surprise" when the light switch is flipped. It's why we love roller coasters, horror movies and election nights.

We enjoy surprises on the PGA TOUR, too. That's why the performance of David Toms has been so nice the last two weeks. After going Houdini and disappearing for a few years because of assorted physical problems, Toms resurfaced as a contender at The PLAYERS and came back to win last week at the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial. Nearly everyone agreed that it was good to see the likeable Toms win again. We can also agree that it was a surprise.

Toms isn't in the field this week at the HP Byron Nelson; he's taking a well-deserved week off. But that doesn't mean there aren't candidates in the field this week at TPC Four Seasons who can provide a surprise factor. Here are six guys who could be this week's version of David Toms.

HP BYRON NELSON

Round 1 Tee Times
Inside the Field
Inside the Course
Power Rankings
Fantasy Insider
Expert Picks
Sleeper Picks
Choose Sides
Featured Group

• Vijay Singh: Hard to believe that he hasn't won since the 2008 Deutsche Bank Championship, the year he won the FedExCup. He's had difficultly fully recovering from that 2009 knee surgery and has now played in 61 events without tasting a win. He's definitely showed signs of his old self, finishing second at the Northern Trust Open at Riviera, tying for third in at the WM Phoenix and, most recently, tying for ninth at the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow. Despite missing the cut in his last two starts, Singh appears to be close. Whatever happens, it won't be for the lack of work on his part.

• Brian Davis: The Brit has now started 206 events without a victory, but he's had at least one runner-up finish each of the last four years. This year hasn't been great; he's without a top-10 finish. But he played well at Quail Hollow and tied for 26th at THE PLAYERS. Davis has a history of success in Dallas; he was second in 2009 and tied for eighth in 2006. But he's missed the cut the other three times.

• Chad Campbell: He's carried the burden of high expectations since winning The TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola in 2003. He hasn't won since 2007, surprising given his ball-striking ability. A little more luck with the putter may be all Campbell needs to get back to the top tier. He currently ranks fourth in greens in regulation and ranks 45th in scoring average. The Texan would enjoy completing his resurgence in Dallas this week, but it won't be easy; since tying for 13th at the HP Byron Nelson in 2007, Campbell has missed the cut three consecutive years.

• Brett Wetterich: Like Toms, Wetterich was a member of the 2006 U.S. Ryder Cup team who has been beset by shoulder and wrist problems. It's taken Wetterich more time to climb back into contention, something that's been an ongoing process. Because of his limited status, he's had to split time between the PGA TOUR and the Nationwide Tour. He tied for 13th at the Mayakoba Golf Classic, his best effort in four PGA TOUR events, and won the Chitmacha Louisiana Open on the Nationwide Tour, where he's finished outside the top 15 only once in four starts. A victory at the HP Byron Nelson by the 2006 champion would punctuate his comeback.

Henry

• J.J. Henry: Another member of the 2006 Ryder Cup team, Henry hasn't won since the 2006 Buick Championship. Although he's been a consistent player all season, his weekend work hasn't been good enough to thrust him into contention. The exception was a 69-66 at Riviera, where he tied for ninth. He's made the cut the last seven years in Dallas, with one top-10 and a pair of T-13s.

• Sergio Garcia: He's gone without a victory since the 2008 PLAYERS, but has shown signs of breaking out. He's played six events, made the cut each time, and logged four top-25s. He's been in contention a few times and his final-round 65 at TPC Sawgrass (although he wasn't really in the mix) was a thing of beauty. Two of Garcia's seven wins have come in Texas, including the 2004 Byron Nelson Championship. Plus, a win would be an homage to his late countryman, Seve Ballesteros.

Will there be another surprise this week in Dallas? It's happened with some regularity there -- Ted Purdy, Robert Damron, Wetterich and defending champion Jason Day all won in their first attempt. Just make sure you're standing by the door and ready to shout "surprise."

Stan Awtrey is a freelance columnist for PGATOUR.COM. His views do not necessarily reflect the views of the PGA TOUR.