I could not see the first for the trees!

The strength of field in professional golf continues to grow. Each year a new player appears to separate themselves from the pack in a flash of brilliance. Last year two players seemed to take the golfing world by storm. These players would not have been chosen prior to the start of the season, but at the end of 2014, they we standing beside the world’s best as players to beat.

These two dark horses are now household names, but only time will tell if they will remain in the spotlight. Jimmy Walker and Billy Horschel proved that at any time, anyone can emerge from the forest.

The focus on the world’s best often overshadows players who continuously compete to be crowned champion of a professional golfing tournament. The ability to compete day in and day out with the best golf has to offer is a goal of all golfers. It is not ego, but desire. And for those who follow sports, you will immediately understand the difference!

So this year, while the golfing world focuses on Rory McIlroy, the possible return of Tiger Woods, and the stellar play of players like Justin Rose, Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler and Sergio Garcia, one or two players will pop out of the shadows. They will be considered rising stars and will create the media hype normally reserved for the elite players of golf.

As the season slowly unfolds, I thought it would be interesting to predict my dark horses of 2015 and hopefully hear who you would choose as a player to beat. My intent is to write them down and compare our crystal ball gazing later in the season.

My dark horse for 2015 is Graham DeLaet. He is slowly making his way back from injury a few ago and is poised to break through to the top of the golfing world!

I am laying down the gauntlet! Who is your dark horse of 2015?

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!