Top Sleepers To Watch

Our bold list of 10 lesser-known PGA Tour players we expect big things from in 2012

By Alex Myers

Follow on Twitter: @AlexMyers3

January 2012

Webb Simpson was a solid pro entering the 2011 season, but who could have seen his spectacular campaign coming? Even more unlikely was the major breakthrough of two-time winner and PGA champion Keegan Bradley in his rookie season. Who will surprise on the PGA Tour this year? First, let's start with our criteria for being a "sleeper." The player cannot have won before on the PGA Tour and he must have finished outside the top 50 on last year's money list. Using that as a guideline, here are 10 true sleepers we think have the potential to do big things in 2012.

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Jamie Lovemark

2011 was a rough rookie season for the former college star at USC and youngest winner of the money title in Nationwide Tour history. He played poorly before a back injury cut his year short. Since he didn't make 10 starts, he regains his rookie status this year on a major medical exemption, but will have to make $633,473 (the amount that when added to his earnings last year would put him in the top 125 on the PGA Tour's 2011 money list) in 16 starts this year to keep his card. If he doesn't, well, he could wind up on this list next year for a third-straight time...

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