The four-time PGA Tour winner who is being tipped as a real ‘dark horse’ to win a major in 2025

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Golf Channel pundit Smylie Kaufman has been making predictions as the 2025 PGA Tour season gets underway at The Sentry.

After a four-month hiatus, the world’s best players will consistently be back in action right through until the Ryder Cup in September.

It promises to be an entertaining nine months, with world number one Scottie Scheffler the man to beat once more. Many believe the 28-year-old will continue to dominate in 2025.

Kaufman has tried to be inventive with his picks, however.

Smylie Kaufman tips major championship ‘dark horse’ in 2025

Ahead of the major championship stretch getting underway in April, Kaufman has backed Justin Thomas to win his third major and also tipped Rory McIlroy to win the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow.

As is always the case, dark horses will emerge at the year’s four most important events and the Golf Channel broadcaster believes USA President Cup star Russell Henley could be set for a major breakthrough.

Charlie Hume, Kaufman’s co-host on the Smylie Show, asked: “A major dark horse that you can see finding their way into contention, anyone off the top of your head there?”

Kaufman replied: “I have two names written down. Two names that have similar profiles and play the game similarly. Russell Henley is one, if you look at his results, he continues to improve and I thought what he did at the Presidents Cup he made it look easy. Russell played incredible, hits it straight.

“His profile matches up at the Open and US Open. I think the Masters is a little difficult and Quail to, just how long it is. The other name is Matt Fitzpatrick, he definitely had a tough year last year. He’s won the US Open before and we know what type of competitor he is. He’s not going to leave any stone unturned. He’s won plenty of times around the world. Fitzpatrick is a guy that won’t be talked about much but is definitely capable of winning another major.”

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How did Russell Henley play on the PGA Tour in 2024?

Henley is a player who quietly goes about his business whilst regularly competing against the game’s best players.

After finishing T10 at the Wells Fargo Championship, Henley finised inside the top seven at the US Open and fifth at the Open Championship.

Heading into the FedEx Cup playoffs, the 35-year-old’s form remained consistent. Henley ended his season on a high with a fourth place finish at the Tour Championship.

As Kaufman mentions, the harder courses, where precision is rewarded, could suit Henley in 2025. That being said, after his T10 finish at Quail Hollow, Henley could be set to threaten when the PGA Championship returns to Charlotte in May.