U.S. Open Odds 2012: 5 Dark-Horse Contenders Destined to Be Household Names

We've heard of them before—maybe they've won a tournament or two, maybe they've even had a highlight on ESPN or the local television sports station.

Either way, it's now time for them to rise above and capture the hearts of golfers.

These players could win the U.S. Open this weekend and become household names.

If they can do it at the Olympic Club, their names will forever be etched in golf's major tournament lore.

Robert Garrigus

I just like saying his last name.

Garrigus had his last win in 2010 when he won the Children's Miracle Network Classic. It was also his only win on the tour.

If someone needs another win in his bag, it's Garrigus.

He tied for third in the U.S. Open last year, proving he can hang around with the big boys and even challenge for a major title.

The question is, will he simply challenge or will he come through and earn his second win in his career on one of golf's major stages?

Carl Pettersson

He is one of Sweden's most successful players on the tour.

Pettersson showed what he was made of this year when he won the RBC Heritage in South Carolina by five strokes over Zach Johnson.

Could he come out and dominate the Olympic Club course as well?

In 2008, he tied for sixth in the U.S. Open, but did not play last year or the year before.

If you are looking for a foreigner to surprise us all and take his first major, Pettersson is as good a bet as anyone in the field.

Aaron Baddeley

The American-Australian golfer was ninth at The Memorial.

With his 13th place showing in 2007 being his best finish at the tournament, would you like to see him do better?

Baddeley is one of those guys who is in the upper-tier on most weekends, and has an occasional place on the leaderboard going into the final round.

I'd like to see him come out hot and stick around the top and make a charge come Sunday.

Jonathan Byrd

He tied for sixth at The Memorial.

Forget about the hot pink pants and concentrate on the golfer—could this be Byrd's title?

Five wins on the PGA tour and one on the Nationwide Tour show this guy knows how to get it done. His best finish in the US Open was in 2003 when he tied for 13th.

There is work to be done, but if you want a player who is "due" for a win, maybe he is the guy to follow this weekend.

Charles Howell III

A few years ago, I thought Howell would be the next big thing.

I was admittedly wrong.

The 32-year-old from Augusta, GA has two tour wins in his career. Pundits thought he would be challenging the older guard by now.

They were wrong as well.

Could a win in San Francisco help his game? Sure. Could a major title help him get back toward the pack as a contender every week and in major tournaments?

You bet it could.