PGA Championship 2013: Full Expert Expectations for Golf's Underrated Stars

As the PGA Championship tees off on Thursday, there's sure to be plenty of buzz surrounding Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Rory McIlroy. 

They are, after all, golf's three biggest stars, and each has an interesting storyline heading into New York. Tiger will try to regain his form in Majors, "Lefty" will try to repeat his performance at "The Open," and McIlroy will attempt to put his struggles behind him. 

However, those aren't the only stars looking to add a major to their mantel. Henrik Stenson, Zach Johnson and Hunter Mahan will all attempt to top the field at Oak Hill Country Club. 

Here's what the experts from around the world of golf are saying about these underrated contenders' chances of capitalizing on the last opportunity to win a major in 2013. 

Henrik Stenson

Henrik Stenson isn't usually mentioned as one of golf's top stars, but he's certainly one of the hottest right now. His strong performances in The Open Championship and Bridgestone have him as a trendy pick to contend this week. 

You can count Golf Digest's Steve Hennessey (subscription required) among the many experts who believe Stenson has what it takes to win:

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It's tough to overlook Henrik Stenson when you're evaluating recent performance. Stenson's playing as well as anybody in the world. Finished runner-up to Mickelson at the British, then T-2 last week at Bridgestone. And don't forget—he's won The Players, what's one of golf's toughest tests. He's also SIXTH on tour in Driving Accuracy, which will definitely help at Oak Hill, where the rough is just brutal

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Mike Johnson of Golf World also thinks that Stenson is a strong contender in New York. His ability to remain accurate off the tee box and get to the greens with a chance to post good scores will play well on the course. 

While Stenson doesn't have a major just yet, these experts have a point. His game is tailor-made for the course, and he's really been playing well lately. There's a good chance his days of being an underrated star could be over by Sunday. 

Zach Johnson 

A few experts believe that a player will snap a majorless streak that stretches back to the late 2000s, but it isn't Tiger Woods. It's Zach Johnson, who captured his only major in the 2007 Masters. 

Johnson has played with incredible consistency of late and is a major factor in Bob Harig of ESPN's choice to back the 37-year-old:

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The 2007 Masters champ has played nicely of late, losing in a playoff at the John Deere Classic, tying for sixth at the Open Championship and posting another top-10 at Firestone. His game is in good shape, and if he can keep it in play at Oak Hill, why not?

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Six-time major winner Lee Trevino also likes Johnson's chances this week. He offered a bit more technical explanation for his predictions of a Johnson victory for Kathy Bissell of Bleacher Report:

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There's only one guy that plays like I play, and if you look at him, I actually picked him to win the British Open... Zach Johnson is a holder, he's a body hitter. He hits the ball extremely straight, and not a bad putter.

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Trevino should know a thing or two about what it takes to win the PGA Championship. He won the tournament in 1974 and '84. 

With both experts liking Johnson's ability to keep the ball in play, it appears that he might be a sneaky good pick to win the whole thing despite a general lack of fanfare. 

Hunter Mahan

Hunter Mahan made headlines in late July when he left the Canadian Open (with the lead) after two rounds to see the birth of his child.

Now a few experts believe that the 31-year-old will fly under the radar to contend for the championship this week. Steve Hennessey of Golf Digest likes his odds:

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Can't you just see the feel-good story of Hunter Mahan winning the PGA Championship? His wife was in labor, he withdraws from a tournament WITH THE LEAD! It's the stuff Hollywood writers would dream up. But it could realistically happen. He's played in back-to-back final pairings on Sunday at the last two majors. He really played great at Merion. I like Hunter a lot this week!

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While Jeff Rude of Golf Week believes it's simply Mahan's time wrapping up his choice with these words: "I believe in karma. On top of that, he has played in the final group at the last two majors. He's due."

Brentley Romine, also of Golf Week elaborated a bit more:

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The popular pick would be Tiger Woods, but he has yet to prove this season that he can win on a course he hasn't won on before. So I'll go with Hunter Mahan, who has finished in the top 10 in the past two majors and was leading before his withdrawal in Ontario. Now a father, Mahan has as good a shot as any at his first major title.

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Romine is right. Tiger Woods is once again the golfer who has dominated the headlines and predictions heading into this tournament. But as these expert picks indicate, it's really anyone's tournament to win at this point.