U.S. Senior Open: Players to watch

Some of the best golfers on the planet are coming to the US Senior Open at Del Paso Country Club June 22-28, 2015. As Butch Cassidy said to the Sundance Kid in the 1969 film: “Who are those guys?” Sacramento Bee golf writer Steve Pajak offers his take on five players in each of the following categories:

5 under-the-radar contenders

▪ Marco Dawson: He’s hitting his stride after not winning in 413 career PGA Tour starts.

▪ Joe Durant: He’s third in Schwab Cup points and one of the most accurate drivers ever.

▪ Lee Janzen: The two-time U.S. Open winner has pedigree and new over-50 positive outlook.

▪ Tom Pernice Jr.: At a physically fit 55, he seems to be getting better, not older.

▪ Gene Sauers: The playoff loser last year in Oklahoma is due for a breakthrough.

5 certain to keep you entertained

▪ Woody Austin: He’s self-deprecating, accountable and demonstrative – a golf fan’s dream.

▪ Fred Funk: His body English when he putts is worth the price of admission.

▪ Paul Goydos: He has the game to win a Senior Open – and he has the wit of a talk-show host.

▪ Craig Stadler: In his 60s, the fire doesn’t burn as bright as it used to. Still ...

▪ Esteban Toledo: Look for the former boxer to give 1-2 air punch after he drains a key putt.

5 major players in their day, if not today

▪ Mark Calcavecchia: He rode power fade to 13 PGA Tour wins and 1989 British Open title.

▪ Fred Couples: You’ll know he’s headed your way when the crowd skews heavily female.

▪ Hale Irwin: The career leader in Champions Tour wins (45) and earnings is 70.

▪ Tom Kite: He counts the 1992 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach among his 19 PGA Tour wins.

▪ Tom Watson: Eight-time major winner might be most likely to defy his age (65).

5 with Northern California connections

▪ Terry Foreman: The amateur from Brentwood is playing in his first Senior Open.

▪ Randy Haag: The amateur from Burlingame is four-time NCGA player of the year and all-time points leader.

▪ Jim Knoll: The amateur from Sunnyvale is playing in his third Senior Open.

▪ Bob Niger: The El Dorado Hills pro has qualified for 16 Champions Tour events in five years.

▪ Jeff Wilson: The amateur from Fairfield has qualified for the past three Senior Opens.

5 of the nicest guys you’ll ever ...

▪ Michael Allen: He blossomed as a senior tour player and appreciates every minute of it.

▪ Peter Jacobsen: Colorful and engaging, his likeability quotient is off the charts.

▪ Tom Lehman: He’s as grounded as they come for being as accomplished as he is.

▪ Rocco Mediate: He’s always talking, always laughing, always playing highly competitive golf.

▪ Loren Roberts: He donated $35,000 in 2009 to save nine Elk Grove district golf programs.

5 most likely to hold the trophy

▪ Miguel Angel Jimenez: At No. 47 in world, he’s by far the highest-ranked player in the field.

▪ Bernhard Langer: He has been the dominant over-50 player in the world for the past seven years.

Colin Montgomerie: The defending champion has become a major force on the Champions Tour.

Kenny Perry: Del Paso suits great players, especially long hitters who like to draw the ball.

Vijay Singh: At 52, he’s still slugging it out and competitive most weeks on the PGA Tour.

This story was originally published June 20, 2015 at 5:00 AM with the headline "U.S. Senior Open: Players to watch."