Top 100 players to watch in 2012: No. 99 Kris Blanks

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In many ways, 2011 was a banner year for Kris Blanks with career-highs in money earned (65th), cuts made (17) and top-25s (seven). The best of those came at the RBC Canadian Open, where Blanks led after the first round before ultimately losing to Sean O'Hair in a playoff.

Runner-up at Canadian Open Makes putt at Shriners Shot of the Day: Canadian Open, Round 1

Despite that loss, Blanks' future looks solid. After a rookie year in 2009 in which he registered just one top-10 and missed the cut in 11 of 20 starts, he responded with three top-10s and at least $1.1 million in earnings each of the last two seasons.

Part of the reason for that success can be attributed to moving from the Washington D.C. area to Jupiter, Fla., where he can now practice year round and get a game with any number of fellow players who have flocked to the area.

"In D.C., the weather is not conducive to practicing," Blanks said. "It seemed silly to be in an area where couldn't practice year-round. Having courses you can play year-round [in Jupiter] and some of the best facilities is awesome.

"I can't tell you how many rounds I played by myself up in the D.C. area. You get bored by the 12th or 13th hole and lose focus on what you're doing. It was the best decision we ever made."

As a result, Blanks may be on the verge of the best season he's ever had, at least if he can carry the momentum had at the end of 2011, when he closed with three straight top 11 finishes, into 2012.

Three past winners on the PGA TOUR offer their exclusive evaluation of Blanks for PGATOUR.COM.

Kris has been very, very consistent this year. He almost got his first win in Canada and I'm sure that was a good learning experience. He's a good all-around player with no real faults.

He's a fun guy with phenomenal ball-striking ability.

He had a solid year in 2011, finishing 65th on the money list, Kris's year included a playoff loss to Sean O'Hair at the RBC Canadian Open. He finished the season with three straight top-11s, which will give Kris a great deal of confidence heading into the 2012 campaign.

For more on DiMarco, Oberholser and Perks, click here

Strong second half of 2011 fulfilled the overall expectation. Earned a career-high $1.35 million in third consecutive year on TOUR. Has shown a propensity to miss cuts (36 in 79 career starts) but plays a full schedule to offset zero-dollar weeks. Turned 39 in November yet seems comfortable as a late bloomer. A solid complement on any roster.

Overall

2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 80th 71st - - - 65th 82nd 170th - - 166th 255th 442nd 295th 673rd

Key Statistics

Category 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 Driving Distance 139th T110th T65th - - Driving Accuracy 76th 51st 57th - - Greens in Regulation 20th 8th 70th - - Strokes Gained-Putting 168th 177th 148th - - Sand Saves 136th 174th T173rd - -

Category Average Rank on PGA TOUR Scoring Average (adjusted) 70.95 T108th Scoring Average (actual) 70.65 T67th Round 1 70.31 T35th Round 2 71.17 T122nd Round 3 70.47 T90th Round 4 70.63 T69th Final round 70.53 T60th Front nine 35.14 T51st Back nine 35.51 T85th Par 3 holes 3.05 T55th Par 4 holes 4.03 T48th Par 5 holes 4.69 T100th