The US Open is finally upon us. Originally scheduled in June we’ve had to wait a long three months for the event to finally take place. Rumor has it they haven’t cut the rough in those three months (no not really.) Winged Foot will however play extremely difficult if you cannot stay in the short grass. John Rahm was quoted earlier in the week “I don’t see any of us shooting under par. Or if we shoot under par, it would be someone winning by a lot”. That’s what we have instore for us this week. They are calling it “your fathers US open,” the last time the US Open was played at Winged Foot in 2006, Geoff Ogilvy captured the US Open trophy with a final score of +5. It’s going to take a mentally tough true grinder to pull out a win this week, and I for one cannot wait to feel better about my golf game as I watch all these guys struggle.
The Picks
Top 20
Harris English (+275). As I stated earlier, being mentally tough and avoiding a complete implosion will be key this weekend with the playing conditions. English is one of the best players in the world when it comes to digging himself out of trouble. 6th on tour in scrambling and 9th on scrambling from the rough. He has finished outside the top 23 just once in his last 9 tournaments and outside the top 20 twice. He’s in good form and has the ability to get himself out of trouble. +275 is a good number for a guy with those attributes.
Top 10
Tommy Fleetwood (+350). There might not be a guy who likes playing in the northeast more than Tommy Fleetwood. When he came back stateside after the break, he spent his quarantine on Long Island brushing up his game at Shinnecock. The same course in which he shot an astounded -7 on Sunday of the 2018 US open to finish one shot off the lead. There is something about Majors that seems to bring this guys game to the next level. With a second at the open championship last year to go with his runner up finish in 2018 I like him for a top 10 this week. I would consider taking him to win if he didn’t play overseas last week, and may have some jet lag/rust in the early rounds. He’s a candidate to place a wager on mid tournament if his game looks sharp early.
Top 5/Winner
Tony Finau (Top 5 +650, Winner +4000). I’ve been burned by Finau in the past, but he is just too good to lose faith in him. 11th on tour in tee to green makes me believe he should stay out of trouble. When he does get in trouble he is 51st in scrambling (no not a great number but good enough if he limits mistakes). Having placed top 5 in all 4 of the Major tournaments (Masters 2019, PGA 2020, US Open 2018, Open 2019) in his career the pressure clearly doesn’t get to him. The resume is too good to pass up the talent at +4000.
Xander Schauffele (Top 5 +350, Winner +1500) This guy loves Majors. Much like Finau he has success at all 4 events without capturing a victory. He has played in 12 Majors in his career and has accumulated 6 top tens and 4 top 5s. His favorite out of those tournaments? The US Open where he has finished no worse than 6th in his short career (3 tournaments). The US Open is traditionally a very difficult setup. When you look at his numbers it’s easy to see why he has success. 7th on tour tee to green and 2nd in scrambling. It’s hard to beat a guy who doesn’t get in trouble, and can get out of it when he’s there. Last time out he won the 72 score at the Tour championship and I think he keeps rolling this week and finally gets that illusive Major.
Listen to the full PGA breakdown as well as all our football picks for the weekend on this week’s podcast. And follow us on twitter for in tournament picks throughout the weekend.
