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US Open: Fantasy Expert Picks

Nothing bold in here, the players who can drive a mile tend to be successful

By Mark Abell
Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports

What: US Open
When: June 15th-18th
Where: Erin Hills
2016 Winner: Dustin Johnson (-4)
Purse: $12MM ($2.1MM to winner)

Course: Erin Hills -€” Established in 2006, this is a new course and will serve up some controversy coming in as a contemporary course in a very traditional sport. The course is 7,812 yards which makes it among the longest courses golfers will see. The fairways are generous but once you go into the tall fescue rough, you are in trouble. The 138 bunkers are also a nightmare being deeper and tougher to exit than a traditional trap. Drive distance will be vital here (and you will see a theme in my selections)

A Golfer.
Dustin Johnson. This course is all about the drives. The fairways being generous, I go with the guy who has the longest drive on the tour right now (not to mention the reigning US Open champion). First in FedEx ranking, first in OWGR, 1st in stokes gained off the tee, and 1st in strokes gained tee to green. 7 top 15 finishes prior to missing the cut at The Memorial Tournament.

B Golfers:
Justin Thomas. I'm going off the path with my 2nd pick here (sarcasm). He's 2nd in FedEx ranking and fresh off 3 top 25 finishes in his last 4 tournaments. What I like though is his driving game (10th in distance) as well as 8th in strokes gained tee to green.

Jason Kokrak. 11th in strokes gained off the tee, 14th in driving distance and 17th in going for the green. Distance will be his aid, the rest of his game will be his detriment.

C Golfer.
Jon Rahm. 12th in driving distance, 4th in FedEx cup ranking, 3rd in strokes gained off the tee and 2nd in strokes gained tee to green. Top 10 finishes in 7 of his last 11 tournaments.

Dark Horse:
Brooks Koepka. Currently 40th in strokes gained around the green, he can hit the ball a mile (5th in drive distance) I really think Brooks could be a top 10 finish down the stretch on Sunday.

Current Stats on picks so far this season:
A Golfers: Avg finish 42nd (32nd percentile)
B Golfers: Avg finish: 46th (35th percentile)
C Golfers: Avg finish: 52nd (39th percentile)
Sleepers: Avg finish 49th (37th percentile)
2017 average 132 golfers per tournament.