US Open: Expert Picks

Tournament Information

US Open

Date: June 14-17

Course: Shinnecock Hills Golf Club

Purse: $12MM ($2.2MM to the winner)

FedEx points: 600 to the winner

2017 Winner: Brooks Koekpa (-16)

Course: Shinnecock Hills Golf Club with a course and club house from the 1890’s, Shinnecock is full of history. Designed by Willie Davis as a 12 hole course in 1891 (where Willie Dunn later joined in 1894 to design the last 6 holes), this course is now a 7,445 yard par 70 with a course rating of 74.4 and a slope rating of 140. Many trees were removed so the vast land will have wind coming across it, look for some powerful shots to work their way through the moving air. It is a long course and has a few greens elevated to add to the challenge. The rolling hills mixed with fairway narrowing and stopping make it necessary to be tactful with each shot.

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Starting 6 because the field is so talented and deep this year (and one dark horse)

Rickie Fowler (4^th selection this year). I’m calling it now – Rickie wins the 2018 US Open to cap off a great month. No more finishes on the fringe. To recap his last 17 majors: 2018 Masters (2^nd), 2017 PGA Championship (5^th), 2017 Open Championship (22^nd), 2017 US Open (5^th), 2017 Masters (11^th), 2016 PGA Championship (33^rd), 2016 Open Championship (46^th), 2016 US Open (MC), 2016 Masters (MC), 2015 PGA Championship (30^th), 2015 Open Championship (30^th), 2015 US Open (MC), 2015 Masters (12^th), 2014 PGA Championship (3^rd), 2014 Open Championship (2^nd), 2014 US Open (2^nd), 2014 Masters (5^th).

Brooks Koepka (2^nd selection this year). The reigning US Open champ is in full swing with to top 12 finishes in his last three tournaments. He can straight up drive the ball a mile.

Phil Mickelson (5th selection this year). Do you know who was the runner up the last time this event was here in 2004? That’s right, perhaps this is his shining moment to win the coveted tournament?

Jon Rahm (2^nd selection this year). I’ve been holding back on Jon through much of the start of the year but now is his time to shine. He finished fifth at the Fort Worth Invitational, 63^rd at the Players CHAMPIONSHIP, first the the Spanish Open and 4^th at the Masters.

Patrick Reed (2^nd selection this year). Hard not to pick a golfer who has top ten finishes in six of his last ten starts. He finished 41^st at the Players CHAMPIONSHIP, won the Masters and he is 17^thin total strokes gained.

Patrick Cantlay (3^rd selection this year). With three top ten finishes in his last six tournaments, he is ready to shine. He finished fourth at the Memorial Tournament and he took a week to regroup before the US Open, 18^th in total strokes gained, 11^th in strokes gained tee to green.

Dark Horse

Paul Casey. (3^rd selections this year) No one is saying much about Casey who has been out since early May with a back injury. Paul has one missed cut as his only blemish in a remarkable 2018 campaign that boasts seven top 15 finishes across 11 starts.

2018 Stats (avg field of 131 golfers):

Starting 4: Average Finish 45th (34th percentile)

Bench 2: Average Finish 46th (35th percentile)

Missed cuts: average of 1.5 per tournament