Well it’s finally time. Time to set aside all the talk and finally tee it up at Merion Golf Club for the 113th edition of the U.S. Open. We are about 34 hours from the first tee-times and I couldn’t be more excited. The U.S. Open is my favorite golf tournament played each year. Starting with Golf’s Longest Day, the hype has been building-and-building for over a week now. It’s time to play some golf!
Here is my Foursome of Favorites for the U.S. Open.
Tiger Woods
Shocking right? I really did contemplate on whether to include Tiger or not. But after about two minutes of thought I decided I would be stupid not include him. The pressure is so huge for Tiger Woods right now. It’s been five years since he won his last major at Torrey Pines. Since then, well we all know what has happened. I think he breaks through this week and starts the summer push with his fifth win of 2013 and more importantly his 15th major championship.
Justin Rose
Total driving combined with lots of greens in regulation plus a lot of birdies equals Justin Rose. He ranks in the top 15 on the PGA in all three of those categories. He is ranked #5 in the World Golf Rankings. Justin Rose is overdue and the talk about the best-player-to-never-win-a-major will ramp up over the next couple years if he doesn’t get it done soon, if he’s not already at the top of the list…
Graeme McDowell
I think you can make a serious argument on whether Graeme McDowell is the best grinder in professional golf. Merion Golf Club is going to be a grind this weekend and this guy has played great in U.S. Open’s over the last few years, including a memorable win at Pebble Beach in 2010. Expect McDowell to be right there by Sunday and don’t be surprised if he’s hoisting the trophy again.
Jordan Spieth
Wait. Who? Yes you read that right. Jordan Spieth. He is playing great golf this year and has carded four top-10’s this year on the PGA Tour. He made the cut last year in San Francisco at Olympic Country Club as an amateur. Sure he’s a dark horse but he’s also a 19-year old-dude who spits confidence and is one of the new breed of players who just doesn’t give a damn what is in front of him. I walked with Jordan for one day while volunteering at the Valero Texas Open and I liked his play. Maybe the pressure will get to him as a professional, or maybe he will be near the top of the leaderboard on Sunday.
What do you think? Do you have your favorites? Let me know on Twitter @Front9Back9 or share your thoughts below.
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