Give’em the heater, Rickie. US Open picks on the record.

June 14, 2017 Filler

US OPEN PREVIEW

I have to write an NBA FOCUSED article for my other website, Rotoden (goes live on Sunday), VERY soon and in the next few days (by Saturday COB in case you care), but first things first. As most of you who know me realize, I pretty much shut down my life for the four golf Majors. I will try not and sink into my couch over the weekend, as I will watch every single minute for about 7 hours each day. Probably play 9 holes in the morning to get in the mood. So, let me give you my preview of what you will see…in my opinion of course.

By the way, Steve (Lindsey’s dad), I have been VERY well behaved over the last three years, setting me up for a no show THIS weekend…enjoy your day, father in law.

The Course:

Erin Hills. Think the personality of Bethpage with the layout of Chambers Bay. Bethpage was a public course transformed into a masterpiece that we all could relate to. Chambers Bay brought the U.S. pseudo links setup as opposed to the typical narrow and manicured layout. This course was designed to be affected by wind, so if it doesn’t bring the wind, we will get some low scores. And all of this complaining about the course’s rough will be docile since all of these guys pretty much can hit the very wide fairways it will have (why do golfers complain by the way-you play the SAME course). Putting will be important as always at an Open, but distance control will be more important. And this course plays almost 7800 in length, so longer hitters will have a slight advantage (like DJ needs any more advantage laid out to him). This course is right outside Milwaukee, and there are a few players who know it well, and more who have NO idea about anything about it. Should be fun and a good test. Lower scores for those people who HATE the fact that everyone is over par (I personally LOVE those but that is neither here nor there).

The Players:

Let me tell you what the top 10 will do:

DJ: Hmmm. Course is longer than normal for a US Open, so longer driving will benefit. Shot making is key to stay out of long rough. Above average putting. Ability to play in wind. Yeah. DJ will do just fine-lock for a top 10 finish at least, and defending champion can definitely win it. I tried to not put him on my team, but failed. Just too much sense.

Rory: He has all the tools. I personally don’t think the guy plays well in wind. I think all the joking he made about how all of these players will avoid the long rough..means he ends up in it once or twice. I like him to barely make the cut and make a top 40 finish. He hates links courses, complains a lot, and will NOT win this one. Sucker bet, folks. I won’t him on my main team OR any of my DraftKings teams.

Day: He has all of the weapons and knows this course most importantly. He has been quietly playing well, even with dealing his family trouble. Picking him anywhere but the top 10 would be off. This could be his 2017 coming out party. But, I like Spieth and DJ better and only have two people room on my team, so no dice. I will take him on my final don’t care team.

Hideki: For no reason, I just feel like Hideki will win the PGA Championship or The Masters…not this one. You feel the way you feel on him. I am not on board.

Spieth: This sets up perfectly for a win. Been a little bit losing for the guy. All the shots, and he will play pseudo links courses well always. Plus, this is the only guy on course who could shoot a triple bogey and retaliate with an eagle the very next hole after.

Henrik: Foreign guy playing a U.S. attempt at links course. Always lurking. I am just not feeling him taking care of business on this course. No real definitive reason. I feel like he is a one trick pony, and that trick is GONE. Just like the others better.

Sergio: Why not? His game fits this course perfectly, he is happy in life, his backswing doesn’t take 45 seconds, and now a Major winner. Why is he not more of a favorite? Putting is not a strength, but getting it there IS. Monkey is off his back. He might be the most relaxed player in the field this week.

Noren: Dude is just a 34 year old playing really well in last year. Not buying the late bloomer Major winner thing here. Everyone’s underdog pick misses the cut.

Rickie: Give’em the heater, Rickie. This is your time. You play well in wind, have all of the shots, and are tired of being on that list of best to never win one. You or Rose, buddy, as long as you can fend off Spieth and DJ. Seriously, he has no problem with wind, and that will help this weekend.

Rahm: He is 22 freaking years old and will not only get his shot but probably multiple shots. Yes, this longer course sets up well with him, but most people don’t break in at the US Open. He will be top 15, but not in final contention. Learning event.

BONUS: Justin Rose. I feel like this could be your winner at #11 in the world. JUST out of The Masters mix and already a Major winner. He will want this one badly. Him or Rickie.

GUYS WHO HAVE ALL THE TOOLS WHO ARE ON MANY OF MY DRAFTKINGS SQUADS EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE EITHER OLD OR SHORT HITTING:

Matt Kuchar

Lee Westwood

RANDOM GUYS WHO HAVE ALL THE SKILLS BUT WILL BE THE BEST ON JUST ONE OF THE DAYS BUT THAT IS ALL OR LOSE THEIR TEMPER:

Patrick Reed

Branden Grace

Billy Horschel

Shane Lowry

Charley Hoffman

GUYS WHO HAVE ALL THE TOOLS BUT WILL LOSE AGAIN:

Kevin Kisner

Jimmy Walker

GUYS WITH A MAJOR WHO WILL MAKE A RUN AND SCARE EVERYONE AND THEN GO AWAY:

Charl Schwartzel

Louis Oosthuizen

GUYS WHO SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE GROUP ABOVE BUT THEN WE REMEMBER HE HASN’T WON ONE YET:

Brandt Snedeker

GUYS EVERYONE WILL BE ROOTING FOR:

Steve Stricker (went through all of sectional qualifying to be there) Damn right, he will be on one of my DraftKings teams.

Jordan Niebrugge (Wisconsin kid through and through who went to Oklahoma State)

GUYS ONLY ME AND LINDSEY WILL BE ROOTING FOR:

Jamie Lovemark

GUYS WE ALL FORGOT ABOUT WHO COULD WIN IT ALL:

Hideki

Jason Dufner (on my final DraftKings squad and this course is PERFECT for the seemingly always high golfer)

That’s it. Good luck, everyone. I have to go finish my DraftKings picks. Will I blog this weekend? That is a CLOWN question, bro. Peace.

Oh, final picks? Sorry. Officially submitted. In order. Fowler, Rose, Spieth, Scott, DJ.

Or, who I really want in my perfect world? Fowler, Westwood, Kuchar, Lovemark, Westwood (again). Then Fowler (again without a mustache…like John Cougar and John Cougar Mellencamp and John Mellencamp all did it). Got it???? Who is going to Panic with me next week????