Expert picks: The 115th U.S. Open Championship
It’s time to go on record. On the eve of the 2015 U.S. Open, we know as much as we will about host Chambers Bay and the 156 players vying for the year’s second major championship. So, who’s going to win this thing on Sunday? Well, here’s what we think:
Pat Forde: Dustin Johnson – Horses for courses, and Johnson could American Pharoah the field if he continues his excellent bounce-back season at Chambers Bay. His length should be rewarded at this marathon track. If he can negotiate the tricky greens – and avoid grounding his club in a hazard at a crucially inopportune time – Johnson will be in the mix and could emerge with his first major championship by late Sunday.
Ryan Ballengee: Jordan Spieth – Stick with what works, right? He was my pick at the Masters and he’s still the man to beat this week. Spieth has a top-notch short game, but his calling card is putting, which will be the biggest issue the players face this week. If Spieth can deal with the pressure, his game will carry him a long way this week.
Jay Busbee: Justin Rose – Though the rock-hard fairways and glass-slick greens make Chambers Bay a better fit for the Chicago Blackhawks than the PGA Tour’s best, I’m still going to roll with Justin Rose. He’s already got one of these – albeit at Merion in 2013, a course which is a virtual photo-negative of this one – and so we know he can handle the pressure. He’s also on something of a run, having tied for second at Augusta, won in New Orleans and lost in a playoff at the Memorial in the last few weeks. Plus, he’s used to all this links business, being from the other side of the pond and all.
Jay Hart: Jim Furyk – Not as sexy a pick as Spieth or Rory or Phil, but here’s the thing about Furyk: More often than not, he’ll drive it (long enough) down the middle of the fairway and he’ll knock it on the green in regulation. The only question is his short game, namely his putting. If he knocks ’em down, he’ll be in contention come Sunday night.
Who do you like this week? Tell us on Twitter @devilballgolf.
Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.
