TSN Fantasy Golf expert picks - U.S. Open

It's U.S. Open week near Seattle and the USGA is putting on its toughest test at a colourful course, Chambers Bay.

It's also a tough test for players in the TSN Fantasy golf game.

With red numbers tough to come by at any U.S. Open, it's going to be a challenge for the world's best players and also tough fantasy picking for our crew of experts and Team Freedom members.

Check out their choices below for the second Major of the season and make your picks for U.S. Open here.

Bob Weeks, TSN Golf analyst

1. Rory McIlroy
He¹s No. 1 in the world for a reason and although he missed the cut in two Euro stops before this, he¹s only been out of the top 10 twice all year on the PGA Tour. He plays big on big stages and this is one of the biggest.

2. Jordan Spieth
This guy just never seems to have a bad round these days. He¹s also got a big advantage on the bag in that his caddie, Michael Greller, lives here, is a regular at Chambers Bay and knows this course as well as anyone.

3. Justin Rose
He won this tournament two years ago and has had a solid year including a runner-up finish at the Masters and a win in New Orleans. His game is as well-rounded as they come.

4. Dustin Johnson
If he can avoid a brain cramp hole as he has done at times in the past, this might finally be the week that DJ gets a Major. The calmer, more content person he is should help him in this tournament.
 
Dark Horse: JB Holmes

Length can be a huge advantage at this course and Holmes is about as long as they get. If his putter gets warm ¬ which has at times this year ¬ he might factor in to the top of the leaderboard on Sunday.

Jamie Reidel, TSN Golf producer

1. Jordan Spieth
Sure it may be cliché and a very popular pick but quite frankly he is one of the best players in the world. But I am not picking him because his lag putting is the best on tour, or that his iron play and short game are fantastic. I am picking him for experience, not Major championship experience but course experience. Yes he says he doesn't remember much from the 2010 U.S. Amateur at Chambers Bay, but his caddy Michael Greller certainly remembers this track. He was a caddy there from 2007-11 and while the course has changed, the site line advantage off the tee is something even Spieth admitted he will have.

2. Rory McIlroy
Not taking Rory is like not taking Tiger in his day. Rory's length and and his pinpoint accuracy off the tee absolutely suit this course. I put no significance in the fact that Rory missed the two cuts before he came here to Chambers Bay because Rory still does go through the ups and downs like that. He leads the tour in Strokes Gained Tee to Green, he's long off the tee and while he hasn't embraced the links game he still has the creativity to score on this tough layout.

3. Bubba Watson
The U.S. Open hasn't been Watson's strongest Major. Only one top-10 in eight starts, but again his premium on length and his aggressiveness I believe will help him on Chambers Bay. Mike Davis has said you will really have to think about what kind of shot you want to play to some of these fairways. Well Watson we know can work the ball either way and can work with the fairway contours to give him the optimum rollout. His creativity will only serve him well around these greens as well.

4. Jimmy Walker
While it seems like I am going the distance angle again, you are right. Walker hits the ball very well and long off the tee at almost 300 yards a drive, he also is one of the deadliest putters on tour. Especially from that 10-foot range where he makes more than 65 per cent. I realize the results entering the U.S. Open haven't been there, with his T-2 at the Byron Nelson his only good finish since he won the Valero Texas Open, but Walker is patient and will fight his way around an Open course just like Steve Stricker did with a putter that is the great equalizer.

Dark Horse: Adam Scott
Can a former No. 1 golfer in the world and a Major champion be a sleeper? My answer is yes! He has managed just a T-24 in his last seven starts. Scott has come into the US Open under the radar. But he does hit the ball very long off the tee and hits greens very well, sitting fourth on tour this year at just over 70 per cent. He also likes this style of course having played well in Open Championships in his career. His biggest asset might be having Steve Williams back on the bag. His pedigree is second to none as a caddy and might give Scott that spark he needs to get his season back on track.

#TeamFreedom Expert Picks

Matt Hill

1. Justin Rose
One of the hottest players on the planet as of late with a win at Zurich Classic, and nearly a win at the Memorial. He also played great at The Masters this year and knows what it takes to win the US Open as he did two years ago at Merion. I will be surprised if he did not contend this week.

2. Phil Mickelson
Mickelson's 65 last week at the St. Jude Classic gives him a lot of confidence coming into the U.S. Open where he is looking to complete his career grand slam. I like Phil this week as the course is very 'linksy' and will require a lot of imagination and a great short game to be in the mix.

3. Brooks Koepka
Koepka is also coming into the U.S. Open with a lot of confidence after a solid week at the St. Jude Classic where he led for a Majority of the tournament. He drives the ball well, which will be key to shoot low scores at Chambers Bay.

4. Paul Casey
Casey has had several great finishes as of late and has done everything except win. He drives the ball long, straight and has Major experience.

5. David Hearn
I have to go with this Canuck as a darkhorse. Hearn is driving the ball great this season and has a very stellar short game to compliment. I look forward to Hearn having a solid week at Chambers Bay.

6. Ben Martin
Ben Martin has been playing like an A-group player this year. He has a win and lipped out a putt to get in the playoff with Fowler and Kisner at the Players.  Martin is playing with confidence this year and has been making a ton of putts, which will be key this week.

Albin Choi

1. Rory Mcllroy
Never count out the No. 1 player in the world. With his length and great iron play I could see him running away at Chambers Bay.

2. Jordan Spieth
After his performance at The Masters this year he's gained a lot of confidence. No doubt he'll hover around the top of the leaderboard all week long.

3. Lee Westwood
With so many close calls in other Majors, who knows, this might be his year.

4. Angel Cabrera
A multiple Major winner who likes to shine on the big stage. Cabrera lives for the Majors and I wouldn't be surprised if he got the win this week.

5. Erik Compton
Compton had a great showing last year and has proven in the past that he can handle the tough conditions of the U.S. Open.

6. David Hearn
How can I not root for a Canadian player? Hearn has a very solid game - tee to green, and that can be the winning factor at Chambers Bay.

Adam Svensson

1. J.B. Holmes
J.B.'s length is an advantage every week he tees it up. He's already won once this year and I wouldn't be surprised if he broke out for his first Major at Chambers Bay.

2. Adam Scott
Adam is always a good pick at any Major Championship. If his putter gets hot this week, he'll definitely be in contention on Father's Day.

3. Brooks Koepka
With his solid finish last week at the St. Jude Classic last week, Brooks proved he's healthy again and playing some good golf. I think he rides the momentum for another good week at Chambers Bay.

4. Ian Poulter
Ian has the fire and competitiveness that is needed to win Majors which makes it surprising to me that he has not won one yet. This might be his week.

5. David Hearn
It was good to see David qualify for the U.S. Open. I'm not just picking him because he's Canadian, he always seems to play tough golf courses really well. Hope to see that Canadian flag on top of the leaderboard on Sunday.

6. Morgan Hoffmann
Morgan is a member at the same course I play in Florida, The Dye Preserve, so I have to go with him. All-around he's got a great game and there's no reason his first win can't be the U.S. Open.

Mackenzie Hughes

1. Phil Mickelson
A great short game and imagination are required around Chambers Bay, and he's one of the best in the game when it comes to both. He's coming off a strong week and is motivated to complete the career Grand Slam.

2. Jim Furyk
Furyk broke his winless streak earlier this year at the RBC Heritage and shows no signs of slowing down. A great game plan and course management will be key this week and Jim has made a Hall of Fame career doing just that.

3. Paul Casey
Casey is having a strong year so far, and the course conditions should set up well to him growing up in England.

4. Charley Hoffman
Not afraid of the big stage, Hoffman has shown well in the big events so far this year. Look for him to put four good rounds together and finish it off.

5. Cheng-Tsung Pan
An unfamiliar name to most, but Pan is no rookie. He has played in a couple U.S. Opens, and has fared quite well. Coming off a runner up at NCAAs; look for him to have a strong week in his pro debut.

6. Byeong-Hun An
Reached the semis of the U.S. Amatuer back in 2010 at Chambers Bay, so Byeong has plenty of good vibes and course knowledge. Having just won the BMW PGA over in Europe he is riding lots of momentum into this week.