Weeksy’s Picks: U.S. Open Edition

Bob Weeks

TSN Senior Reporter

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Seven players to watch this week at the 116th U.S. Open

1. Jason Day
The U.S. Open is the most demanding test in golf, perhaps more punishing mentally than physically, and no golfer has a stronger mind than Day. Add in that he leads the Tour in Strokes Gained: Putting and he’s an obvious pick (all right, I know picking the No. 1 player in the world is already obvious).

2. Patrick Reed
Reed led this tournament after 36 holes last year but wasn’t able to finish things off. Although he hasn’t won this year, he has two runner-up performances and leads the Tour in top-10 finishes with nine. Reed is not the most popular guy on the Tour, but you don’t have to like him to pick him in your pool.

3. Matt Kuchar
The guy who kills it in those Sketcher ads and is one of the funniest guys out here is a great pick this week. He’s Mr. Consistent (and also Mr. Smiley) on the Tour, with top-10 finishes in five of his last six starts. Consistent at a U.S. Open is always good. If he hits fairways and greens like he usually does, expect him to be around on Sunday.

4. Rory McIlroy
It’s a bit of a drastic move to switch your putting grip a few weeks before a major, but McIlroy did that prior to the Memorial and enjoyed his best putting performance of the season. He has plenty of length to handle Oakmont and is one of the best golfers with his long irons, meaning he should be able to hits lots of greens. If that putter holds up, he could get a second U.S. Open title.

5. Phil Mickelson
How many more chances will Phil get at this event? He turns 46 on Thursday and so this could quite easily be it. If it is, he comes in on a high. He leads the PGA Tour in Scoring Average and is ranked third in putting. The only question will be if he overthinks his game plan (see: Drivers, Two; circa 2007; also Drivers, None; circa 2008).

6. Dustin Johnson
He’s knocked on the door so often. At some point all that talent is just going to bust through. DJ hasn’t won yet this year – surprising since he has a victory in each of his last eight seasons – but he does have eight top-10s in 13 starts. And while we all know about his driving (he’s third in Strokes Gained: Off The Tee), he has the third best putting average on the PGA Tour this season.

7. Sergio Garcia
The last time the U.S. Open was at Oakmont, of the top 10 finishers, seven were in the top 10 in Greens in Regulation. This year, Sergio is No. 1 in Greens in Regulation on the PGA Tour. He’s also coming off a win at the Byron Nelson which has boosted his confidence. The only question mark will be his putter which has made guest appearances throughout the season.