The Dormie returns for our National Championship

2017 Champ (at Erin Hills): Brooks Koepka (via)

Shinnecock Hills Golf Club: Par 70, Yardage: 7,445 yards

Hosting its fifth US Open, Shinnecock returns the US Open to the more “traditional” courses after last year’s experiment with Erin Hills–Shinnecock hosted the 2nd ever tournament in 1896. Shinnecock is commonly regarded as one of golf’s best courses out there and should prove itself once again as golf’s toughest test. The rough is ready to swallow a missed tee shot. The greens are going to lightning quick. It is going to be tough for the winner to reach Retief Goosen’s winning score of four-under back in 2004.

Weather:

The weather throughout the tournament is forecasted to be in the mid to high 70s and mostly sunny. Perfect for an above-par finish.

TV Coverage (Eastern Time):

Thursday and Friday: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm (FoxSports1) and 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm (FOX)
Saturday: 11:00 am – 7:30 pm (FOX)
Sunday: 11:00 am to finish (FOX)

The Field:

At 156 players, the US Open is certainly is one of the largest fields in golf. 12 previous champions are competing after the USGA gave exemptions to both Ernie Els and Jim Furyk.

Storylines:

One of the biggest stories coming into the US Open is, as always, Phil Mickelson. The six-time US Open runner-up will always be one of the top stories at US Open until he wins one if that ever happens. One of Phil’s runner-ups was at Shinnecock in 2004 when he finished two shots behind Retief and Phil finished four shots back of Corey Pavin here in 1995. Phil won for the first time since the 2013 Open Championship earlier this season, can he finally win the US Open here at Shinnecock? Of course, Tiger Woods is back and like with the Masters, all eyes will be on Tiger. Since Augusta, Woods squeaked through a number of cuts to then have one of the best weekends in the field. His most recent start at The Memorial, however, saw Tiger take a share of the lead on Saturday only for him to fade late in the third round and to never really get it going Sunday. Tiger’s giant yacht has made its way to Southhampton and he’s played plenty of practice rounds leading up to the tournament. Tiger fans rejoice, he’s going to be fun to watch. It’s been a while since Rory McIlroy won a major but he did win earlier this season at the Arnold Palmer. Other 2018 winners that have great shots are Jason Day and Justin Rose both of whom are trending upward coming into the tournament. Dustin Johnson is coming off a win last week in Memphis so he could carry the momentum right to a second US Open win. No one has ever won the US Open when winning the week before, however. Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas have both flexed their incredible abilities around the golf course in 2018 after convincing major titles last year. Shinnecock isn’t going to be easy and winning an event this season is something I’m looking at for contenders. Obviously, there was be plenty non-2018-winners in the mix, but having closed the deal at an event earlier in the season is a big factor. Rickie Fowler is still looking for his first major championship in golf, although getting engaged last weekend might be the major championship in life that he could use to get the monkey off his back golf-wise (sorry, had to try to be punny once). He didn’t really want to carry the ring around any longer, he certainly doesn’t really want to be without a major any longer. Brooks Koepka will be looking to defend his title and after missing The Masters with a wrist injury, he’s quickly regained his form. There are plenty of other great stories out there so be sure to keep your eyes on the coverage since we know the FOX crew will go into them, and hopefully get the names of friends and family correct.

Picks:

The Cut: +9
The Winner and Score:

JASON DAY (via)

I’m sticking with the 2018 winners for my pick. Jason Day has looked SHARP when he’s been on having won twice in 2018: The Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines (a US Open course) and a little over a month ago at The Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow (host of last year’s PGA Championship). He’s won on renowned courses and gotten close at a number of other majors. It’s time for him to get his second major. Day wins at +2.

Disagree with my pick? Who do you think will be in the final groups on Sunday? Let me know in the comments