The second major of the season, the US Open is going to be held at Erin Hills in Wisconsin this week from 15-18 June. So to kick off this year’s second major week, here are my top five picks to conquer the toughest test in golf.
Top 5 Picks for the 2017 US Open at Erin Hills
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Dustin Johnson
It is hard to talk about US Open favourites without talking about the current world number one Dustin Johnson. He has been on absolutely blistering form this year, playing 11 events with a run of 3 back-to-back victories. Unsurprisingly he ranks first in driving distance on the PGA Tour, with an average of 312.1 yards off the tee. This is an important ranking to possess, given the sheer length of Erin Hills, which stands at an enormous a 7,700 yards. Dustin also leads the Tour in greens in regulation percentage, an impressive 72.53%. With statistics like these, it is difficult not to see Dustin Johnson winning this year.
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Justin Thomas
Justin Thomas is my second pick to win this year’s US Open. He has performed extremely well this year on tour, coming into the US Open second on the FedEx Cup Rankings. With 3 victories this year, including back-to-back victories early in the season, he seems a safe bet. He ranks in the top 15 on tour for greens in regulation and driving distance and is first for birdie average. These statistics will be important during this week’s upcoming major.
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Rickie Fowler
Rickie Fowler has played well this year, contending a couple of tournaments and winning the Honda Classic. However, his statistics tell the real story in my opinion. He ranks in the top 10 for strokes gained putting and is 3rd for birdie average and scoring average. A recent missed cut at the FedEx St. Jude Classic was simply a blip and I expect him to follow Sergio Garcia in breaking his Major duck this year.
4. Sergio Garcia
This year’s Masters winner Sergio Garcia is fourth on my list. After finally breaking his major duck at the Masters in April, I’m backing him to swiftly add to that total. As well as his Masters victory in April he has won once on the European Tour and ranks first in Scoring Average on Tour. His putting may be a problem however, as it always has been, but his long game should suit Erin Hills to set up a potential second Major.
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Rory McIlroy
World number 2 Rory McIlroy is making his comeback from injury at this year’s US Open. He has not played much golf on the PGA Tour this season, playing only six events, his highest finish being T4. Despite his lack of playing time, caused by a rib injury he sustained, his finish to last season was astonishing, winning the Tour Championship and FedEx Cup, and if he can find that form, he will be a certain winner.
Under the Radar:
These four players may not have performed as well as they could this year on tour, or may be new finds. If they find the form, however, they cannot be ruled out as winners.
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John Rahm:
John Rahm has had a stellar breakthrough season on the PGA Tour. With one victory and a couple of second place finishes he has really stood out for me. The young Spanish talent has a brilliant all round game with especially great tee to green and driving games, gaining 1.774 and 0.987 strokes respectively from the rest of the tour. If his putting game improves this week, he could lift the trophy come Sunday.
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Jason Day:
Plagued with injuries and back problems, Jason Day has had a bit of a stop start season. He has struggled on occasion, with his highest finish this season being a solo second at the AT&T Byron Nelson a few weeks ago. If Jason catches fire however, with his amazing tee to green and putting game, he could be a contender.
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Jordan Spieth:
Jordan has struggled to reach the heights of his double major winning 2015 season. He has not by all means performed badly this year, but by his own high standards, one victory this season surely isn’t enough. Spieth goes into this week ranking 5th on the FedEx Cup Rankings and in the top five on tour for birdie average and greens in regulation. If his putter warms up, expect Spieth to be up there near the top of the leader board.
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Hideki Matsuyama:
Hideki Matsuyama has had a wonderful season so far, placing 3rd on the FedEx Cup Rankings and chalking up 3 wins on tour already. He has been touted as a future major winner and could put in a performance to make true that prediction.
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