One major in the books and let's hope that this one has a little more drama than the Masters did. Jordan Spieth was amazing at Augusta but his huge lead made Sunday a bit anti-climactic. My Jimmy Walker pick wasn't the best but at least he made the cut, tying for 38th. Adam Scott (Tim's pick) also finished in 38th and Dustin Johnson (Mike's pick) placed sixth, giving Mike the early lead.
As for this U.S. Open at Chambers Bay in Washington, I am pumped. The course looks like it is going to be very challenging. Golf balls can be bounced on fairways like basketballs. The layout looks interesting and the grass is pretty much dead.
I love the U.S. Open when the champion finishes right at even par. This tournament is and should be the toughest test of the year. I'm not sure how excited am I hear Joe Buck announce golf but hey at least it's not going to be Johnny Miller telling me how he shot a 63 at Oakmont in 1973 on a Sunday to win the U.S. Open.
Anyways, let's get to the picks. I have so many names that I love and want to pick so bare with me for a moment.
Love Phil Mickelson at 14/1. He has been playing some pretty good golf lately and people probably forgot that he finished second at Augusta because Spieth dominated. Philip has SIX second place finishes at the U.S. Open. SIX?!? He's only missed the cut one time in this event since 1994, so I expect Phil to be hanging around the lead but he is not the pick.
Graeme McDowell at 66/1 might not be a bad choice. He won the U.S. Open in 2010 and he also has a second place finish. Also sort of like Patrick Reed at 44/1 for no real reason. He's only played in one U.S. Open but he does have four PGA Tour wins over the past two years.
Here is the guy I almost went with. Jason Day at 25/1. In five trips to the U.S. Open, Day has two runner-ups and a fourth place finish. He is only 27 years old and is on the cusp of winning his first major. I really want to pick him but there is one golfer I just can't quit.
Sergio Garcia at 25/1 is my official pick. I picked him last year in this event and he came in 35th, which prompted me to chirp at him the next weekend at the Traveler's Championship as he was walking to the 17th hole. I don't even know if like Sergio anymore. I more or less just want him to win a major so I can feel some type of satisfaction that I stuck with him because if we are being honest the guy is a bit of a choker. He lost the playoff to Rickie Fowler at the The Players Championship but he had the tournament in the bag before a bogey on 14 opened the door for Rickie to make a comeback. He hasn't won on the PGA Tour since 2012.
The reason why I'm taking my old friend Sergio is because of the style of the course. In the pacific northwest hopefully it gets a little windy and almost plays like a British Open, where Sergio has been very good, having eight top tens over the pond since 2001. So good luck Sergio.
Picks from the Bros ---
Mike Moriarty, the defending pick champion and current leader, is going with Rickie Fowler to get his first major win. Rickie is at 18/1 odds to win. He is fresh off an impressive playoff victory at the Players Championship in May. In his past five majors he has finished no worse than 12th place, including a runner-up in the U.S. Open last June. It certainly seems like Rickie will be in contention.
Tim Leavitt is going with his second straight 2013 major winner, Justin Rose, who won this tournament two years ago. Rose is among the favorites in the tourney with 18/1 odds. The links style course should play to his strengths. Rose has been up and down at the U.S. open throughout his career. He has missed the cut four times but he also has three top ten finishes and a 12th place finish last year at Pinehurst.
Enjoy the tournament people
P.S. --- Sleeper pick of the century --- Troy Kelly at +50000 to win. So bet one dollar to win $500. I originally had no clue who this guy was but he's from Tacoma, Washington which is right near Chambers Bay, so I'm assuming he knows the course a little bit. He hasn't played in a U.S. Open since 2005 when he missed the cut. However, with those odds why not take a flyer?
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