Here we go! Another major championship and one that will be very interesting to watch. We will be seeing players from the LIV tour compete and, in most eyes, will be the villains. I really can’t wait to watch this week and watch all the none scoring we will have, and the winner probably finishes in the low single digit under par like most U.S. Open venues. Now let’s get to the course preview.
Course Preview
This week we move to Massachusetts to play at Brookline. I have seen a couple of videos over the weekend showing the very thick rough where you drop a ball in it and it disappears. Another video where if you hit it in the wrong place of the fairway it will run off a good 20-30 yards into the water even if you hit it in the fairway. This will make accuracy off the tee very important this week. The country club plays as a 7,264-yard par 70 with four par 3’s, twelve par 4’s and two par 5’s. Like most years a lot of these par 4’s play long and there will be an emphasis to look at golfers who are good on par 4’s 450+ yards. Do not let that short yardage fool you, this course has plenty to hold these golfers back from big time scoring due to the very long rough, the big rollouts that can put you in the water with good shots and small greens where you will need to also be good around the greens. This course screams to fade Bryson just due to him being a bomber and having shorter irons in from the rough. If you hit it in the rough this week or have crazy drives, you will struggle to even score a bogey on any of these holes. You need to be in the fairway to have a chance at winning at this course.
Stats I am Looking at:
- Driving Accuracy/Fwys Gained
- SG: APP
- SG: ARG
- P4 scoring 450-500 and 500+
- Scoring on difficult courses
- Bogey Avoidance
- Prox 175-200
Player Breakdown
Jon Rahm (Cash/Gpp)
Rahm is built for U.S. Open venues with a win and a 3rd in 2/3 times played in the last three years. He hasn’t shown the greatest form as of late, but his scoring on difficult course is good and he comes in 6th in bogey avoidance.
Rory Mcllroy (Cash/GPP)
It will be tough to choose from him and Rahm this week but both set up very very well for this week. Rory does well at U.S. Open venues with two top 10’s the last two times. He is also playing out of his mind as of right now and looks great coming into this week.
Collin Morikawa (Cash/GPP)
This just seems like the perfect spot for Morikawa to troll everybody and win this tournament. I know he has been awful lately but that has been because of His ARG and putting. I do like him at this course even though I feel obligated to play him until he wins.
Viktor Hovland (GPP)
I do not think he can win here but I do think he can play well enough to score for you. The last two times at the U.S. Open he finished 13th and 12th. Obviously different courses but it just shows he is good in these types of courses.
Xander Schauffele (Cash/GPP)
I usually only have Xander as a cash game play, but he sets up so well for U.S. Open and I will be playing him in whatever contest I play whether it is Cash/SE or GPP. He will probably be chalky, so just watch out for that through the week.
Will Zalatoris (GPP)
This kid is really good and he shows up for the big tournaments. The only issue I see that will come from him this week is his driver is very wild and could put him out of this tournament. If it is on, he can get another top 10.
Hideki Matsuyama (GPP)
Please do not have any markings on your club for God’s sake. I got bit by this when he got a big fat DQ for having markings on his club last tournament. I will go right back because that does not mean he hasn’t played well. He has the tools for here and should do well and his best putting surface is POA.
Brooks Koepka (GPP)
GPP only play for me because while he is the U.S. Open king his form is not great and just does not look the same including at the majors, which used to be where he was at his best.
Matthew Fitzpatrick (Cash/GPP)
Going to be chalky this week and for good reason. Fitz is on a tear lately and the stats also lineup for him. Comes in 6th in this field on fwys gained and 7th in bogey avoidance which should be big time stats this week.
Daniel Berger (Cash/GPP)
Can this be his week? It very well could be. Has found some form recently and good golfer on difficult courses and good in the wind as well. His APP game is on point along with bogey avoidance and being able to hit his fairways.
Corey Conners (GPP)
Just like Hovland and Morikawa the worst parts of his game are around the green and on the greens. With these three guys you need to bank on their irons which are damn good and hope they can find something on the greens.
Mito Pereira (Cash/GPP)
Fantastic form lately and his biggest flaw has been the putter, but I don’t think that would kill him at this course. If he can put himself in good opportunities he should do well.
Louis Oosthuizen (Cash)
If he isn’t like 60% owned in cash games, then I just don’t know. He plays U.S. Open venues so well and is usually one of the safest plays barring any withdraws.
Sungjae IM (Cash/GPP)
He hits his fairways and has a great GIR% along with being 3rd in bogey avoid along with being good in other stats categories.
Talor Gooch (GPP)
Has a similar game to Corey Conners and I usually play him at the same courses. Gooch has some stats all over the place, but I do think he can do well here this week. The reason I have him as GPP only is just because he seems to be pretty boom or bust this week.
Webb Simpson (Cash/GPP)
Does not have the greatest form there is but I actually like him a lot this week. Great proximity numbers from the distances I am looking at along with being 13th in bogey avoid and 22nd in fwys gained. His form is bad, but he is priced too cheap for how he will do this week.
Russell Henley (Cash/GPP)
I always have a soft spot for my boy, he is going to be pretty accurate all the way around so he will have plenty of chances to do well this week.
Patrick Reed (GPP)
I just think this price is too low for a guy who plays at tougher course well. He won’t win but you don’t need him to at $7,200.
Adam Scott (GPP)
Biggest issue for him this week is going to be his driver. It really hasn’t been great and if he doesn’t do well driving this week his week will be over quick. He does play tough courses well and is good in the wind.
Justin Rose (Cash/GPP)
Has been good in the past at U.S. Open courses and played well last week even though it was mainly on the back of his putter. Somewhat risky but we know his talent and he can make the cut.
Erik Van Rooyen (GPP)
This play is very intriguing to me. He can hit his fairways and everything but his last three tournaments played have been very bad. He plays at difficult and windy courses pretty well so I am relying on him being able to grind out a good finish.
Alexander Noren (Cash/GPP)
Has burned us in the recent past but we know he is a grinder and can make the cut here. Also plays well in tough conditions.
Brian Harman (Cash/GPP)
Probably my favorite guy down in this range this week. Finds fairways, best putting surface is POA, great in windy conditions and amazing around the greens. Exactly what we are needing.
Francesco Molinari (GPP)
Has rattled off three straight made cuts and usually plays well at the U.S. Open. Let’s see what he has to bring this week. Playing in the wind also does not bother him.
Taylor Montgomery (GPP)
I do not know a lot about this kid but he is doing very well over on the korn ferry tour. He played at the U.S. Open last year and finished t57, which in reality is not bad seeing how they have the lowest made cut % of all majors.
Chase Seiffert (GPP)
Do we really think he should be priced below some of these guys down here? No chance. He is not the best golfer in the world, but he is going to hit his fairways and plod his way around the course probably clubbing down and trying to stay in it for the weekend. I actually do not mind him as a punt for cash games also because it allows you to fit more.
Cash Game Core
- Xander Schauffele
- Louis Oosthuizen
GPP Core
- Collin Morikawa
- Corey Conners
