Three to watch

Who will be the U.S. Open champion? Jon McCarthy makes his picks

The Favourite: Dustin Johnson

We know, we know, Dustin Johnson is an easy pick. But that’s because there’s no reason not to pick him.

Since winning last year’s U.S. Open, all the 32-year-old American has done is win five more times and grab the world No. 1 ranking. Golf’s biggest, baddest player fits right in at this 652-acre course that can play as long as the USGA wants. If the course plays soft because of rain, Johnson’s power will be an even greater strength. The work he did on his wedge game has separated him from the field more than any player since Tiger Woods.

There are, however, two reasons for caution before you make him your pool favourite. He’s coming off a rare missed cut at Memorial and he arrived at Erin Hills a little late after the birth of his second child with Paulina Gretzky on Monday. The stoic Johnson has proved unflappable, so he’s still our top pick.

Father’s Day victory anyone?

The Next Level: Rickie Fowler

Fowler is our pick after the heavy favourites. If you take Johnson, Rory McIlroy, Jason Day and Jordan Spieth out of the mix, we like Fowler.

Maybe this is the year for players to get monkeys off their backs. Sergio Garcia kicked things off by winning the Masters and Fowler is the man he stuck with the best-playerto-never-win-amajor label. Like Johnson, Fowler is unflappable, which is a must at a championship that chews up and spits out most of the field every year.

When other players check out, Fowler starts grinding. He has the length you need to win at Erin Hills and is an exceptional wind player. His bag this week in Wisconsin is Green Bay Packers green and gold. More karma? If he wins the U.S. Open, this monkey-off-yourback year is real, so watch out for Lee Westwood at the

British Open.

The Long Shot: Martin Kaymer

Picking a two-time major winner as a long shot seems strange, but with 66-1 odds, that’s what he is. Trying to determine the week Kaymer puts it all together is like trying to hit a 1-iron — next-to-impossible. But when he’s on his game, the precise German is a world-beater, and playing alongside Johnson and Spieth for the first two rounds should help. Kaymer believes that because pros dedicate nearly all their time to practising and becoming a better player, professional golf tournaments should be painfully difficult. He has no patience for simple courses or easy setups. Well, this week he gets his wish. Other long shots at odds of 50-1 or greater that we like: Louis Oosthuizen 50-1, Shane Lowry 66-1 and Brandt Snedeker 100-1.