to watch at the U.S. Open
DUSTIN JOHNSON
World Ranking: 1 | Last year: Missed cut (champion in 2016) | Odds: 8-1
Skinny: Johnson reclaimed the top spot in the Official World Golf rankings this week by crushing the field in Memphis by 6 shots. Nobody on tour gains more shots on the field than he does, and it starts off the tee and is among the best in approach shots. Johnson has two wins and two runner-up finishes and has finished in the top 20 in all 10 of his stroke play starts this season.
JUSTIN ROSE
World Ranking: 3 | Last year: Missed cut (champion in
2013) | Odds: 14-1
Skinny: Rose has been on quite the roll this year, winning twice including last month in Fort Worth among six top-10s in 11 events. He can grind with the best of them, as seen at his 2013 U.S. Open victory at Merion, when he won by 2 while finishing over par. He did whatever else couldn't — avoid making a double. The Englishman is fifth in putts in regulation and fifth in driving when both distance and keeping it in the fairway are factored.
BRYSON DeCHAMBEAU
World Ranking: 22 | Last year: Missed cut | Odds: 40-1 Skinny: During his brief pro career, majors have not been kind to the Californian best known for having each of his irons cut to the same length. It certainly works for him as he is in the top 20 in hitting greens in regulation. DeChambeau picked up his second career win earlier this month at the Memorial and has eight top 20s in 16 events.
RICKIE FOWLER
World Ranking: 7 | Last year: T-5 | Odds: 18-1
Skinny: He's among the top contenders to wear the dubious “best player never to win a major” crown made headlines last week with his engagement to pole vaulter Allison Stokke. After being in the mix for the Masters title earlier this year it only solidified the case that he's going to get one, and most likely soon. He has three top 10 finishes at the U.S. Open including the runner-up in 2014 at Pinehurst.
PHIL MICKELSON
World Ranking: 20 | Last year: DNS | Odds: 28-1 Skinny: This is the missing jewel for Lefty's career grand slam and he has come agonizingly close many times, with six runner-up finishes. The tournament has also been the scene of some of his biggest disasters (see Winged Foot, 2006). He plays Shinnecock Hills well, finishing second to Retief Goosen and was fourth in 1995 when Corey Pavin was victorious. He has six top 10s in 15 starts including a win at the WGC event in Mexico.
AND THE WINNER IS: DUSTIN JOHNSON
History works against Johnson being able to get it done as no one has ever followed up a PGA Tour win with a U.S. Open title, but he can handle the length, rolls it well enough, and can get up and down in a tournament where par often times feels like gaining a shot on the field. He shed his choker status following his 3-putt on the 72nd hole at Chambers Bay by winning the following year at Oakmont. This time, he gets a bit of revenge after missing the cut at an Erin Hills layout that appeared to suit his game perfectly.