GEOFF SHACKELFORD’S 9 PLAYERS TO WATCH
Brooks Koepka
Official World Golf Ranking: 1
Best U.S. Open finish: 1 (2017, 2018)
This year: A T-2 in the Masters and a two-stroke win in the PGA.
Why he could win: The defending champion faces a course where he has little history, but this one is a major so he should be OK. Koepka hit iron off most of the tees there and since he seems to love all kinds of courses, he’ll adapt. Since missing the cut in his first national championship, has gone T-4,T-18, T-13, W, W.
Dustin Johnson
OWGR: 2
Best U.S. Open: 1 (2016)
This year: Steady as can be, with a win in the World Golf Championships-Mexico Championship, a T-2 in the Masters thanks to a final-round 68 and a Sunday charge in the PGA that fizzled down the stretch. His second place sealed the career second-place Grand Slam.
Why he could win: Won back-to-back AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Ams in 2009 and 2010, then posted 71-70-66 to take a three-shot lead over Graeme McDowell heading into the final round of the 2010 U.S. Open at Pebble. A closing 82 left him T-8. He can conquer Pebble in any condition, and he’s a far more complete player nine years later.
Justin Rose
OWGR: 3
Best U.S. Open: 1 (2013)
This year: A win in the Farmers and mostly steady play. A shocking missed cut in the Masters is past this worldclass talent, as a third at Quail Hollow displayed. Was under the weather in the PGA Championship and was T-29.
Why he could win: Builds schedule around the majors and has a repeating swing that continues to crank out long, accurate drives. He’s also having a sensational year on the greens, ranking in the top 10 in strokes gained putting.
Tiger Woods
Rory McIlroy
OWGR: 4
Best U.S. Open: 1 (2011) This year: McIlroy is coming in hot after routing the field in the RBC Canadian Open with a closing 61. A resounding Players win came after a rough final round at Bay Hill, but overall steady play with a second in Mexico City and T-4 in the Genesis Open. A T-21 in the Masters was undone by an opening 73, and a similar slow start story in the PGA Championship (T-8) was salvaged by playing final the 45 holes in 6 under.
Why he could win: Tee to green the best ball-striker on the PGA Tour and a more consistent player than ever, except for mediocre major showings. Has grown to like putting on Poa.
OWGR: 5
Best U.S. Open: 1 (2000, 2002, 2008) This year: Masters champion missed the cut at Bethpage, where he seemed under the weather and somewhat defeated by Koepka’s dominance.
Why he could win: Had his greatest performance in 2000 here, winning by 15 after earning the Pebble Beach ProAm trophy that year. Also finished T-4 in the 2010 U.S. Open at Pebble. Has played Pebble only four times since, and his last appearance was in 2012.
Francesco Molinari
OWGR: 7
Best U.S. Open: T-23 (2014)
This year: Won the Arnold Palmer Invitational and had the Masters lead going to the back nine Sunday only to deposit his tee shot on 12 into Rae’s Creek. Finished T-48 at Bethpage.
Why he could win: Last year’s Champion Golfer of the Year can handle any course when he’s on but has shown himself to be particularly superior when the conditions are firm and fast. If the normal Pebble Beach shows up, he should relish the precision and patience required.
Xander Schauffele
OWGR: 10
Best U.S. Open: T-5 (2017)
This year: Win in Sentry Tournament of Champions, T-2 in the Masters and T-16 in the PGA Championship.
Why he could win: Emerging as a bigstage player. Contended late into last year’s British Open, has played well in the two U.S. Opens for which he qualified and fought back at Bethpage after a slow start. The San Diegan is familiar with California coastal conditions. Won the 2011 California State High School Championship at nearby Poppy Hills.
Patrick Cantlay
OWGR: 8 Best U.S. Open: T-21 (2011) This year: T-3 in the RBC Heritage and his best finish in a major, a T-3 in the PGA Championship thanks to a 68-71 weekend.
Why he could win: Californian is a former U.S. Amateur champion and should thrive at Pebble. Grew up on Poa annua greens and has one decent finish at Pebble (T-9 in 2013 Pro-Am) and the even-keel attitude that will withstand extreme difficulty presented in June by a firm, fast and breezy course. He bested a stellar field in the Memorial two weeks ago.
Phil Mickelson
OWGR: 25 Best U.S. Open: 2 (six times, most recently in 2013) This year: Has cooled off since a hot start, failing to register a top-10 since the win in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. A missed cut in The Players, a T-18 in the Masters and a T-71 in the PGA.
Why he could win: Has won five times at Pebble Beach. In U.S. Opens played at Pebble, he missed the cut in the 1992 edition, finished T-16 in 2000 and T-4 in 2010. His affinity for the place and ability to putt greens that give others fits give him an edge.