US Open 2020: Preview and Predictions

This week sees a return to Winged Foot for the US Open and a return to a traditional US Open scoreboard. After the past few years have seen winning scores go as low as -16, it’s clear to see the USGA wants to go back to what the US Open is known for Brutal, Unforgiving, and heartbreak. That last one should ring true for one of the participants more than others, as well all know too well, Winged Foot was the venue of Phil Mickelson’s famous collapse on the 72nd hole back in 2006.

Winged Foot is going to be played at an almost comically long 7,477 yards, over 200 more than in 2006. With just 1 par 3 under 200 yards, you might think that it’s going to be a bombers paradise, and you wouldn’t be laughed out of the clubhouse for saying that either. There is a catch though: You need to be pretty straight.

We all know the PGA Tour gets some (justified) jabs that the rough is too low, and there is never any punishment to those wayward off the tee, well, once again, the USGA has stepped in, growing the rough out to the length you’d typically see on a horse track. This thick, northeastern grass, particularly around the greens, is going to wreak havoc on anyone thinking they can outdrive the course (looking at you Bryson). We haven’t even got to the greens yet have we?

Rock-solid, large and undulating, it’s the stuff of nightmares for any golfer. The pros this week are going to have to make the same decision on every hole: Can I control the spin and stick it in the middle, or try and chase the ball in, playing essentially a bump and run from 150+. Both have their upsides, both could also produce catastrophic results. I love it.

Call me a cynic, but I absolutely hate watching golf tournaments where the winner shoots higher than -10. Do I love to see great shots? Yes. Do i want to see golfers just spank it 340 every hole, knowing it makes zero difference where it lands? No. I want to see golfers and their caddies methodically think about every shot. I want to see them really have to make “best of a bad situation” decisions based on the shot they want to play. It’s what professional golf should be. It’s what amateur golf is on your typical Sunday roll-up, so why can’t the professionals be the same?

Ben An has already said he shot +8 on the front 9 alone during a practice round, JT and Tiger shot +3 and +5 respectively, this is going to really shake the pro golfers, and I am all here for it.

So, I guess you want to see what my prediction is because I am of course an expert. As mentioned above, it’s all about accuracy and consistency, with a little distance thrown in. The popular picks are JT and Dustin, and it’s obvious why. Both hit it long, both hit it (fairly) straight, and they have good enough wedge play from 100+ out to get them on greens, rather than that wretched greenside rough. Is it enough to win it though? Well maybe, but saying the world number 1 or 2 is going to win is boring right, you didn’t need to read this article to know they’ll be in the mix.

My pick is someone who has been quite consistent since the return of golf and had a pretty damn good result at Colonial, which I think is the closest comparison we can even get to what it will be like this week. Not super long off the tee, but long enough. A fantastic iron player, and one of the best ball flights on tour. What sets him apart though is his putting. This man was 2nd in strokes gained putting last season, at 0.88 ar round. If he can gain almost a shot on the field through his putting alone, i don’t even think it’s close. My final reason this man will win, he’s a Yorkshireman, ‘nuff said. If those clues weren’t enough, I’m backing Matthew Fitzpatrick to take home the trophy this week, at a score of +3.

Disclaimer: If you are for some reason reading this and decide to put your life savings on him winning and he doesn’t, that’s your fault for believing in me.