US OPEN Preview

This is the 118th edition of the US Open. The tournament will be played in New York at Shinnecock Hills for the 5th time this week. Retief Goosen was the last winner here in 2004.  All three winners of the modern US Open have been 35 years or older. The course will be play as a par 70 and measures out to 7,445 yards this week. The putting surface is Poa Annua and fairways will have an average width of 41 yards. This course will play similar to a British Open as winds can wreck havoc on players with the absence of trees.

Holes To Watch

Hole 2

This is a 250+ yard par 3 protected by bunkers on both sides of the green. With a 4 ft drop in elevation from the front of the green to the back, every player's accuracy will be tested.

Hole 7

Despite being the biggest green on the course, it is very tricky as the green slopes downward and away from the tee box. This par 3 will play anywhere from 175 to 205 yards.

Hole 10

This hole is only 415 yards downhill, but could end up being the toughest hole all week even with no real hazards in play. It gave players fits in 2004 when the greens were firm and fast. Hitting it past the green is disastrous.

Hole 14

The tee box is elevated and is the longest par 4 measuring 519 yards. Once you find the fairway, the approach is an uphill shot onto the green.

Hole 16

The 16th is one of two par 5s on the course. It measures 616 yards and birdie is hardly a given. Hitting a approach past the green is trouble. A 3 putt would be a good score from that spot as the green has over 5 ft of elevation.

Players To Watch

Dustin Johnson

He is the Vegas favorite and coming off a win  as he heads to the US Open. If the wind picks up, he is one of the few players who will have a major advantage.

Garrett Rank

Ranks is a full time NHL referee who has earned a spot in the US Open in qualifers. He is living all our amateur dreams this week.

Andrew Johnston

Beef is a fan favorite who will be playing his 3rd US Open. He has made the cut in his 1st 2 and this course could end up playing much like the courses he sees in Europe.

Rickie Fowler

Will this be the week he can shake off the label as the best player without a major? Maybe the recent engagement is what he needs to follow in the footsteps of his buddies Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth.

Will Zalatoris

A local pro golfer from Plano. He is a former US Junior Champion who is in his 1st pro season. This will be his 1st US Open as he qualified via sectionals.