2016 US Open: 5 dark horse golfers who could contend
By Brad Weiss
1. Matthew Fitzpatrick
The 2016 US Open will be the coming out party for Matthew Fitzpatrick, who if he wins, will actually be younger than Spieth was when he became the youngest golfer since Bobby Jones in 1923 to win the Open. The former U.S. Amateur Champion will be looking to continue on the momentum of his final round during April’s Masters Championship, where he shot a five-under-67, finishing T7. He just won a few weeks ago on the European Tour, taking home the Nordea Masters title.
Fitzpatrick has made one appearance in a US Open in his career, when he was the low amateur at Pinehurst in 2014. He finished that tournament T48, but it was his demeanor that was not lost on Phil Mickelson and Justin Rose, who were paired with him during the first two rounds. He would shoot an opening round 71 while playing along side Mickelson and Rose, but he would save his best for last.
In his final round, Fitzpatrick shot a 1-under-69, finishing the tournament +11. In 2016, he figures to score much lower, though he will have to do it against a course that allowed only two under-par final rounds when it hosted the Open in 2007.
Fitzpatrick will tee off at 8:13 am ET, and will be paired with Danny Lee and Byeong Hun An.