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US Open 2017: 10 bold predictions

By Cody Williams

Mar 12, 2017; Palm Harbor, FL, USA; Bryson DeChambeau tees off on the 16th green during the final round of the Valspar Championship golf tournament at Innisbrook Resort - Copperhead Course. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2017; Palm Harbor, FL, USA; Bryson DeChambeau tees off on the 16th green during the final round of the Valspar Championship golf tournament at Innisbrook Resort - Copperhead Course. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 5, 2017; Wilmington, NC, USA; Ernie Els of South Africa hits his drive from the 4th during the second round of the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament at Eagle Point Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
May 5, 2017; Wilmington, NC, USA; Ernie Els of South Africa hits his drive from the 4th during the second round of the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament at Eagle Point Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Ernie Els finishes in the top 30

Incredibly, this is the 25th US Open for the great Ernie Els. He’s one of the modern legends of the game and a player that most golf fans are ultimately familiar with. With that being said, the 47-year old hasn’t been too relevant in quite some time. Particularly in the 2017 PGA Tour season, Els hasn’t been performing well at all.

Els has played in 15 events to this point, and has missed the cut in nine of those. On top of that, he withdrew from another. That gives him a 33 percent success rate so far in 2017 in terms of making the cut. Obviously, that doesn’t exactly paint a great picture for someone who’s going to fare well at the 2017 US Open.

With that being said, it’s worth noting that Els’ best finish of the season was at The Masters. He finished tied for 35th at Augusta, showing strongly on the biggest stage. Thus, I think he betters that showing at Erin Hills.

As the veteran hasn’t finished in the top 30 yet this season, I think he breaks that trend this weekend. Though he’s not the player he once was, he’ll be a steady presence in a tournament where that should be critical to success. Ultimately, that leads to him having his best showing to date in 2017.

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