US Open 2017: 10 things you need to know
By John Buhler
7. Eyes will be on Masters Champion Sergio Garcia
Now that he has the golf major monkey off his back, 2017 Masters Tournament winner Sergio Garcia can play unencumbered golf at Erin Hills. However, don’t think for a second that so many eyes will be on the first major winner of the year and how he fares in the US Open.
Garcia has +2,200 odds to win his second major in a row this Sunday. That’s not bad, as that would put him in the top-eight for best odds to win the tournament. Frankly, he would actually do very well at Erin Hills if he can hit it straight and not be undermined by his putting.
Erin Hills will favor players that drive the ball long and can chip well. Garcia does both of those parts of his game well. Where he can come unraveled is on the green. While the greens at Erin Hills are supposed to be in pristine condition, whomever wins in the short game will inevitably win the tournament.
We have to expect that Garcia will botch a few putts on the green this week. That’s just what he does. However, he will be playing with tremendous confidence to win the tournament since earning his first Green Jacket at Augusta. Garcia has to realize that all eyes will be on him this weekend to see how he plays in his first major since his first win at a major.