U.S. Open 2018 preview: Predictions, picks and upsets

Here’s a few predictions, picks and upsets for the 2018 U.S. Open from Shinnecock Hills.

For the first time since 2004 and the fifth time overall, the U.S. Open returns to historic Shinnecock Hills in New York and it’s shaping up to be yet another historic week in major championship history.

Outside of boasting a field of 156 of the world’s best players, including the top 50 in the official World Golf Ranking, the 2018 edition of the U.S. Open will be historic solely for the fact that this is the last time it will be the second major championship of the season, as the PGA Championship will move to May beginning next year as part of a monumental shift in the schedule. But let’s be honest here: With this golf course and this field, there’s going to be plenty to talk about beyond the golf calendar.

The weather is looking good as temperatures are expected to be in the low-to-mid-70s throughout the tournament but the real factor here is going to be the wind. Shinnecock Hills isn’t the typical U.S. Open course as a links-style layout and it’s going to be long. While likely to play a little bit shorter depending on which tee boxes are used each day, the Long Island track can stretch to nearly 7,500 yards, nearly 500 yards longer than it played it 2004. With wind gusts of 20-25 miles per hour projected on Thursday and Friday, anything could happen and could certainly cause problems for many players, especially when that cut number starts to enter the brain.

So what exactly does all of that mean? Well, it depends, doesn’t it? If the wind shifts and the long par-4s are playing downwind, pulling the driver out of the bag may not have to be an option for some. However, wind obviously dries out a golf course a bit and that could make for some interesting approach shots and some very slick greens (note to the USGA: let’s make sure to keep those things watered this time around to avoid the debacle that was 2004).

Not surprisingly, the top 10 players in the world are all big favorites this week so what we’ll do here is take a look at those guys and how their game is shaping up for the U.S. Open. We’ll follow that up with a look at some players that could give us a fun story come Sunday afternoon and then I’ll make my official pick for who walks away as the 2018 U.S. Open champion.

Enjoy.