U.S. Open 2018 preview: Predictions, picks and upsets
By Luke Norris
Players that could give us a fun story on Sunday afternoon
Given the talent level of the names on this final list, it’s almost difficult to call any of these an upset. I mean, there are two guys on here that are two of the biggest names in the history of the sport, which simply makes them two of five more stories I would have no problem watching play out on a Sunday at the U.S. Open.
20. Phil Mickelson
Phil Mickelson, aka the biggest bridesmaid in the history of U.S. Open golf, is back for another chance at winning the one championship that has eluded him throughout his illustrious career. Turning 48 years old this Saturday, the six-time runner-up may be running out of chances to win the career Grand Slam but he’s loving the setup this week, which really says something as he’s had no problem slamming the USGA in the past. Of the 156 players in the field this week, Mickelson is just one of 18 players to play a competitive round at Shinnecock Hills and he’s had plenty of success here … well, for a normal person anyway. He finished tied for fourth here in 1995 and thinks that 2004 was his best chance to win a U.S. Open, even with some of the other heartbreaking finishes he’s had at this tournament. Mickelson was one of just two players to finish under par that week, the other being winner Retief Goosen. A surprising win this week would make him the oldest major champion in history, would complete that career Grand Slam and would cap off one of the greatest careers in the history of the sport.
25. Matt Kuchar
If he’s not there already, Matt Kuchar is entering Lee Westwood territory. For so many years, it was thought that Kuchar would someday break through for that major championship and it just never happened. He holds the unfortunate distinction at this point as the highest-earning active member on the PGA Tour without a major win. The fun part here is that this is major championship appearance number 50 for Kuchar, who turns 40 next week. It’s not that he hasn’t come close, finishing in the top 10 in majors on 10 different occasions, three of those coming last year. His worst finish in last year’s majors was a tie for 16th at the U.S. Open. So that’s a bit of a downer but his consistency could really come into play if things get difficult as the tournament rolls on. That would be one loud “KUUUUUUCCCCCHHHHH” from the gallery if he can finally get that monkey off his back.
27. Ian Poulter
Ian Poulter had a rough go of it a few years back with injury issues and not being able to pick up a win but he’s looked like the Ian Poulter of old recently. He’s jumped more than 50 spots in the world rankings since this time last year when he didn’t even play in this tournament. He was in danger of missing The Masters earlier this year but dramatically made it into the field with a win in Houston, his first victory anywhere in more than five years. He’s finished in the top 20 in his last four starts, including a tie for eighth at the Italian Open in his most recent outing. He’s being given 100-1 odds to win at this point but tell me that watching his intensity down the stretch on Sunday afternoon wouldn’t be great television.
67. Adam Scott
The Adam Scott story this week has drama and Sunday vignettes written all over it. First of all, the former Masters champ almost didn’t even make the field of 156. Formerly a world number one, the 37-year-old Australian dropped out of the top 50 after missing the cut at Pebble Beach earlier this season and didn’t have any exemptions to help him into the field. He tried and tried to get back into the top 50 and then even the top 60 but just didn’t quite make it and had to go to the 36-hole sectional qualifier last week in Ohio and survived with just one stroke to spare, making this the 68th consecutive major championship he’ll play. He comes to the U.S. Open, however, without his caddie David Clark, with whom he parted ways after the qualifier. So he’s now using a local caddie at Shinnecock Hills, one who he’s used in casual rounds at this venue in the past, including a round in which he shot a then-course-record 63. So he almost doesn’t get in, is using a local caddie and also brought back his brother-in-law, who he hasn’t used in years, to be his coach. Yeah, that’s a good story.
80. Tiger Woods
Oh yeah, in case you hadn’t heard, there is a guy named Tiger Woods playing the U.S. Open this week for the first time in three years and is also celebrating (or likely mourning in his case) the 10-year anniversary of his historic U.S. Open win at Torrey Pines in 2008, which also happens to be the last time he won a major championship. Think about that for a minute. It’s been a decade since Tiger Woods won that 14th major championship. Wasn’t he supposed to have at least 20 by now? There’s obviously been a lot that’s happened in that decade. But that doesn’t mean that he doesn’t have a chance this week and that we all won’t talk endlessly about it. Sorry, folks, just like Michael Jordan was always the story when he maybe shouldn’t have been, that’s the way it goes with Tiger Woods. And a Tiger win this week would arguably be one of the biggest stories this sport would ever see. I’m sure FOX wouldn’t mind him being in the mix over the weekend either. Tiger moves the needle and he’s shown this year that he can go low. If he can finally put four rounds together in the same week, he can win this golf tournament.