Tuesday 16 June 2015 15:06, UK
Ben Coley surveys the field for the second major of the year and tips a trio of Americans and a Japanese star to shine at Chambers Bay.
For the occasional golf punter, with the season’s second major comes the first real puzzle.
You know what you’re getting at Augusta National, permanent home of the Masters, and in actual fact the same sentiment applies to the final two majors of this year at St Andrews and Whistling Straits, each of which hosted the same tournament just five years ago.
But this week for the 115th edition of the US Open, the world’s finest head to Washington and Chambers Bay, a Robert Trent Jones Jr design that’s like no other.
Some say there’s a distinctly links feel to a course which can play close to a phenomenal 8,000 yards, with fine fescue grass helping to create something of a Scottish landscape. However, you won’t find a traditional links course whose greens are so undulating and whose elevation changes so dramatic as Chambers Bay. It’s a monster, and it appears unlikely that many – if any – will break par over 72 holes.
All of which means that predicting who might grind it out is extremely difficult. You’d think such an exam would be tailor-made for Jim Furyk or Matt Kuchar, but on the other hand the fairways here are wide and Brooks Koepka is one of a number of players to state without hesitation that longer hitters will be at an advantage.
Perhaps, then, Rory McIlroy is the more likely of the two market leaders ahead of Jordan Spieth, but so unrelenting is the challenge ahead that taking single-figure prices is a brave and perhaps foolish thing to do.
Instead, I’m inclined to keep things simple and rely on Rickie Fowler’s astonishing record in top-grade events.
Fowler of course joined Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus in the history books as he carded top-five finishes in all four 2014 majors, and he’s continued to excel in the very best of company with 12th place at Augusta followed swiftly by a landmark success in The Players.
One year ago, Martin Kaymer followed victory at Sawgrass with a dominant US Open display and Fowler, who will certainly not mind if this indeed is a links-like test, could well follow suit.
Crucially, the Californian approaches golf with the right attitude and his short-game looks in the shape required to navigate what are extreme greens. I expect him to play well.
Dustin Johnson’s claims are less straightforward but if he should take to Chambers Bay I’ve little doubt he can win a first major.
Some have compared this course to Whistling Straits, where DJ famously missed out on the US PGA having led by a shot playing the last hole, while his efforts in the Open Championship are also encouraging.
What I particularly like is that Johnson’s short-game and bogey avoidance stats have improved significantly since his return from that six-month absence and it’s also notable that he won the Cadillac Championship at Doral, an event which favours the bombers like no other.
Johnson has all the talent needed to beat the best fields in the sport and if he can get off to a good start this may finally be his time.
Going back to Fowler and his positive attitude, for similar reasons I like the chances of Brandt Snedeker.
Few play the game in better spirit than the 34-year-old, whose short-game skills are a huge asset anywhere but particularly here in a US Open.
Snedeker’s record in this tournament is very strong, regardless of where it has been played, and that versatility coupled with recent form which includes two top-six finishes in preparation for this week makes him a key player.
You’ll hear many players complaining about bad luck this week but Snedeker strikes me as the type to smile and get on with it, which could prove a rewarding approach.
Finally, Hideki Matsuyama may be younger than your average winner at 23 but the Japanese superstar is more than capable of landing this title.
Matsuyama has been phenomenally consistent all season and while you’d be a little concerned about his putting at another course, the bumpy greens at Chambers Bay may create a more level playing field.
Either way, Matsuyama’s long-game supremacy and outstanding record in big events combine to create a solid case. He’s already managed three top-10 finishes in just eight major starts and another awaits on the back of fifth place in the Masters.
