With the US Open beginning Thursday at the demanding Oakmont Country Club, John McAuley looks at five guys who might surprise in the season’s second major.
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Phil Mickelson
Six runner-up finishes show how close the veteran American has gone to the one major that eludes him. However, he is in fine form, reflected in Sunday’s tied-second in Memphis, while his approach play and putting has vastly improved this season. As always, erratic driving could represent the greatest obstacle to him completing the career grand slam. With his 46th birthday on Thursday, there are sure to be fireworks.
Martin Kaymer
A two-time major champion, the German knows how to get the job done and already boasts a US Open win. Kaymer has the talent and, perhaps more importantly, the temperament for golf’s sternest test: he grinds, stays patient, values minimising mistakes. He is on song, too, with recent top 10s in Ireland, England and Spain. Oh, and he is an excellent ball-striker when dialled in. Not a bad recipe for success, that.
Hideki Matsuyama
If the US Open rewards great ball-strikers, then the Japanese rising star must be a contender. Matsuyama has won once this year to go alongside five top 10s in all, and ranks 10th in strokes gained off the tee and third in strokes gained in approach play. The missed cut last time out was an anomaly. Has US Open pedigree, also, with two top-20 finishes. Could be his major breakthrough.
Patrick Reed
Gritty, super confident and never one to shy from the spotlight, the Marmite American will perhaps be more up for taking on Oakmont than most. Reed does have talent too, as evidenced by his superb approach game and incredible scrambling skills — two attributes required this week. His putting has been uncharacteristically poor, but wouldn’t it be typical if he turned that around to seal a first major? Tied-8th last time out.
Marc Leishman
Unlike Reed, the big Australian goes quietly about his business, exuding a calmness that will be well suited to a testing Oakmont track. Leishman has been performing in majors for some time now, with tied-4th at the 2013 Masters, then a tied-5th and tied-2nd at the past two British Opens. His two most recent starts have yielded promising results as well. A good scrambler, he could surprise this week.
