US Open Predictions
Golf predictions are the worst. But I like options. So I’ll give you my final twosome – the two guys who I think have the best chance to win – at the 114th United States Open. And I’ll throw in a few more names, free of charge.
My final twosome
pga.com
Bubba Watson – 1st time major champions have been the thing at the US Open. I’m going against the grain. Bubba’s 7th in greens in regulation and 2nd in bogey avoidance. But I really like Bubba because the US Open lacks thick rough. I think this plays into the hands of the most creative shotmaker in golf.
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Jordan Spieth – The kid is knocking on the door and he’s destined to win soon. Spieth knows how to score when it matters – 11th in scrambling, 25th in sand saves, and 29th in strokes gained. He’s contended in the two biggest tournaments in 2014. Why couldn’t this be the week he goes from contending to winning?
Penultimate group
Phil Mickelson – Shocker. Not for the obvious reasons. Phil is 7th in putting from 5-10 feet. He’s 8th in sand saves and in the top 40 in scrambling. But when Phil wins majors, he wins them when he has two consecutive tune-ups before each major. Four times in his careers this has happened, the only time this didn’t happen was the 2005 PGA Championship. He’s ready. Will he be good enough?
Rory McIlroy – All world talent. Probably the most talented player in this tournament. Makes a lot of one putts, a lot of 3-5 footers, and he scrambles well. We all know he hits the ball a country mile. I would be stunned if he’s not in contention on Sunday.
Others to watch
Sergio Garcia – 1st in bogey avoidance, top 5 in scrambling, top 10 in strokes gained. Can you trust a guy who’s not sure he can win a major?
Jimmy Walker – Phenomenal year, 1st in FedEx points. At the top of the ranks in strokes gained and greens in regulation. Also fits the bill as a first time winner.
Tiger vs Rory – 48 Hours Later
If a tree falls in the forest, and nobody is there to see it, does it make a sound?
If the two best golfers in the world play an exhibition in China, and nobody is there to watch it, does anyone really care?
I didn’t. And I love Tiger and Rory. Why would I pay money to watch an Internet feed of this exhibition match, especially when I can be doing better things in the middle of the night? Like sleeping.
Well, I stumbled upon Ryan Lavner’s piece on golfchannel.com yesterday. I think I figured out why I cared.
http://www.golfchannel.com/news/golftalkcentral/rory-clips-tiger-by-a-shot-in-duel-at-jinsha-lake/
Here’s the key paragraph from Lavner’s article:
On the 10th hole, Woods admitted to “struggling with Sean (Foley),” his swing coach, saying, “I’ve been hitting my short irons so (expletive) far.” He went on to explain how he rarely took a divot with his short clubs under former coach Hank Haney, but now, though, “all of a sudden, I’m taking divots.”
Well, well, well. So Tiger is fully aware of the issues we all see. His short iron game is simply not as good as it once, nor is it on par with the rest of his current game. Now, I have no qualms with Sean Foley. I also have no issues with Hank Haney either. I have a lot of respect for both teachers. I will say this:
I think Hank’s way is the better way.
To take it one step further, I will paraphrase a comment made by Johnny Miller during the final round of this year’s Ryder Cup. Miller commented that the best iron players hit their short irons low and their long irons high, and they take a more shallow divot.
I’m not saying Tiger should go back to Haney. I’m not sure Haney would have him. Sean Foley is Tiger’s coach and that’s not likely to change for awhile. At what point do Tiger and Foley work together to flatten(even slightly) the swing his wedges? He shouldn’t be thinking about large divots over the ball. He should be thinking about shallow divots and crisp, consistent contact. Tiger’s short iron woes are a huge part what’s keeping him from winning major championships.
We all remember Tiger’s magical win at the 2008 US Open. It’s arguably the greatest tournament win of all time. It’s the greatest tournament win I’ve ever seen. But when Tiger tees it up at Augusta next April, it will be nearly five years since that US Open win.
Did anyone ever think Tiger Woods would go five years without a major championship?
Matt's Box Seat Observations 