US Open
A new venue in Chambers Bay outside Seattle will give up home field advantage to absolutely nobody. Chambers Bay should play more like a windswept links than a traditional parkland Open course; in fact, the course setup will likely be similar to Pinehurst with a focus on natural rough and space off the tee.
If Mickelson is going to claim his national Open, this could be his kind of place. He’s contended in what could be considered a similar venue in Shinnecock Hills in the past and his Scottish Open-Open Championship double in 2013 proved to all, himself included, that he can win in windy and bouncy conditions.
Picking contenders at a venue hardly anyone will have seen is a mug’s game but nonetheless:
Dustin Johnson - presuming he’s back in action and match ready, his win in the gales of Kapalua at the 2013 Tournament of Champions, and his two victories at Pebble Beach point to a potential affinity with a course like Chambers Bay.
Martin Kaymer - the defending champion and the man who beat Bubba Watson for the 2010 US PGA Championship at Whistling Straits, a layout with infinite similarities to Chambers Bay. But let’s see how he copes with that astonishing Abu Dhabi meltdown first.
Jason Day - twice a runner-up in US Opens and tied for fourth last year. Has patience under adversity, is a fighter and a good wind player. Well and truly overdue for a run of good health too.
Rickie Fowler - top fives in all four majors in 2014 resulted a breakout year for the 26-year old and placed him alongside Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as the only men in history to do so. Has matured into a class player to go along with the class act he clearly is. ‘US Open Champion Rickie Fowler’ has a nice ring to it.
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