U.S. Open Heading for the Hills

With a prize fund of US$12m, this month's U.S. Open will see the winner bank the first-ever US$2million champion's cheque

Dustin Johnson poses with the winner's trophy after winning the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club last year

Winning the US Open is clearly one thing, but the pressures of coming into mid-June and the USGA setting the golf course up to demand the best and protect its integrity and do it all over again the following year is clearly something many great past champions have found all too tough.

Greats of the game such as Walter Hagen, Jack Nicklaus, Hale Irwin, Lee Trevino, Tom Watson, Andy North, Retief Goosen, Ernie Els, and even Tiger Woods all won the US Open on more than one occasion, but a successful title defense eluded them.

Looking for a prospective US Open Championship winner in particular is never easy, especially with 14 different champions over the past 14 years, but, given the sheer length and demanding nature of the course, together with the physical and mental demands of closing the deal on the biggest stage of all, one could be forgiven for thinking that the longest hitters – like Dustin Johnson - will be at a distinct advantage.

Hitting the green in regulation (GIR) could be key to winning the event too, DJ is up top too for GIR at 75.21%, followed by Jordan Spieth (73.89%), García (73.15%), Matsuyama (71.2%), Rahm (70.58%) and Rose (70.14%), these ‘Steady Eddies,’ with length on their side too are likely to be in the mix.

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Written by Mike Wilson

Photography by Courtesy of Erin Hills Golf Club

Click here to see the published article.

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