2015 US Open Prediction and Preview
2015 US Open Prediction
The United States Open Golf Championship is an annual golf event and one of four that make up the major tournaments of the golf season. Staged at different golf courses across the United States, the US Open is renowned for being a difficult set-up and thus scoring is difficult. The 2015 US Open will be held at Chambers Bay and will mark the 115th playing of the tournament. It will be the first time that the tournament has been held in the state of Washington.
Some of the most successful players in US Open history include four time winners Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan and Jack Nicklaus, plus three time winners Tiger Woods and Hale Irwin.
As mentioned above, this will be the first time that US Open will be played at Chambers Bay. Located in Washington, on the shore of Puget Sound, Chambers Bay selection as a venue for the US Open has caused much debate. Despite having no trees, the course is very exposed, meaning wind could become a serious factor, in addition to the rough and deep bunkers. Far from being a traditional US Open course, Chambers Bay is more reminiscent of a British links course and is what one might expect from the Open Championship.
A number of players, including Ian Poulter and Ryan Palmer have questioned the choice of course and USGA Executive Director, Mike Davis, has warned that players who turn up to the event without any prior practice at Chambers Bay, could really struggle.
In terms of potential winners of the 2015 US Open, one player who does have an advantage over the rest of the field, is current Masters champion, Jordan Spieth. Before linking up with the young American golfer, Spieth’s caddie, Michael Greller, use to work as a caddie at Chambers Bay. Considering the comments of Mike Davis, this local knowledge could turn out to be a distinct advantage. Spieth is currently ranked as the second best golfer in the world and has two victories in addition to eight top ten finishes on the 2015 PGA Tour. Spieth is one of the favourites at 8/1 with Bet365, along with Rory McIlroy at 11/2, to win the 2015 US Open.
However, as previously stated, this year the US Open will play more like the Open Championship and this is the one major tournament capable of producing a shock winner. Therefore, the 2015 US Open champion could be a surprise name. McIlroy is notoriously poor in windy conditions and this could rule the world number one out of contention. With no trees on the course, it could favour long drivers such as Bubba Watson at 28/1 and Dustin Johnson at 18/1 but good angles still have to be found, in conjunction with length.
Crowd favourite Phil Mickelson at 22/1, is yet to win the US Open and with his excellent scrambling skills, something which is likely to be a key component of the winner, Mickelson could finally complete his grand slam of major golf titles.
Finally and possibly the best equipped to win at Chambers Bay, is Jason Day at 20/1. Boasting a powerful drive and good scrambling skills, Day has a fine US Open record and performed well at Whistling Straits, a course which may provide the best form comparison for Chambers Bay.
The 2015 US Open is sure to be an exciting event, especially with course conditions offering up a new challenge for players. Come the final round, expect to see Jordan Spieth, Phil Mickelson and Jason Day in contention for the title.