Fantasy golf preview: US Open - USA TODAY
(Jim Dedmon, USA TODAY Sports)
The 2015 U.S. Open’s “buzz index†is turned up to 11 because of the course layout’s accompanying drama ahead of this season’s second major. The par 70 Chambers Bay Golf Club, in University Place, Wash., hosts the event for the first time and will test everyone in the field â€" one that includes 15-year-old amateur Cole Hammer and virtually every notable face in the sport.
The story lines are endless, with none more captivating than the course’s variable layout. The first and 18th holes are each adjustable as par 4 or par 5 and will alternate. Tee shots can change daily, and prevailing winds drastically alter how several holes are played. The course should run around 7,742 yards, on average.
Chambers Bay is just as mentally taxing as it can be physically challenging to hike. Nearly every shot presents the threat of a high number … adding fatigue doesn’t help. The putting is daunting, provided players can even get their approach shots to stay on most of the surfaces.
It really is anyone’s event to win, but in situations like this, fantasy players are best to err on the side of caution and build more conservatively. Doing everything to position oneself for a full lineup come the weekend is a must. We’ll see low scores, probably from familiar faces. Conversely, the pros assuredly will post several ugly numbers. The winning aggregate may not reach the mid-single digits when all is said and done.
Build around
Rory McIlroy: The world’s top-ranked golfer had some time to recharge his batteries and will take a shot at adding another major title to his resume on a course that he is capable of overpowering. Even if he doesn’t need to go long, McIlroy’s precision is second to none when he is on hot streak.
Hideki Matsuyama: He has no glaring weakness and will win a major championship sooner rather than later. Matsuyama has authored five straight top-20 results, with three being top-10s. Two of those were fifth-place finishes. He ranks second in strokes-gained: tee-to-green, ninth in greens in regulation (70.1%) and third in total driving (accuracy rating plus distance rating).
Jordan Spieth: Everything one could ask for in a potential favorite can be found in Spieth. His game has cooled a bit after a torrid run around his Masters win, but he should be fresh. It can’t hurt having former Chambers Bay caddie Michael Greller on the bag, either.
Phil Mickelson: Lefty’s well-documented six second-place U.S. Open finishes â€" without completing the career grand slam â€" actually take a back seat to his creativity at a variable track. The cagy veteran has the advantage of tremendous experience in pressure-packed situations and a magic wand somewhere in that bag.
Justin Rose: Including a missed cut at The PLAYERS Championship, Rose has finishes of T2, 1, 2 and T17 in his last five events. His game matches practically any style of play.
Draws
Jimmy Walker: Way too good of a putter to not get a starting nod in DFS play. Most fairways here are forgiving enough if he’s loose off the box.
Keegan Bradley: Starting to prove we cannot use his switch to a short putter as an excuse not to play him. Bradley has made five of his last six cuts, finishing T22 or better each time, including a T8 as recently as the Memorial.
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Matt Kuchar: Safe play for making the cut. Rely on his nearly automatic ability to get out of trouble.
Brandt Snedeker: Arguably only Walker is better with the flat stick … Sneds is a lock for any format and has survived 14 of 17 wraparound cuts.
Kevin Na: T20 is his worst showing in last eight events … consistently in contention and rarely looking out of control. With that said, fair or not, he has a slight potential for implosion in unnerving situations.
Kevin Kisner: Battled through a back injury last week and managed to finish T8 at the Memorial Tournament. Playing as hot as anyone in the field.
Brooks Koepka: Could be a wild card based on relative inexperience, but Koepka has something to prove. He can reach any par 5 in two and has the firepower to contend.
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Ryan Moore: The Tacoma, Wash., resident understands the demands of the course and the weather conditions. Consider him a dark horse.
Chris Kirk: Can be inconsistent but has played well enough lately, including a win at the Crowne Plaza Invitational in late May. Fits the demands of the course.
Others to consider/cap relief
â€" Jim Furyk
â€" Hunter Mahan
â€" Bill Haas
â€" Marc Leishman
â€" Russell Henley
â€" Zach Johnson
â€" Robert Streb
â€" George McNeill
â€" Erik Compton
â€" Michael Putnam
Wild cards
Ian Poulter: Has the game but has already been vocal against this course (shocked face) and may not have the temperament to keep it together on an unfamiliar, variable track.
Ben Martin: Didn’t make the cut at the Masters. Has only one missed cut since, including three top-20s and five top-40s. Ranks 13th in GIR. Closer to draw than fade.
Tony Finau: Beastly in his last four starts (T8, T10, T19, T16, respectively) but faces the pressure of competing in his first major event.
Ryan Moore: Ranks third in scoring average and 10th in total strokes gained. Probably not in contention to win and has been vocal against the course.
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