Who will win the U.S. Open?
Writers from around the Tribune Co. discuss who they think will win golf’s U.S. Open. Check back throughout the day for more updates, and feel free to weigh in with a comment of your own.
Bill Dwyre, Los Angeles Times
When asked to pick winners in this occasional feature, I almost always pick older, dull guys, because I am one. But not this time. My pick for U.S. Open winner this week is Steve Stricker, and the pick is based on his recent TV commercial for Avis, where he reveals that he is not at all an old, dull guy, but a SAVAGE. Get the children off the streets of Philadelphia. Stricker is coming. You’ll know when you hear the polka music.
Tom Housenick, Allentown Morning Call
Tiger Woods may be a lot of things that disgust me, but he again is the world’s best golfer.
The likelihood that he will win at Merion is increased considering his track record of following up bad weeks with big paydays.
In 2012, he had a stretch of T-40, missed cut, T-40. He then won two of his next three starts.
In 2009, he missed the British Open cut, then won the next two events and followed that with two seconds.
In his most recent start of 2013, Woods finished tied for 65th at the Memorial, including a third-round 79.
With soft conditions at a shorter Merion, it’s hard to think anyone else has a better shot of hoisting the trophy.
Teddy Greenstein, Chicago Tribune
Hogan. Trevino. Graham … Woods?
Tiger’s an enormous favorite to end his five-year major championship drought, but something tells me – maybe his tie for 65th at the Memorial – that he won’t be sharp enough this week.
My pick is Keegan Bradley, but there’s a qualifier. This assumes he actually gets some sleep Wednesday night. Bradley is a Vermont native and rabid Boston sports fan who has watched every Bruins game. With a Wednesday night puck drop slated for a little after 8, combined with a 7:10 a.m. Thursday tee time, this presents a major challenge for the winner of the 2011 PGA Championship.
“I can’t believe that,” he said of his bad luck. “It’s 7:10, and for this course [because of logistics], you have to get here at about 5.”
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