US Open 2018 Recap
U.S. Open Day 1 Recap
By Brian Hughes
PGA Master Professional
Keiser University College of Golf
So let’s dream a little: You’re in the U.S. Open and after one round you are tied with Tiger Woods, Jordan Spieth, Sergio Garcia, Ernie Els, Adam Scott, Jon Rahm, and ahead of Jason Day and Rory McIlroy. Sounds exciting right? Except at this years’ U.S. Open, that would put you in a tie for 101st place! The winner so far in the tournament is easily Shinnecock Hills Golf Course.
High winds and fast greens combined to make some of the best players in the world struggle mightily, with their chances of making the cut unlikely unless they turn it around quickly on Friday. The good news for them is that the winds are predicted to calm down some, especially Friday morning, which should give the players a chance to move past the cut line. The bad news is that of the past 19 U.S. Open winners, 17 of them were within 4 shots of the lead after day one. That means unless you are at 3-over par or better, odds are not in your favor.
Oh by the way, the world’s best player, Dustin Johnson is looking good as one of the players tied for the lead. My pick prior to Thursday was Justin Rose, who is currently at 1-over par, so we’ll see how that prediction holds.
So if you like watching championship golf, tune in the next three days. If you like watching the best players in the world struggle like the rest of us, be sure to watch!
U.S. Open Day 2 Recap
By David Wixson
PGA Master Professional
Keiser University College of Golf
Round two of this year’s US Open Golf Championship at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club saw drastically different (easier) conditions and thus lower scores than round one. Although the course played easier on Friday due to some rain which softened it a bit, several well-known favorites still missed the cut following poor play in the first round. Notables to miss the cut include (and scores): Jordan Spieth (78, 71), Rory McIlroy (80, 70), Jason Day (79, 73) & Tiger Woods (78, 72).
Meanwhile, world number one, Dustin Johnson, managed back-to-back under par scores of 69, 67 to finish 4-under and holds a 4 shot lead heading into the weekend.
The conditions for Saturday’s 3rd round are expected to change again with some sun and wind expected to dry the course as the round progresses. Round 3 of golf tournaments is known as “moving day” where players try to move up the leaderboard and back into contention for Sunday’s Final Round.
Some big names are headed home, but there are still plenty of great players who can put some pressure on Johnson with a good third round. There is also the possibility that Johnson could play poorly and “move back” to the pack. Moving Day can be a 2-way street. Either way, Johnson cannot get complacent. He will need two more solid rounds of golf to take home the trophy this year. Stay tuned…
U.S. Open Day 3 Recap
By Frank Longabucco
PGA Certified Professional
Keiser University College of Golf
As I settle in to watch the third round of the U.S. Open Golf Championship, it becomes quickly obvious that the best players in the world are hoping to survive. Dustin Johnson the world number one, and leading by four shots to start the day is already six over par.
The story today is the beast called Shinnecock Hills Golf Club. Under normal conditions, this golf course is crazy difficult. Today with the wind and freaky fast, firm greens the world’s best players are on edge. This championship is now about who has the mental fortitude to survive. Not surprisingly, the top four players at the moment have all won major championships.
As a fan, I’m really enjoying the golf. Not sure the players feel the same way but it’s nice to see par being a great score. I especially appreciate seeing the great shots around the greens. Some players will be complaining, but not Tony Finau who made up eleven shots and has moved up to fourth place.
So who has the mental toughness to win tomorrow? I think that will be the player who can best control his emotions. Dustin Johnson has survived today and will win tomorrow.
U.S. Open Day 4 Recap
By Ken Martin
PGA Certified Professional
Keiser University College of Golf
Koep-it
Perhaps the best summary of a U.S. Open Championship was provided by Paul Azinger with his comment that one is only as good as their putter at this level. Brooks Koepka provided the evidence by closing the deal and winning the 118th U.S. Open with clutch putts down the stretch to edge Tommy Fleetwood by one stroke at 281 (+1 over par) for 72-holes.
While there may have been questions after round three regarding the fairness of the course setup relative to the increasing dryness of the greens, Koepka endured. No greater contrast was provided than watching world #1 Dustin Johnson lose his touch on the same surfaces that Koepka mastered. Additionally, Fleetwood, on the same greens, fired a record-tying 63 by draining several putts of prodigious length.
After two days, the scenario shifted from the best known shooting it out, to the field being flipped with a couple near stars rising to the final pairing. Championship golf once again set the stage; the improbable moment of a lifetime for Berger and Finau, or the battle of the titans DJ and Koepka. As Tiger stated, the U.S. Open is the ultimate, and the final nine holes left us with the titans, and shots over the bow by Reed, Finau, and Fleetwood. In the end, Koepka kept it. He is the seventh in history to record repeat wins in the U.S. Open. A hearty congratulation to a great championship and a deserving champion.
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