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U.S. Open 2023: Editor's Picks and Predictions - Favourites, Outsiders, Wildcards
It's major week again and the world's best golfers are gathering in Los Angeles Country Club for the 123rd U.S. Open. It'll be the first time golfers from both the PGA and LIV Tours will come together after the recent shocking news about the merger.
Now that the full field list has been confirmed, our editor's have gone through and picked out the players to keep an eye on this week.
U.S. Open 2023: Favourites
The FLG editors have picked out the hot favourites to watch this week in Los Angeles.
Brooks Koepka: It wasn't long ago, Brooks was being placed in the 'Outsider' category after a spate of injuries and a dip in form. That all changed this year after he racked up a victory on the LIV Tour, a T2 at the Masters and another win at the U.S. PGA Championship. The five time major winner is the one to beat!
Brooks Koepka: What's In The Bag 2023
Jon Rahm: The 2021 U.S. Open winner claimed his second major at the Masters back in April and has added a further three PGA titles to his name this year. Leads the FedEx Cup in points, he's a strong contender this week. Rahm WITB 2023
Jon Rahm: What's In The Bag 2023
Scottie Scheffler: Second behind Rahm in the FedEx Cup points this year but topping the world rankings, Scheffler's having another steller season. With two titles to his name already in 2023, including The Player's Championship, you have to go back to October last year to find him finishing outside the top 12. That's incredible golf.
Scottie Scheffler: What's In The Bag 2023
Rory McIlroy: For a player of his calibre, it's quite surprising that McIlroy hasn't won a major since 2014, so he is more than overdue another. Won THE CJ CUP early in the season this year and has racked up a further five top 10s since, three coming in his last three starts. Hasn't finished outside top 10 in the U.S. Open since 2018.
Rory McIlroy: What's In The Bag 2023
Viktor Hovland: Major winner in the making, Norwegian superstar Hovland is having a great 2023. Claimed victory at Jack's tournament The Memorial this month and has also racked up a further seven top 10s this year. Is this the week he gets over the major line?
Viktor Hovland: What's In The Bag 2023
Matt Fitzpatrick: The defending U.S. Open champion claimed his second PGA Tour title back in April at Hilton Head. Handful of other top 10s, including a T9 at The Memorial earlier this month, has Matt trending in the right direction again. Defending a major title is rare to see but this young Englishman has the game to do it.
Matt Fitzpatrick: What's In The Bag 2023
U.S. Open 2023: Outsiders
Outside the hot favs, here's the FLG editor's picks for who to watch.
Cameron Smith: The current British Open champion claimed an early victory on the LIV Golf League after switching to the tour last year. A T9 at last month's PGA Championship has Smith in good form.
Cameron Smith: What's In The Bag 2023
Tony Finau: Since July last year Finau has been in scintillating form, capturing four victories including back-to-back wins. Yet to claim a major, could this be the week he breaks that duck?
Tony Finau: What's In The Bag 2023
Tommy Fleetwood: Although he's yet to win on the PGA Tour, Fleetwood is a proven champion on the DP World Tour with six worldwide victories. He lost in a playoff last week at the RBC Canadian Open to Nick Taylor, he's due a reprieve surely?
Tommy Fleetwood: What's In The Bag 2023
Jordan Spieth: Lost in a playoff against Matt Fitzpatrick at Hilton Head back in April, has sprinkled in a total of six top 10s this season, including a T5 during his last outing at The Memorial earlier this month. Always a major threat.
Jordan Spieth: What's In The Bag 2023
Rickie Fowler: After a few years in the doldrums, Rickie Fowler has re-ignited his career in 2023 with ten top 15's. His last two starts have ended T6 and T9, could he complete the comeback this week with an inaugural major?
Rickie Fowler: What's In The Bag 2023
U.S. Open 2023: Wildcards
Here's the best of the 'long shots' from the FLG editors.
Adrian Meronk: The Polish superstar became the first man from his country to win on the DP World Tour when he claimed the 2022 Horizon Irish Open. He's won twice more since then with the most recent coming last month at the DS Automobiles Italian Open. He knows how to win, could an upset be on the cards in Los Angeles?
Joaquin Niemann: The 24-year-old Chilean burst onto the PGA Tour, snapped up two victories then moved to LIV where he's now team captain of Torque GC. Niemann is one of the longest hitters out there and a major is definitely in the pipeline for this budding superstar.
Phil Mickelson: He couldn't could he? It's the one major that's eluded Lefty but he rewrote the history books back in 2021 when he became the oldest winner of the US PGA Championship. And did you see him at the Masters this year? Final round 65 (-7) to finish T2 and claim the lowest round ever for an over 50-year-old at the tournament.
