After a more than unusual year filled with plenty of interruptions, the 2020 U.S. Open is finally here.
Let me tell you folks, we are ALL HERE FOR IT. This isn’t just another championship event. This is THE open championship of these fifty United States. It is this nation’s national championship of golf.
It’s a damn big deal.
Normally we start with the player storylines when previewing tournaments, but not this week.
The West Course at Winged Foot is going to be the star of the show this week.
This week is going to be absolute carnage. This is going top be one of those years where the winning score is over par.
Mark. That. Down
I’m thinking somewhere in the +2 to +4 range will take home the trophy this week. Why am I so confident in this prediction you ask?
Two reasons: The rough is absolutely treacherous. Golf.com tweeted out a wonderful visual representation of it and I highly recommend checking it out if you haven’t seen it.
It involves an Arnold Palmer drink can and rough so thick it would make weaker men faint.
The next reason is the greens. It is going to be like putting on glass this week. Once again, the good folks at golf.com gave us an incredible visual at just how ruthless these greens will be this week.
According to Rory McIlroy, the greens are fairly receptive when hitting into them. To have a good shot of hitting one close this week will require accuracy off the tee.
The fairways at Winged Foot are very tight, and as we have already seen, you don’t want to end up in the rough this week.
Winged Foot: A Brief History
Winged Foot is considered one of the top-10 best courses in the United States. It is known as being the second-most private club in the New York area, being beat out by the 2018 U.S. Open host, Shinnecock Hills.
Winged Foot was constructed between 1921 and 1923 by A. W. Tillinghast.
The West Course, which is what the pros will be playing this weekend, is a par 72 measuring 7,264 yards.
This course has hosted several Championship events in its illustrious history, most recently the 2006 U.S. Open.
Things to Watch this week.
Will D.J. be able to continue the scorched earth tear he has been on lately? He cruised through the FedEx Cup playoffs like a man on the run on his way to a $15 million dollar payday.
Can Phil Mickelson finally claim that elusive U.S. Open Championship to complete the career grand slam? Completing this feat at Winged Foot would make it that much sweeter for Phil after what happened in the 2006 U.S. Open.
Can Gary Woodland repeat this year? Woodland won last year at Pebble Beach.
This week will call for the style of game that Woodland brings to the table, controlled distance, superb ball striking, and solid touch and accuracy around the greens.
Will we see another (or the same) young gun claim the title? Collin Morikawa was the first of the “next generation” to break into the “Major Champs Club.”
Can he add another to his belt or will it be Wolff, Fitzpatrick, of Hovland that claim the title this year?
Let’s make some money folks!
I like McIlory as this week’s “Best Bet” at 16-1. The 2011 U.S. Champ knows how to win on the big stage.
He has struggled as of late, but with the stress of waiting for his daughter to be born behind him look for him to be prepared to tackle the field this week. He is consistently one of the best off the tee and that skill will be needed this week.
This week’s “Dark Horse” is last year’s Champion, Woodland, with 60-1 odds. As discussed above, he has the skill set to perform well this week.
It is just a matter of if he can that A-Game that will be required.
Finally, we have Kevin Kisner as our “Long Shot” with 100-1 odds. Kisner’s game sets up really well this week. Much in the same way that Woodland’s does. He has been on the cusp so many times this year. It would not surprise me if claims glory this week.
There you have it! Go lock those in while they are hot and fresh!
How to Watch
Round 1 — Thursday, September 17
Early TV coverage: 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Golf Channel
Daytime TV coverage: 2-5 p.m. on NBC
Late coverage: 5-7 p.m. on Peacock
Additional coverage via live streaming on USOpen.com
Featured Groups (early) — 7:55 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
Featured Holes — 8:10 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.
Featured Groups (late) — 1:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Round 2 — Friday, September 18
Early coverage: 7:30-9:30 a.m. on Peacock
Daytime TV coverage: 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Golf Channel
Late TV coverage: 4-7 p.m. on NBC
Additional coverage via live streaming on USOpen.com
Featured Groups (early) — 7:55 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
Featured Holes — 8:10 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.
Featured Groups (late) — 1:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Round 3 — Saturday, September 19
Early coverage: 9-11 a.m. on Peacock
TV coverage: 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on NBC
Additional coverage via live streaming on USOpen.com
Featured Groups (early) — 8 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
Featured Holes — 8:10 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.
Featured Groups (late) — 1:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Round 4 — Sunday, September 20
Early coverage: 8-10 a.m. on Peacock
Daytime TV coverage: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Golf Channel
Late TV coverage: 12-6 p.m. on NBC
Additional coverage via live streaming on USOpen.com
Featured Groups (early) — 7:55 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
Featured Holes — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Featured Groups (late) — 1:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
