U.S. Open Preview and Predictions

Well, the easy news is that Tiger’s not playing.  Phil Mickelson will also be a no-show for the U.S. Open, the difference is Phil doesn’t know it yet. 

The NBC promos all tease that maybe Phil will finally win the elusive U.S. Open which he has come so close to before.  But he won’t.  In fact, Phil will be home with his family on Father’s Day this year destroying a box of Krispy Kream glazed donuts.

Phil isn’t in top form.  He’s old.  He’s wild on his drives. His short game magic isn’t there this year.  Plus with lightning fast greens, heavy rough, and anticipated rain slashing out of the second cut won’t lead to many bogeys.  Prediction:  Phil struggles to break 80 in round 1 and is trunk slammin’ after Friday.

So that takes care of Tiger and Phil.  What about the rest of them…

1.)    This isn’t the Masters.  This course will be insane to play and a no-name first timer will not be able to Forrest Gump his way around to a sneaky victory.  To win this Open a player will need to be GREAT not just good.  Sorry Schwartzel.

2.)    No Repeat:  Graeme McDowell just isn’t playing well.  He’s been puking up his worst scores in recent memory.  Not sure what it is, but it certainly won’t fix itself on a US Open track.  McDowell finishes Top-30…but no trophy

3.)    Luke Donald? Sorry…Not this year.  His driving accuracy is sub-par and that will lead to early bogeys.  He’ll battle to a Top-15, but won’t even be in the conversation late Sunday

4.)    Lee Westwood?  Man he’s good…but doesn’t seem to have that killer instinct or crazed passion that leads to something great on Sunday.  I see him tied for the lead going into Sunday but just not pulling it together.  3^rd Place for Monty…I mean Westwood

5.)    How about the babies?  Rory or Rickey?  Fowler will have a crazy score card every day.  Something like 5 birdies, 3 bogeys, and a double.  He’ll be a sneaky top 5, but won’t be able to hack it with the big boys all week.   Rory?  Ahhh Rory.  I’m sorry my friend but your torture is not over yet.  He’ll be in the final pairing with Westwood Sunday.  He’ll have the lead at some point Sunday.  And he’ll make a double bogey early Sunday.  And then the Ghosts of Augusta will return.   Rory’s not done suffering.  He’ll win a couple Opens in his career, but this year he’s still too fragile.  6^th place for Rory.

And the winner is….

There are years where is all comes together.  Years when everything you dream for as a sports fan happens. Your beloved Bruins win the Stanley Cup in 7 games (it’s happening damnit!). Your passion for the Red Sox early in the season pays off with a bounce back to the best record in the AL by June while the Yankees crumble to pieces. And even you’re most hated college rival, Ohio State, destroys itself in a blaze of agony.  So what does this have to do with the U.S. Open?  Everything is coming up Boston baby!

Nick Watney is winning the Open!  Is it because he’s Top-20 in Driving Distance, Greens in Regulation, and Putting?  Is it because he’s 4^th in scoring average?    Is it because he eats up Par 4’s and will make birdies when most struggle for par?  Is it because he has 7 top 10’s and is getting hot at the right time?  Is it because it’s just his time for the golfing gods to smile upon him?

NO!  It’s because he is cousins with the beautiful sideline reporter for the Red Sox, Heidi Watney!  The Bruins are hot! The Red Sox are hot!  Heidi Watney is hot!  …and by association…Nick Watney is hot (on the golf course)!

So Mr. Watney, when you win the U.S. Open I think you owe it to all of Red Sox Nation (and your cousin) to throw out the first pitch at Fenway Park when the Padres come to town. 

And in advance Red Sox Nation and the City of Boston say, You’re Welcome.