Tour Confidential: Who are you picking to win the U.S. Open?
Jon Rahm lines up a putt on Saturday on the 18th hole at Torrey Pines.
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Check in each day of this week’s U.S. Open for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the hottest topic in the tournament, and join the conversation by tweeting us @golf_com.
We are 18 holes away from crowning a U.S. Open champion. Russell Henley holds a share of the lead for the third straight day, this time being joined by Mackenzie Hughes, who shot four under on the back nine to jump ahead; and Louis Oosthuizen, who eagled the 18th on a 50-foot putt. Behind them are some of the biggest names in golf — defending champion Bryson DeChambeau, Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Matthew Wolff, Dustin Johnson, Xander Schauffele and Collin Morikawa. Who finishes atop the leaderboard come Sunday night?
What a rules gaffe taught us about U.S. Open co-leader Russell Henley
Zephyr Melton, assistant editor (@zephyrmelton): I predicted Rory McIlroy would make his move on Saturday, and I’m going to continue that theme and say he claims his second U.S. Open title. The third round was excellent for Rory, but even then it felt like he left a couple out there. If he can keep momentum rolling with some 5- and 6-footers, he’ll be a factor come Sunday night.
Luke Kerr-Dineen, Game Improvement Editor (@lukekerrdineen): It seems wrong for a swing as sweet as Oosthuizen’s to have only one major. I’d like to see him do it, but increasingly this seems like Bryson’s tournament. He doesn’t even seem like he’s playing well, and he’s within a whiff of the lead. I think he’ll shoot something around 70 on Sunday and go back-to-back.
Tim Reilly, Director of Social (@LifeofTimReilly): Lodewicus Theodorus “Louis” Oosthuizen is going to win the U.S. Open. (Thank you to GOLF’s own Kevin Cunningham for teaching me Louis’ full name today. It’s an all-timer.) Louis has experience and momentum on his side after going three-under over his final three holes on Saturday. He’ll get the job done on Sunday. The real question remaining is this: What victory song will King Louis sing on his private jet with the U.S. Open trophy by his side?
Josh Sens, senior writer (@joshsens): Jon Rahm fell back a stroke on Saturday, but that was with an unfortunate double bogey where he hit his drive near the lip of a bunker, his third shot hit the flag, and he three-putted. That kind of luck tends to even out. He’s been otherwise rock solid. Sunday, when a few more putts drop, I see the pre-tournament favorite making the oddsmakers look good.
Alan Bastable, executive editor (@alan_bastable): Sens beat me to it. If you told Rahm he’d shoot 72 Saturday and still be only three back, I think he would have happily taken that (not the 72; the three back part). Guy knows how to finish on this course, too. “I’ve had some good Sundays out here, and I’m confident about tomorrow.” Makes two of us.
Josh Berhow, managing editor (@Josh_Berhow): Russell Henley doesn’t have a great major pedigree but has been atop the leaderboard all week and has proven it’s no fluke with a solid PGA Tour season (four top 10s). His two-shot lead over some of the marquee chasers is enough for me to give him the nod. Loved the fire I saw today!
James Colgan, assistant editor (@jamescolgan26): What a truly bizarre leaderboard. Wouldn’t shock me if any of the three leaders finished on top. (How quickly we forget that another relative shocker, Rocco Mediate, was on the cusp of winning here in ’08.) Still, that wouldn’t be nearly as much fun as Rory’s redemption tour. He was CRUISING on Saturday. His game looked dialed in. And most importantly, he’s scarfing down a lucky chicken sandwich every evening. I might live to regret this, but I’m in, gosh darnit. Give me Rory.
Nick Piastowski, senior editor (@nickpia): Bryson. This all seems similar to last year, though this leaderboard is a little bit more packed at the top. Bombs away off the tee, short irons in, putt well — he was 11th in the field on Saturday in Strokes Gained: Putting. If that holds up — which it appears it could, as his score has improved each day — he’ll defend his championship. And then we’ll all check www.twitter.com/BKoepka.
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