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.
Matthew Wolff, at just 21 years old, sits at five under and takes a two-stroke lead over Bryson DeChambeau into the final round of the U.S. Open. Louis Oosthuizen is one under and four shots back; Hideki Matsuyama, Xander Schauffele and Harris English are five back; and Rory McIlroy is six back. Who will hoist the trophy at Winged Foot Sunday night?
Sean Zak, senior editor (@sean_zak): Whichever one of Bryson or Wolff drive it better. I’ll take Bryson, who drove it like a stallion this summer at Detroit Golf Club and chased Wolff down.
Alan Shipnuck, senior writer (@AlanShipnuck): Rory. He’s just far enough back to freewheel it and post a number. He’s played two of the best rounds of the week, a 67 on Thursday and a 68 on Saturday. I think three under wins, and Rory can get there with a 66. It’s time.
Alan Bastable, executive editor (@alan_bastable): The next gen is officially upon us: Morikawa at the West Coast major, followed by Wolff, on Sunday, at the East Coast major. Pretty incredible given their combined age is 44, but when you can hit only two fairways and shoot 65 at Winged Foot, as Wolff did in the third round, you are ready to win a U.S. Open. I think these fanless venues have provided the young guys a huge advantage (or, more accurately, less of a disadvantage). Don’t care what anyone says: battling down the stretch in front of 400 people is not the same thing as doing so in front of 40,000.
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Josh Berhow, managing editor (@Josh_Berhow): I said I wouldn’t pick Rory McIlroy to win this golf tournament at the beginning of the week, and I didn’t. But I will now. He may be six back, but only six guys sit in front of him. Rory gets hot toward the end of the front nine, goes on a heater and gets in with something like a 66. Then he waits, and the U.S. Open trophy (barely) falls into his lap. He’s been really solid all week (best in the field off the tee and 11th in putting) and I’m banking on his experience being the X-factor.
Nick Piastowski, senior editor (@nickpia): I very much want to type in Bryson or Wolffy here, but let’s go with Xander Schauffele. Steady as he goes. That plays on Sunday at the Open. Let’s have some fun, though, and say he wins in a playoff over Bryson — on Monday due to Sunday darkness!
Dylan Dethier, senior writer (@dylan_dethier): I ran into Bamberger on No. 18 today and he said, very solemnly, “Well, I guess it’s obvious who’s going to win the tournament now,” as if it was all but over. “Bryson?” I asked, after a beat. He looked disappointed. “Louis!” I’ll take Bryson, though. He’s very good. He has the same game as Wolff, it’s just generally a slightly better version.
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