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 have 18 holes remaining to decide the winner of the 2023 U.S. Open. Wyndham Clark and Rickie Fowler lead at 10 under, one back is Rory McIlroy and three off the lead is Scottie Scheffler. Harris English is four back and both Xander Schauffele and Dustin Johnson are five off the lead. So, who wins?
Sean Zak, senior writer (@Sean_Zak): It’s so obvious that Scottie Scheffler is going to win. He’s been the best golfer this year — yes, Jon Rahm included — and this week that putter has returned to solid form. The front nine is gettable, but it’s the back nine that becomes a contest of who can hit greens and make pars. That’s Scheffler.
Josh Berhow, managing editor (@Josh_Berhow): Oh boy, let’s go through the list. Wyndham has played well but he’s the new guy here, so let’s move on to Rickie. Can he actually get his first major? I’m not so sure; it would be a great story though. Rory McIlroy seems like the betting favorite, but we’ve been here before with him the last eight years and you know how that goes. But OK, maybe this is the time. I’ll say Rory will win, but my second option is Scottie Scheffler, lurking three back, to catch the leaders and win major No. 2.
Rickie Fowler, Rory McIlroy, in second stage of careers, both searching for meaningful major
James Colgan, news and features editor (@jamescolgan26): Rickie has been the best golfer in this field by about a hundred miles this week. He’s playing like he’s got nothing to lose. Yeah, we’ve been here before, but I really think Sunday is the day he gets it done.
Josh Sens, senior writer (@joshsens): Hate to be so obvious but that closing stretch by Scheffler on Saturday does not bode well for the rest of the contenders. As heartwarming as it would be for Fowler to get his first or for Rory to get off the snide or for a great story like Clark to win, the closing stretch is going to call for macho ball-striking — and no one does that better these days than your World No. 1.
Nick Piastowski, senior editor (@nickpia): Wyndham Clark. Yeah, yeah, I’m a sucker for a good story, and the story of him and his mother’s memory is as good as it gets. But the game’s always been there, and now the intangibles are lining up. Golfweek’s Adam Schupak described how he’s been working with mental coach Julie Elion. That’s big. He won at the Wells Fargo Championship. That’s big. He survived Saturday’s big stage. That’s big. Sunday will be a whole different animal, of course. But this is his moment. The club twirl on 18 on Saturday will be on the highlight packages for years to come.