A Brave New World
So how’s your week been going? Well, if you’re involved with the game of golf in any capacity, it’s been inarguably the most monumental week since Old Tom Morris whipped out his cleek (hehe) nearly two centuries ago. After two-plus years of agita, in a shock that rivaled The Sopranos finale, the PGA Tour, Saudi PIF (LIV Golf), and DP World Tour came to an agreement to end all litigation against one-another, and merge into a unified global golf entity, just like The Shark and Uncle Phil wanted all along…
This will undoubtedly consume the Twitterverse for the weeks and months ahead as the dust settles, but whatever side you choose, ultimately, this will be the best thing for golf competition for both the casual Sunday afternoon viewer, and online community degenerates alike. With that in mind, we must shift our focus to the task at hand-selecting those who will lurk next week at the 123rd rendition of the United States Open Championship, live from LACC North in La La Land, the perfect setting for a script even Tarantino couldn’t have penned…
At the top of the board, it’s clear where the Alphas stand: Scottie Scheffler just completed a ball-striking performance at The Memorial that would make vintage Hogan look like vintage Charles Barkley…ok maybe that’s a stretch, but unless he gets the flat-stick together (last, dead last, in case you hadn’t heard) he ain’t winning this...Fading Brooks Koepka at a major is like going on vacation to North Sentinel Island for a peaceful retreat, and yet, there’s just too many other top dawgs in form to think he can win another back-to-back. Despite his major record in California being pristine, his overall record there is horrid, so do what you will and hold your breath...Rahmbo of course won at Torrey in virtuoso fashion, and routinely dominates in Palm Springs, so there’s no reason to think he won’t be there yet again come Sunday evening. And Rory’s well…Rory, take it or leave it. Could he win? Sure. Could he be +6 at the turn and ready to head for the La Brea tar pits a la Augusta? Sure. Who the fck knows…
With all that said, there are three players, all Cali Kids, who I think have about equal win equity to finally break through for a major, and they are quite obvious: Patrick Cantlay, his bff the X-Man, and of course, Mighty Max Homa. Starting with Cantlay, he’s played the course several dozen times and lists it as one of his favorites, his record on the West Coast is impeccable, and has been in my estimation, the closest one to winning a major for some time now. If I had to choose one, it would be him...Xander is still without a flaw in his game, but has left the door open too many times now, despite lurking in several US Opens and elsewhere. If Cantlay is 1, he’s still 1A to me. Now onto Homa, the preferable CAL Bear to me over an out-of-sorts Morikawa (however, Kawa did Top 10 at the last two US Opens, one being in San Diego, as well as this year's Genesis at Riv). Homa holds the course record 61, and should be just as comfortable here as Cantlay was during his time at nearby UCLA. The kicker may be that Homa’s sealed the deal more than the other two combined over the last two years, and despite a spotty-at-best major record, it is no doubt improving, and if he were holding the hardware primetime Sunday night, it would be a surprise to none.
DJ and Phil are no strangers to SoCal, and to see the LIV major leaderboard presence continue is almost expected at this point. Rickie Fowler aka the T20 Machine doesn’t hate a Cali event, nor does another back in form veteran and former Riv winner Adam “The Jawline” Scott. Can Good Boy Viktor Hovland follow up his epic victory at Jack’s place a fortnight ago by securing his first major after coming so close at Oak Hill? Perhaps, but his number is going to be quite low, and although a major is coming for him soon, I'm not so sure it will be this week. And what about defending champion Matt Fitzpatrick? He won last year at another Gil Hanse redesign in Brookline, and if this place plays firm and fast amidst the seemingly ever-present Los Angeles drought, there are few I’d rather fancy for a T5 placement. Speaking of gritty Englishmen with a penchant for top tier finishes...
Tommy Fleetwood and Tyrell Hatton are up next and I’m pairing them together as I often do not just for their homeland, but because both are still awaiting a major despite numerous close calls, moreso for Tommy. With his handful of major Top 5s, highlighted by an iconic closing 63 at a wicked Shinnecock, I will keep backing him at the US Open til he gets it done. It will happen one day. Hatton on the other hand has been arguably the best all-around player this year from a statistical standpoint, and even with much to still be had on the big stage, much like Homa, his time is no doubt near.
Sahith Theegala has swiftly blossomed into a Top 25 player in the world. The Pepperdine alum, and all-around terrific kid, loves the West Coast swing with near misses most recently at Torrey (T4), Riv (T6), and last year's dramatic finish in Phoenix. He’s had a stellar year thus far including an impressive showing at Augusta (9th), and I expect him to throw his hat in the ring this week as a T20 staple with T10 upside. And while we’re discussing precocious neophytes with Southern California ties, his teammate at the Zurich and USC Trojan Justin Suh should not be scoffed at either with his recent run of form…
Now for the real wild cards, starting with one of our original Fantasy Family Tree members: Cousin Denny McCarthy. If you’ve followed us at all over the past three PGA seasons, you know how infatuated we are with this guy. His handshake with Jack and subsequent post-round interview after frankly, blowing-it, again, at Muirfield Village, shows the utmost character of this wizard of the flat stick. He’s lurked at several majors now and has come as close as you can get in several other events. Being a legend on the East Coast amongst the Jupiter gang for a decade now, he’s no stranger to this venue either as he competed at the Walker Cup for Team USA here in 2017. Pencil him in for an early mid-7K Draftkings HUMPDAY HAMMER. One time Denny boy, one time…
Finally I will end with another one of our favorites, Sepp “The Austrian Bulldawg” Straka. Constantly disrespected despite perpetual lurkage at big boy events including but not limited to: the Honda Classic (W), Arnold Palmer Invitational, Tour Championship, and more recently a T-7 at the PGA Championship, T-16 at The Memorial (at $6,600 no less), and overall five Top 25s, three Top 10s, and a partridge in a pear tree-don’t be shocked if you see his name on the leaderboard during crunch time next weekend.
Ok fine, here’s a real SICKO SPECIAL (high-risk, high-reward, min-price): UCLA Junior Omar Morales. The Mexican native fired an eye-popping -12 at the nearby Hillcrest GC Qualifier Monday, and although it’s his first major, he could be this week’s Michael Block (sort of), and thereby a golden ticket in a wild T40 parlay…if that’s the sort of thing that revs your engine. These are just a few of the intriguing names to me so far. Be sure to stay tuned to our Who’s Your Caddy? Podcast with @Blatant_Liam, and for all the breaking news on Twitter and Instagram @BlatantGolf as the week progresses.
That’s all folks, so buckle up for what is sure to be a legendary week as the smoke begins to clear from the LIV saga, and a brave new world awaits us in the city of dreams…
BOL.
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