The Golf Guru Show

As we approach the week of our second major championship of the year, The United States Open, we have to ask ourselves; What kind of player wins the U.S. Open and what kind of shots are required to survive the grueling test that is some of the toughest golf course set-ups in the world. There is a reason why par is a good score and usually ends up winning or coming very close. The USGA sets the course up with this score in mind with narrow fairways, long rough, firm greens and difficult pin positions.

The type of player to look for this week: In my opinion you have to do three things well to win an open. 1) Drive it straight 2) be able to play smart from the rough 3)have a world class short game

Notice I didn’t say that you had to be a long power player or even a great putter although that doesn’t hurt but I think that the player will have to be able to work the ball with a fade pattern to keep the ball from rolling into the rough and also a fade into the greens tends to hold better than a draw. So the players that can shape the ball will have a definite advantage. Here are a few players that fall under this pattern and who I think will do well this week.

1. K.J. Choi – his steeper downswing and fade shot will set up well at Congressional. He can drive it straight, escape the rough and hit the greens with his fade. Choi has been showing good form of late as he just recently won the Players Championship.

2. Martin Kymer – Although his steep downswing doesn’t work at Augusta, he should be able to manage his way around and shoot something around par and contend this week. This is why he played so well at the PGA. His fade is a plus for this venue

3. Lee Westwood – His shot pattern doesn’t match my description but has the ability to work the ball both ways and simply has come too close not to be in the mix at the end. Hits alot of fairways and greens which makes him a threat

4. Rory Mcilroy – I know he has had his troubles of late but he has too much talent not to be in contention and he will win his first major this year. If not the US then the British Open. He is resiliant and has a great short game which will keep him in it. There was a great question posted on twitter the other day: Who will win their first major? McIlroy, Fowler, Montessero or Ishikawa. I choose Rory.

5. Luke Donald – New World number 1 has to get his long game going as he hasn’t struck as well as you think lately (check the stats) but has a world class short game and is a great putter that will keep him around par. Needs a major to validate his number 1 ranking so he really wants this one.

Honorable mentions include: David Toms, Phil Mickelson, Steve Stricker, Matt Kucher, Hunter Mahan

One of the shots that the players will face this week is a pitch shot from the rough or what I call the “birdnest“. Here is an video archive that will help you tackle these difficult shots around the green.

Leave your picks for the U.S. Open in the comments thread

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See you on the lesson tee,

Jason