Scottie Scheffler Is a Top 10 Machine and He's Still Not Ready For This U.S. Open
Alright, Seattle sports fanatics, listen up! The U.S. Open is officially underway at Shinnecock Hills, and man, is it going to be a ride. We're talking practice rounds buzzing, tournament action just days away in Southampton, New York, and the biggest question on everyone's mind is who's gonna hoist that trophy on Sunday evening? This isn't just any major, folks, it's the third championship of the 2026 season, and with a monstrous 156-man field packed with the best from the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and the USGA, you know it's going to be absolute chaos. Especially with high winds expected all four rounds on a course that's already a beast!
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So, who's got the juice? Scottie Scheffler is the overall favorite, no surprise there, right? He's been a top 10 machine, finishing inside the top 25 in an insane 32 straight tournaments. That's a number that makes your head spin! But here's the kicker: he only has one win all season, and none of those came in the PGA Tour's biggest events. You gotta wonder if those "visible frustrations" at Muirfield Village are a sign. Rory McIlroy, on the other hand, just snagged a second straight green jacket, so his game is definitely on point. But his driving accuracy has been rough, and he's not playing as many tournaments as usual, so rust could totally be a factor. And get this: Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are both missing their third major of the season. For the first time in decades, neither will play the four biggest events of the year. That's a wild stat right there! Still, you've got powerhouses like Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka, Cameron Young, Matt Fitzpatrick, Xander Schauffele, and Tommy Fleetwood all looking to conquer this brutal USGA test.
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Dark Horses and locks: What the Experts Are Seeing
Our CBS Sports experts are digging into the crystal ball, and they've got some interesting picks. Patrick McDonald, a golf writer, is putting his money on Russell Henley as the winner at 40-1 odds. Henley's been quietly one of the world's best, just won the Charles Schwab Challenge, and was in the thick of it on Sunday at Augusta National. McDonald says Henley is deadly accurate off the tee, precise with his irons, and has the grit needed for the U.S. Open. For a sleeper pick, keep an eye on Ryan Gerard at 125-1. Gerard has been in the final group on Sunday in his last two tournaments, even falling just short in a playoff at the Memorial. He's found new confidence on the greens with a small setup tweak, and his mental fortitude is apparently off the charts. But the real no-brainer, according to McDonald? Scottie Scheffler is a top 10 lock. Despite those frustrations, the dude is the most well-rounded and best player in the world, with beautiful driving and an underrated short game.
So, will Scheffler turn that top 10 consistency into a major win, or will someone like Henley or Gerard shock the world? The tournament rounds are about to kick off, and by Sunday evening, we'll know who truly handled the pressure at Shinnecock Hills. Let's see how it all unfolds!
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.