The 2014 U.S. Open Fantasy Sleeper Picks

The 2014 U.S. Open is almost upon us and this will be one of the most interesting watches of the year. The reason for that is the 2014 U.S. Open will take place at Pinehurst No 2 this year. Pinehurst No 2 has been redone and restored back as close to it’s original look as possible.

Pinehurst No 2 won’t be your typical U.S. Open. Pinehurst No 2 will feature wide greens, no rough (in place is a dirt, waste type area) and an extremely long course; meaning that this will be very atypical to your typical U.S. Open.

While it’ll be different, what won’t be different is the scores. Every single facet of your game will be tested. This will be very interesting and entertaining to watch and see how the best golfers in the world survive this year’s U.S. Open.

Now, a couple of weeks back I had a very good idea of who I was taking. But, things have changed a bit. The weather might be a significant factor. There’s a strong chance for some rain on Thursday and a chance for more on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

If the greens are soft the long hitters will have a big advantage. We’ll have to see what happens, but I’ve tweaked my team, but I still have some sleeper and some under-the-radar players to watch out for.

Victor Dubuisson: Rain or no rain a strong short game is needed. It’s not a matter of if you’ll be in some nasty waste areas, it’s a question of how frequently will you be in the waste. With Victor Dubission him being in some waste areas doesn’t really matter.

Do you remember Dubuisson’s performance at the WGC-Match Play? Dubuisson is an absolute magician around the greens and at the WGC-Match Play he pulled off two of the best shots of the year. Dubuisson bombs it off the green a good 300 yards and has an amazing short game.

As I mentioned in my introduction, I had it all figured out a few weeks back. I had Dubuission as a lock on my team, but a shoulder injury that caused him to withdraw from The PLAYERS and the BMW PGA Championship has caused me some concern. He did play well a couple of weeks ago at the Nordea Masters where he finished T-2.

I love Dubuission here at Pinehurst, I think his game fits pretty darn well, but definitely concerns me. Nevertheless, Dubuission will be on my team considering that he is a fantastic value pick.

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Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano: Gonzalo Fdez-Castano has quietly put together a real solid year. Castano has missed only one cut in his last 11 PGA tournaments. Not only that, but Castano has quietly hung around in Major’s the past few years.

In 2012 and 2013, Castano made the cut in 6 of 8 Major tournaments and last year Castano finished T-10 at the U.S. Open. While I’m not putting too much stock into last year’s performance – considering it was a different course – it does show that he can compete at a U.S. Open.

May 4, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; J.B. Holmes holds the trophy after winning the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow Club. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

J.B. Holmes: J.B. Holmes is having an exceptional season. From March to early May, Holmes was in great form. Holmes played in seven tournaments, made the cut in all 7 tournaments and finished in the top 18 in five of those tournaments; including a win at Wells Fargo.

Since his win he hasn’t been very good as he’s missed the cut in two of three tournaments. So, while that is something to consider, still, I think he’s someone to consider given the fact that he is a cheap pick up. Not only that, but going back to his strong run earlier in the season I want to highlight his finishes at the RBC Heritage and Wells Fargo.

Hilton Head Island (RBC Heritage) and Quail Hollow (Wells Fargo) each have some similarities to Pinehurst and Holmes played those courses extremely well. As we mentioned above, Holmes won at Quail Hollow and at Hilton Head Island he finished T-18. Holmes is a solid putter and he bombs it a long way. Holmes might be one to keep your eye on. He might be worth as a cheap pick up.

Patrick Reed: If you told me a couple of weeks back that I would be considering Patrick Reed I would say….eh, I don’t think so. Reed has been in terrible form since declaring himself a top 5 golfer in the world after winning the WGC-Cadillac Championship.

Since then, Reed has competed in six tournaments, has missed the cut in four tournaments, and his best finish has been a T-48. Reed has been in terrible, terrible form, but considering how much he’s worth this week and how the weather is lining up, he might actually be a decent pick up.

Reed has that nice high, booming shot which is great here at Pinehurst No 2. Not only that, but if the rain does come down and the greens are soft, it will work out perfectly for Reed. Reed might not be on my team, but given how things are lining up, he may be a great value pick.