U.S. Open: Top five sleeper rankings at Erin Hills

2. Steve Stricker (Official World Ranking – 85th)

Steve Stricker knew it was a long shot when he wrote a letter to the USGA asking for a special exemption into this year’s U.S. Open. Retief Goosen got in last year on an exemption, but he was a two-time U.S. Open champion. Stricker’s claims were the fact that he’s a Wisconsin native (he lives just outside of Madison), and his 12-win career on the PGA TOUR.

To hear Stricker himself say it, the USGA “politely called [him] and declined.” It’s hard to imagine basically anybody else getting that kind of treatment in this situation.

Of course, what’s more to love about Stricker is what he did after that. Stricker went into the Tennessee regional qualifier, and took first place among nine players who punched their ticket. It’s a blue-collar effort from one of the game’s greatest representatives.

While the 50-year-old will most certainly face his challenges, there’s no reason to think he’s just going to be happy to be there. Stricker finished T16 at the Masters in April, and fired a Sunday 63 at the Dean & Deluca Invitational to finish tied for seventh place. A rookie on the PGA TOUR Champions this year, Stricker has also earned three top-ten finishes there in four starts.

Despite limited action, Stricker leads the PGA TOUR in driving accuracy, and ranks ninth in total putting. There’s no telling what his experience around Erin Hills will do for him, but he always finds a way to rise to the occasion, no matter how long the odds.