Pro Golf Now
Fansided

U.S. Open: Ranking the five best early-round pairings at Shinnecock

By Brandon Raper

SOUTHAMPTON, NY - JUNE 12: Tiger Woods of the United States putts on the fifth green during a practice round prior to the 2018 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on June 12, 2018 in Southampton, New York. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, NY - JUNE 12: Tiger Woods of the United States putts on the fifth green during a practice round prior to the 2018 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on June 12, 2018 in Southampton, New York. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
U.S. Open Dustin Johnson Tiger Woods
SOUTHAMPTON, NY – JUNE 12: Tiger Woods of the United States and Dustin Johnson of the United States walk on the second hole during a practice round prior to the 2018 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on June 12, 2018 in Southampton, New York. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images) /

There’s no surprise to be had here. The USGA knew exactly what they were doing when they put these groups together. This is such a marquee group that they would headline any event anywhere in the world. Put them all on a major championship stage and they shine even brighter.

None of these players need any introduction, but let’s take a moment and review, anyway. Justin Thomas is coming off the best season of his young career, with the 2017 PGA Championship and the FedEx Cup to his name. With a pair of wins and six top-tens in 2017-18, he leads the FedEx Cup again, but he just dropped his No. 1 spot in the world ranking.

More from Pro Golf Now

Who took it over? Dustin Johnson, of course. DJ put on an absolute clinic at TPC Southwind, taking back the title of “best golfer in the world” that he had held since winning last year’s Genesis Open. He’s an 18-time PGA TOUR winner with two this season, as well as the 2016 U.S. Open champion. Nothing not to like here.

Oh, yeah…there’s one more player here, too. You might have heard of him before. Tiger Woods, rejuvenated after nearly three years away from competition, is looking to win his 15th career major title, inching one closer to Jack Nicklaus’s record. Can he realistically do it this week? Well, it’s been ten years since his last major victory at the 2008 U.S. Open.

Then again, he won that week in a playoff. With a broken leg. So while I don’t expect Tiger to win this week, I can’t say I haven’t seen crazier things happen. He’ll need to fix his putting, but his tee-to-green game is as good as it’s been in years.

Long story short? This is the group you’re calling in sick for tomorrow. If you’re lucky, so is your boss. Everybody wins!

Next: U.S. Open Power Rankings: Top ten at Shinnecock Hills

Home/US Open