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U.S. Open: Top 10 power rankings at Winged Foot

By Mike Randleman

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 06: Tony Finau of the United States plays his shot from the third tee during the third round of the TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club on September 06, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 06: Tony Finau of the United States plays his shot from the third tee during the third round of the TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club on September 06, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /
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PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 13: Justin Thomas of the United States (R) and his caddie, Jimmy Johnson, wait to tee off on the 12th hole during the first round of the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links on June 13, 2019 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 13: Justin Thomas of the United States (R) and his caddie, Jimmy Johnson, wait to tee off on the 12th hole during the first round of the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links on June 13, 2019 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Justin Thomas got his major championship early in his career. The pressure is off in that sense, but a player of his caliber has to be thinking he should have multiple when it’s all said and done.

Thomas has been a beacon of consistency on the PGA Tour, winning each of the last six years. The highlight of 13 career wins came in a remarkable 2017. JT won five times that year, including at the PGA Championship at Valhalla in his home state of Kentucky.

It was then that he truly became one of the great American stars in golf. He’s earned eight more PGA Tour wins since Valhalla and was the PGA Tour Player of the Year in 2018-19.

Despite a somewhat shaky last few starts for the former Alabama Crimson Tide standout, he’s still worthy of being one of the top favorites this week.

Thomas won just a couple months ago at the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational and took T-2nd (T-3rd gross) in his last start at the Tour Championship.

The 27-year-old’s made the cut in four of his last five starts as well as seven of the last nine.

Thomas at the U.S. Open has made three of five cuts. He played well when making the weekend, finishing T-32nd, T-9th and T-25th between 2016-2018.

Thomas finished the 2019-2020 PGA Tour season ranked second in birdie average (4.55). His game better suits PGA Championship style setups, but I still like his chances at Winged Foot.

Thomas was tops in strokes gained tee to green (1.741 per round). That was largely due to his status as one of the game’s best iron players, ranking first in SG approach (,997).

It’s been a tough putting year for Thomas. Fortunately, his short game has eliminated the need to make a ton of testers for par (18th SG around the green, .339).

The greens should be tough, but true. That bodes well for someone who plays, and putts, better on the eastern half of the country.

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