2022 U.S. Open: Expert Picks and Predictions For The Country Club
The long-anticipated third Major of the year is finally upon us, it’s time for the 2022 U.S. Open at The Country Club.
This is arguably one of the most enthralling Major Championships of all time with everything that is going on in the golfing world at the moment.
The USGA ensured that there would be no shortage of headlines this week when it announced that LIV participants would be eligible to continue playing in the U.S. Open, at least for this year, as for the future? That’s a discussion for another time.
Unfortunately, Tiger has elected to forgo this year’s U.S. Open and continue his preparations for the Open in Scotland in just one month’s time.
Phil Mickelson is back stateside though, and he will be teeing it up for the first time on American soil since the Farmers Insurance Open at the beginning of the year.
Meanwhile, defending champion Jon Rahm looks to become the eighth player to win back-to-back U.S. Opens, something that has been accomplished by just two players, Curtis Strange and Brooks Koepka, since 1988.
It is all set up to be an enthralling week of action, so without further ado, here is who our staff are selecting to win the 122nd playing of the United States Open Championship.
Expert Picks and Predictions for the 122nd U.S. Open
Justin Thomas
This year’s PGA Champion is a popular pick amongst our experts this week as JT aims to make it back-to-back Major triumphs in 2022.
Mike Randleman: “In 26 career starts in majors, he’s made 21 cuts and four in a row. He has seven top-10s. He’s 5-for-7 at the U.S. Open and took T-19th last year at Torrey Pines.
It’d get him halfway to the career Grand Slam.
Thomas had just turned pro when the 2013 U.S. Amateur came to Brookline. Regardless, JT will look like a member at The Country Club the way he’ll be atop of the leaderboard come Sunday.”
Sean McCann: “Thomas has been playing some of the hottest golf on Tour, and is coming off an impressive win at the PGA Championship.
He probably would have won the Canadian Open too if it wasn’t for Rory’s hot play and a tough finish on the last 2 holes. Looking to make an impression on the LIV players, look for Thomas to come out firing Thursday.”
Hans Geevers: “Since the beginning of January, Justin Thomas has played 12 tournaments on the PGA Tour.
In those 12 events just mentioned, Thomas has accumulated an impressive nine top 20 finishes, including a win at the 2022 PGA Championship four weeks ago.”
Will Zalatoris
Zalatoris came so close at the PGA Championship last month and two of our experts believe that the breakthrough win will finally come at the U.S. Open this week.
Bill Felber: “I am nothing if not loyal. I picked Will Zalatoris to win the PGA and he nearly did. I’m sticking with him at the U.S. Open.
I believe in you, Will, even if nobody else does. And just to prove it, if you need a caddie this week I’ll hop up to Boston…you only have to text me.”
Mack Gordon: “It’s no secret that Will Zalatoris has played well in the majors since joining the PGA Tour. The 25-year-old finished runner-up to Justin Thomas at the PGA Championship last month, coming up short in a playoff.
In his eight career starts at major championships he has five top-10 finishes, including two runner-ups (2021 Masters/2022 PGA).
He’s gained 3.5+ strokes tee-to-green on the field in 8/9 measured events in 2022. I’m banking on him to make a few putts on Sunday and bring home his first major championship.”
Joaquin Niemann
Josh Chandler: “The last three U.S. Opens have seen players breakthrough for their first major victory. Jon Rahm won last year at Torrey Pines, Bryson DeChambeau in 2020 at Winged Foot, and Gary Woodland in 2019 at Pebble Beach.
I believe we see another young star win his first Major this week, and I believe the talented young Chilean will be that player, it’s Niemanns time to shine.
He has proven that he can win on the biggest stage already after claiming the Genesis earlier this year at Riviera. A solid showing last time out at another hard track at Muirfield is a good indicator that his game is in the right place coming into this week’s U.S. Open.”
Billy Horschel
Kathlene Bissell: “he’s been playing well and just won at The Memorial.”
Rory McIlroy
Matt Hupfer: “I didn’t bet him outright because his number is too short but if my life depended on picking a winner, I would take Rory.
The U.S. Open is not the tournament you go to find your game and Rory has four top 10s in his last five starts. You need to be elite tee to green to win at Brookline and Rory defines that. Fresh off the Canadian Open win last week, I’m backing the hot hand in McIlroy.”
Next. The Majors Hold All the Cards. dark
Max Homa
Jake Klausner: “It seems as if Homa is just now starting to find his groove in the majors. With a top ten finish in the PGA, I think that it’s only a matter of time before “The King of Twitter” finally breaks through for his first major.”