Trading Focus: 2017 US Open Golf
117th US Open Golf Championship, Erin Hills, Erin, Wisconsin, June 15th to 18th 2017
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117th US Open Golf Championship, Erin Hills, Erin, Wisconsin, June 15th to 18th 2017
Dustin Johnson will defend his US OPEN golf title on this picturesque course in Wisconsin that was only opened in 2006. The course was built naturally into the terrain and has lots of different contours that these skilled professionals should be able to exploit. It may have the feeling of a links course and it will certainly suit the creative golfer, someone who can think outside the box. The course can played 8,000 yards depending on the tees but with good weather it will be quick so will play shorter. The greens are reported to be excellent but the USGA will set them up as fast as they can and players will need all of their skills to keep the ball on the greens. Some of the rough is perfectly playable but bounce only a few feet away and they will be playing out sideways, if they can find the ball. The course is a no buggy course so has no cart paths and this has enabled them to keep the fairways immaculate.
So what will be needed to win? As most players will not have seen the course until they practice, the players who can plot their way round will be in prime position and as always at a US Open, accuracy from tee to green is paramount. The top scramblers may also come into their own here as getting up and down from around the greens will be vital.
Of the top players, Dustin Johnson’s length will be in his favour but I don’t see Rory or Spieth playing well enough at present to mount a challenge and if Johnson is to be pressed by one of the favourites, it may well be Jason Day.
I’m going to suggest looking at five bigger priced alternatives who hopefully will give us a good run for our money and offer us trading opportunities over the four days.
28/1 Rickie Fowler has missed the cut in the last two years but anyone who can finish top five in all four majors, as he did in 2014, must be considered on a course where his driving could see him go well. Unfortunately he also missed the cut last week but used the time off well to hone his game for this test.
40/1 Justin Thomas’s accuracy into the greens will aid him here as long as he can keep the ball in play off the tee. This youngster looks a sure fire major winner of the future, his age may just count against him, but he is playing so well that he must be considered.
40/1 Brooks Koepka has only played in four US Opens but has three top twenty finishes and he looks the sort of player that could really take to this course. I’m sure he will go very close in a major soon, hopefully here.
66/1 Paul Casey is high in the stats in scrambling, driving and greens in regulation and despite his poor record in this major, he is playing some good golf again and is a decent price for trading.
150/1 Brendan Steele is overpriced for a guy who finished top fifteen last year and has had a consistent season with three top ten finishes including sixth at The Players. He is high on stats for scrambling and also driving and is worth an each way play.