2023 U.S Open Preview & Picks
Jonah Owenby
The 123rd U.S Open bring us to Los Angeles Country Club for the first major ever held at the venue. The north course, designed by George Thomas, is a perfect set up for the United States Open. As we are accustomed to from this tournament, we will see deep rough, long holes, and some serious chances for big numbers if guys aren’t on top of their games. What I love about this design, after watching the NLU match on YouTube during media day, is that it’s got a little more character than some of the previous venues. A 290 yard par-3 matched by a 110 yard par 3 being a great example. The entire course switches back and forth between half par designs. You’ll get a short 4, followed by a long one, followed by a short 5, back to a long 4. This course will giveth and it will taketh away just as quick.
The major season has been off to a great start, we’ve seen the stars show up in droves regardless of the tour they play on and it has made for an excellent viewing experience. This course will only add to the admiration I have for this event and what it means for the game of golf, and I have to say I think it will be the best major of the year (sorry Augusta). Let’s get into it.
Tournament Details:
Dates: June 15th – 18th
Purse: $17.5 Million
Course: Los Angeles Country Club (North)
Location: Los Angeles, California
Architect: George C. Thomas Jr.
Par: 70
Length: 7,423 yards
Rating/Slope: 75.7/143
The Field:
It’s a major week and that means we get a major field. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler will be looking to add another major, if he can finally figure out his putting. It’s truly amazing that he hasn’t finished outside T-12 since October with how abhorrent his putting has been, but the ball striking right now is at record levels. The previous major was won by LIVs own Brooks Koepka, who has dominated the majors so far this year finishing T-2 at the Masters after leading all week. Jon Rahm is chasing another U.S Open trophy as well as notching his second major of the year. Also, I can’t go a preview without mentioning Max Homa. He has admittedly been lack luster across majors in his career, but he returns to LA this week where he has dominated his hometown, and I think this one will mean a lot the same way it does when he plays at Riv.
Check out the rest of the field here.
Picks for the U.S Open:
Top 20 Finish:
Cameron Young +360
Cam Davis +400
After getting off to a hot start with his new caddie, Cameron Young has fallen off a cliff the last several events on the PGA Tour. In his last 5 starts he’s missed two cuts and has finishes of T-51, T-57, and T-59 in the other three. The putter has been abysmal as of late, but if there’s one thing he can do every week it’s launch the golf ball. His power will be a huge benefit this week and if he can just roll it a little better getting these odds to Top 20 for a player of his build is a no brainer at the U.S Open.
Cam Davis is one of the longest hitters on tour currently 9th in strokes gained off the tee. Where we go from there has been a slight issue this season, he’s missed half his cuts this season but has finished inside the Top 25 in 5 of his 9 made cuts. He was T-4 at the PGA last month and T-6 at The Players, so maybe he just finds his putting stroke when the lights are brightest?
Top 10 Finish:
Sam Burns +500
Max Homa +260
Sam Burns has had a really up and down season so far. He went on a stretch from The Players to the Zurich Classic where he notched a win, and Top 15’s in 4 of his 6 starts during that span. Recently though, he’s missed the cut in 3 of his last five starts (finishing T6 and T16 in the two made cuts). The irons have been super hot and cold for a great ball striker like he is, so since he missed the cut last week maybe they’ll heat up this week.
The major that makes the most sense for Max to win and NOW I move him down after picking him the last two. His best finish in a major is a T-13 and though he is absolutely one of the best players in the world, those who go against him always have the major finishes as a trump card. He’s been his best when in his home state, and if there was ever a time for Max to turn his major woes around it’s at LACC. Let’s not forget he’s finished inside the Top-10 in half of his starts this season and two of his last three (the other being the PGA…).
Viktor Hovland has been one of the best major performers in professional golf. He’s -27 in the last 3 majors, beating second place during that stretch (Scheffler) by SEVEN shots. Coming off his win at Jack’s place and finally knocking off a win in a more competitive field, he’s looking posied to compete for a major title for the 4th straight time. The chipping has been talked about constantly, and with the massive improvements he’s made there it’s giving him the ability to attack pins more often.
Hatton has been sneaky unreal consistent this season. 6 Top 10’s and 10 Top 25’s with only one missed cut, he hasn’t finished worse than T-19 since The Masters. He’s only got the one career win at API, but on a course where really no one in the field knows what they’re going to get, Tyrell is the kind of guy that kind fight through the adversity (even while showing it with every bad bounce). He’s 3rd in strokes gained total this season and 7th in putting, while still being 11th in strokes gained off the tee. That is a solid recipe for the U.S Open if he can keep it rolling.
Swindle of the Week:
Top 5 Finish Parlay
Scottie and Brooks +750
This one is a little risky but that’s why you’re getting the 750 number. Scottie probably would putt better left handed than he is right now, but the amount of strokes he’s gaining from the ball striking is at levels we’ve never seen. He’s brought out a new putter this week so we’ll see if that helps. Even losing strokes every round on the greens he’s still in contention every single week. Brooks obviously is coming off winning major number 5 and has been by far the best player in the field for most of the last 8 major rounds. If this is once again a star show in LA, I think we have a great chance here of seeing both these guys in the Top 5.
U.S Open FAQs
When is the U.S Open?
The U.S Open begins June 15th and concludes on June 18th 2023.
Who's in the field for the U.S Open?
The field for the U.S Open can be found on the PGA Tour Tournament site
Who won the 2022 U.S Open?
Matt Fitzpatrick won the 2022 U.S Open at Brookline.
Who designed the north course at Los Angeles Country Club?
George C. Thomas Jr. designed the north course at LACC.
How much does the winner of the U.S Open get?
With a purse size of $17.5 million, the winner of the U.S Open now gets $3.15 million.