2018 U.S. Open Preview Podcast

Listen to the US Open Preview Podcast now:

The United States Open, the most democratic tournament in the world according to Roy McAvoy, returns to storied Shinnecock Hills for the 5th time. The fabled links on Long Island was an original member of The USGA and is one of the most recognizable courses in America with its tall rough and Stanford White designed clubhouse.

The course we will see this week has been around since the 19th Century but most of the current iteration is credited to William Flynn and his work in the 30's. After last years Open, which some considered controversial, we return to one of the true Blue Blood courses in the pantheon of American Golf. 

Previous winners at Oakmont include: James Foulis, Raymond Floyd, Corey Pavin, and Retief Goosen. The last 3 names are all considered some of the toughest competitors of their era and were major championship tested. For that reason I predict this year's winner to be a past major champion who has the calm demeanor to come up clutch when it counts. The Grip Life is picking former PGA and U.S. Open Champion Martin Kaymer to win his second U.S. Open title.

While Kaymer may not be the sexiest pick, there's a couple veterans who would be huge stories. Tiger Woods continues to show signs of life, though he let many down at Augusta, just as he returns to the site of his first U.S. Open appearance in 1995. Phil Mickelson will try once again to complete the career Grand Slam at the event that has given him the most heartbreak. The question is, whose win would be the bigger story: a resurgent Tiger, or completed grandslam by Mickelson?

My advice for everyone: sit back, don't let Joe Buck upset you, and enjoy one of the finest courses in America!