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Spieth predicting low scores at the U.S. Open

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Jordan Spieth signs autographs during a practice round ahead of the 2017 U.S. Open at Erin Hills in Erin, Wash. on Monday, June 12, 2017. (Copyright USGA/Jeff Haynes)

2015 U.S. Open Champion Jordan Spieth is predicting the winner of the 2017 Open at Erin Hills will go lower than most at a U.S. Open.

Rory McIlroy won in 2011 by finishing 16-under par, but that isn’t par for the course at a normally difficult U.S. Open.  In fact, if you take McIlroy’s score out if the equation, the average winning score since 2006 has been 1.1 strokes under par.

Spieth told reporters on Tuesday that someone who has good control of the ball off the tee will have plenty of opportunities to make birdies, given the conditions that are expected.

Those conditions are for off and on rain throughout the tournament, which will leave the green’s soft and receptive to the type of target shooting that the pro’s love.

AUDIO: Jordan Spieth asked what will win this U.S. Open :17

Jason Day, who won the 2015 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits, said he doesn’t care about the winning score, as long as he figures into the race. [Read more…]

Stricker, Niebrugge earn their way into 117th U.S. Open Field (AUDIO)

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Erin Hills

Steve Stricker had his request for a special exemption into the U.S. Open denied, so Monday he went out and earned a spot in the field.

The 50-year-old Stricker shot rounds of 67 and 65 to win the sectional in Memphis, Tennessee, earning one of the 156 spots in the U.S. Open field at Erin Hills next week.

Jordan Niebrugge of Mequon also qualified, finishing in a tie for second in the Tacoma, Washington sectional.  Niebrugge fired rounds of 73 and 67.  He and Stricker are the only two players with Wisconsin ties to make the U.S. Open field.

Stricker will be making his 20th appearance in the U.S. Open.  His best finishes came when he took fifth in both 1998 and 1999.

The 23-year-old Niebrugge will be making his U.S. Open debut, but he does have some major experience.  Niebrugge tied for sixth place at the 2015 British Open as an amateur and also played in the 2014 Masters.  Niebrugge also won a qualifier for the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship at Erin Hills in 2013 and ended up capturing the title. [Read more…]

Erin Hills tested me, will it test the pros?

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As the 117th U.S. Open Championship at Erin Hills approaches, the question remains; Will the winds be blowing when the world’s best players arrive?

There is no definitive answer to that question.  The U.S. Open is set for June 15-18, less than a month away.  The course will be one of the longest ever in a major championship at 7,693 yards.

USGA officials expect the winds to blow, it’s one of the traits of the property.  But if it rains and the winds don’t blow, the pro’s could have a field day.

“If there’s no wind for four days, that would be highly unusual, but they’ll definitely shoot lower scores,” said USGA Executive Director Mike Davis.  “If it’s softer they’re going to shoot lower scores.  The greens are so good they’re going to make putts. [Read more…]