Fantasy Focus: US Open showdown

The best fantasy picks for the US Open at Chambers Bay in Washington

Phil Mickelson
Phil Mickelson is one of the US Open favourites
(Image credit: Getty Images)

This week, the Fantasy Focus column looks at the best picks for the year's second Major - the US Open at Chambers Bay in Washington

Fantasy Focus: US Open showdown

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This week, the world's best golfers are in Washington State for the US Open at the inimitable Chambers Bay.

It's a previously unused layout that has attracted a host of unfavourable comments, principally relating to its undulations, severe green complexes and conditioning.

It might be a polarising course, but the test will be the same for everyone in the field. While some have registered their disquiet, others, including Jordan Spieth, have paid visits to Chambers Bay and made contact with its architect, Robert Trent Jones Jnr.

In others words, they've attempted to find a solution, rather than reduce their chances by complaining. Anyhow, that's a bit off topic (you can read my views on the subject here). Back to fantasy golf...

GM tips for this week:

USA 1: Dustin Johnson - The big-hitting American is at home on links-style layouts and his power will be an advantage on a golf course that measures in excess of 7,800 yards.

USA 2: Phil Mickelson - The six-time US Open runner-up finished in a tie for 3rd at the FedEx St Jude Classic and his creativity, imagination and short-game prowess will be valuable assets at Chambers Bay.

GB: Justin Rose - The Englishman is a strong perfomer on tough golf courses and comes into the US Open in good form. He won the Zurich Classic of New Orleans in April and lost out in a play-off to David Lingmerth at the Memorial Tournament two weeks ago.

Ireland: Graeme McDowell - Rory McIlroy will be the popular choice, but I'm not convinced Chambers Bay is the right fit for him. His compatriot won at Pebble Beach in 2010 - a course that's not dissimilar to Trent Jnr's creation.

Scandinavia: Alex Noren - The Swede - who won the Nordea Masters two weeks ago - is enjoying a fine season after returning from a wrist injury.

Rest of Europe: Sergio Garcia - Francesco Molinari is the form player in this category, but I think the Spaniard looks a good fit for Chambers Bay.

Asia: Hideki Matsuyama - It has to be the Japanese sensation, really. He's in good form and his record in the Majors is tremendous.

Africa: George Coetzee - With Charl Schwartzel desperately out of form and Louis Oosthuizen not offering a great deal, I'm going with Coetzee, who should be well suited to the course.

Australasia: Adam Scott - With Jason Day still suffering spells of dizzyness, I'm going for Scott to turn his season around at the year's second Major. Having Steve Williams back on the bag should also evoke some positive memories.

South America: Andres Romero - one of only three South Americans in the field, Romero showed good form in coming through a sectional qualifier at the start of last week.

Head to the fantasy section of the Golf Monthly website each week to read this blog and the round-up.

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Nick Bonfield
Content Editor

Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, commissioning and feature writing. Most of his online work is opinion-based and typically centres around the Majors and significant events in the global golfing calendar. Nick has been an avid golf fan since the age of ten and became obsessed with the professional game after watching Mike Weir and Shaun Micheel win The Masters and PGA Championship respectively in 2003. In his time with Golf Monthly, he's interviewed the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Billy Horschel and has ghost-written columns for Westwood, Wayne Riley, Matthew Southgate, Chris Wood and Eddie Pepperell. Nick is a 12-handicap golfer and his favourite courses include Old Head, Sunningdale New, Penha Longha, Valderrama and Bearwood Lakes. If you have a feature pitch for Nick, please email nick.bonfield@futurenet.com with 'Pitch' in the subject line. Nick is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade M1 Fairway wood: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid: Ping Crossover Irons (4-9): Nike Vapor Speed Wedges: Cleveland CBX Full Face, 56˚, Titleist Vokey SM4, 60˚ Putter: testing in progress! Ball: TaylorMade TP5x