Getty Images
“Don’t chat.”
That was the pledge made last Thursday between Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose. Over the past couple of days there has been all sorts of talk after the PGA Tour-Saudi bomb, but now it’s game time for partners at the RBC Canadian Open.
It was a good idea, at least.
“Rosie and I said, well, we don’t chat until lunch so we can focus on what we’re doing there,” McIlroy said. “We started getting into conversation the first day and we’re like, ‘No, let’s stop this.
“Let’s just focus on our golf game and we’ll say what we need to say when we get in.”
Next, as we look at the prospects for the US Open this week, let’s talk about McIlroy.
Specifically, after hearing what he said above, do you believe in him? The subject of du jour will only be discussed further in Los Angeles Country Club. Could his golf be sore? At the Canadian Open, McIlroy finished a respectable T9, but the straight open south promises to be more than a beast.
To his credit, he said last Thursday that golf was a welcome distraction. So maybe there is a benefit. However, it’s probably safe to say that things aren’t as clear-cut. cautiously.
Looking for some other ideas? Friend, you clicked on the right article. Each of our team members made a bet to win (only one chose McIlroy). The hope is, of course, that we’ll help you with your weekly choices, whether it’s a low-stakes desk fantasy league, or big (legal!) bets with a sportsbook.
to our choices.
2023 US Open Championship to win
Ryan Barath
To win: Brooks Koepka, +1,100. Since returning to good health, Brooks has been a powerhouse in the majors, capped off with a win at the PGA Championship. With more rest ahead of the US Open, and having won the event twice already, he’s coming out with his sixth major and cementing himself as the best major golfer of his generation.
Josh Berhau
To win: Brooks Koepka, +1,100. It’s hard to bet on him at this point! The guy loves challenging US Open-like courses, and this is, after all, the US Open. You know he has that swagger again now, too, and confident (and healthy) Brooks Koepka during the middle of a major season is bad news for anyone else.
James Colgan
To win: Rory McIlroy, +1,100. I can see it now: Rory McIlroy wins the US Open by three strokes and, in a post-tournament press, succinctly (and literally) flips the birdie in the Tour’s institution over the past 18 months. “Hey Jay, thanks for the motiv,” he said with a silly smile as he lifted the cup. (Is that likely to happen? Certainly not. But a man can dream.)
Dylan Dieter
To win: Xander Schavelli + 2000. I don’t think I picked Xander to win the big 20 yet, which means this week, I’m finally going to make a lifetime win. Also, this guy has to win the US Open at some point. Since debuting in 2017, his results are T5-T6-T2-5-T7-T14. it is time.
Nick Demingo
To win: Tony Finau +2800. I really don’t have a strong reason for choosing Finau to win his first major, other than sheer gut instinct. I know, I know, he didn’t necessarily do well in the first two majors this year, but what better place than vibrant, lively, and sunny Los Angeles for a vibrant, energetic golfer to win?
Jessica Marksbury
To win: Brooks Koepka, +1,100. I’m really surprised it’s not the first or second favorite this week. In my opinion, he is the frontrunner. His performance in the majors so far this year speaks for itself, but it’s also clear he’s regained that intangible bravado. Big, lively charts suit him, and they’ll be fun to watch.
Milton exhaled
To win: Scotty Scheffler +750. I don’t exactly come out to pick a favorite side to bet on, but it’s hard to bet against Scotty these days. He hits the ball better than anyone in the world and that keeps him competitive week after week. If he could even figure out the putter of a bat little bithe will run away with the title.
Nick Piastowski
To win: Patrick Cantlay, +1,600. I want to be undisturbed in the LACC, with Barranca stretching all the time, and Hollywood a long way away. Cantlay is none other than Calm Kali.
Tim Riley
To win: Max Huma +2200. With all the madness and mixed feelings going around right now, we could use the world’s most beloved US Open winner in the golf world. Homa knows the LACC and plays it well. Yes, you will hear about this a million times, as Homa is destined to be a popular choice, and rightly so. Far from being the popular pick, I think he’s one of the few golfers who can generate some much needed positive vibes all around the US Open.
Josh Sens
To win: Victor Hofland +1,800. It’s too late to call Hovland a superstar, but he’s taken his game to another level this season. I’m looking for him to follow the pattern we’ve seen from other big talent in the lead up to their first big win – some close calls, a little more spice, and a prestigious win (in Hovland’s case, Monument). The timing seemed right for his biggest victory yet.
Marley Sims
To win: Colin Morikawa +2200. I place my trust in one of the most talented men on the course. California background is also useful.
Jonathan Wall
To win: Jordan Spieth +2500. Spieth thrives on courses where grinding is a requirement—a guarantee that the USGA will raise the bar on difficulty in the LACC. It’s the perfect course for the man who’s destined for another big victory.