U.S. Open top 10 players to watch
As the 115th U.S. Open at Chambers Bay draws near, we take a look at the most compelling golfers to watch among the 156 contestants. Scroll through the list to see the 10 players you should keep your eyes on at University Place.
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#1: Tiger Woods
Age: 39
World Rank: 181
PGA Tour wins: 79
Major wins: 14
CREDENTIALS
The greatest player of his generation and arguably the greatest player of all time. He is second in major titles behind Jack Nicklaus’ 18 and is second in career PGA Tour wins, just three behind Sam Snead. He has won three U.S. Opens, the most recent one coming in 2008 in a playoff over Rocco Mediate. He was the world’s top-ranked player for 264 weeks from August 1999 to September 2004 and then again for 281 weeks from June 2005 to October 2010.
Why you should watch:
Because 30 years from now, you can brag that you watched Tiger play.
Did you know?
According to Forbes Magazine, Woods made $55 million in endorsements in 2014.
#2: Phil Mickelson
Age: 44
World Rank: 19
PGA Tour wins: 42
Major wins: 5
CREDENTIALS
He needs to win the U.S. Open to become the sixth player to complete a career Grand Slam (winning all four majors) in the modern era. He has finished second a record six times in the U.S. Open, with perhaps the most painful being when he lost by a shot in 2006 after making a double bogey on the final hole. Has not won since the 2013 British Open, but tied for second in this year’s Masters.
Why you should watch:
Because his short game ranks among the best in the history of the game, and his aggressive style leads to a lot of birdies, but also some blow-ups.
Did you know?
He turns 45 on June16.
#3: Jordan Spieth
Age: 21
World Rank: 2
PGA Tour wins: 3
Major wins: 1
CREDENTIALS
He has proved he can shine on the biggest stage, rolling to a record-setting Masters win in April after finishing second in that event last year. He has been in the top 10 in seven of 13 events this season. Has already won two championships put on by the USGA, having twice won the U.S. Junior Amateur. His second win in that event was in 2011 at Gold Mountain’s Olympic Course in Bremerton, and he joined Tiger Woods as the only player to win the Junior Amateur more than once.
Why you should watch:
Because at 21, he is the most promising American at his age since Tiger Woods, and his caddie, Michael Greller, is from University Place.
Did you know?
He skipped a World Championship golf event in 2013 to attend Greller’s wedding, which was held at Chambers Bay.
#4: Justin Rose
Age: 34
World Rank: 6
PGA Tour wins: 7
Major wins: 1
CREDENTIALS
Born in South Africa and raised in England, he introduced himself to the golfing world with a flourish when he finished tied for fourth as a 17-year-old amateur at the 1998 British Open. He ended that event by holing out from about 50 yards in the rough. He turned pro the next day, then missed his first 21 cuts a pro. But he persevered and has won a PGA Tour event each of the past seven years, including the 2013 U.S. Open, and was second in this year's Masters.
Why you should watch:
Because he's considered one of the nicest guys on the PGA Tour and hits his iron shots with extreme precision.
Did you know?
He and Tiger Woods have the same agent, Mark Steinberg.
#5: Bubba Watson
Age: 36
World Rank: 4
PGA Tour wins: 7
Major wins: 2
CREDENTIALS
He has won two Masters, and all seven of his PGA Tour wins have come in the past five years. With the tremendous distance he hits his drives, he often has an advantage over the rest of the field, but he has not had a lot of success in the U.S. Open, with no finishes in the top 30 since 2007 when he finished tied for fifth. But the fairways at Chambers Bay are much wider than for a typical U.S. Open, which should benefit Watson.
Why you should watch:
Because he uses a pink driver that he hits the ball nine miles with (only a slight exaggeration).
Did you know?
Went to Milton (Fla.) High School, which also produced PGA Tour players Boo Weekley and Heath Slocum.
#6: Rickie Fowler
Age: 26
World Rank: 8
PGA Tour wins: 2
Major wins: 0
CREDENTIALS
He finished in the top five in all four major championships last year, and the only other two players to finish in the top five of all four majors in a calendar year are Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus. Still, entering May he had just one PGA Tour win and tied recently with Ian Poulter in a survey of the most overrated PGA Tour player that was voted on by Tour players. But that came out just before Fowler won the Players Championship last month.
Why you should watch:
Because based on all the young people following him around, it’s the cool thing to do.
Did you know?
He was a motocross racer until breaking his foot at age 15.
#7: Rory McIlroy
Age: 26
World Rank: 1
PGA Tour wins: 11
Major wins: 4
CREDENTIALS
McIlroy, from Northern Ireland, won the final two majors of 2014 (the British Open and the PGA Championship). After a slow start in this year’s Masters, he rallied to finish fourth. He won the 2011 U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club outside Washington, D.C., by eight shots in a record score of 16-under 268. He won two tournaments in May, so he is coming into the U.S. Open in top form.
Why you should watch:
Because he is the best player on the planet.
Did you know?
He is the first European to win three different majors, and is one of three players along with Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods to win three majors by the age of 25.
#8: Sergio Garcia
Age: 35
World Rank: 9
PGA Tour wins: 8
Major wins: 0
CREDENTIALS
The Spaniard has 19 top-10 finishes in major championships but has yet to win one. At age 19, he dueled with Tiger Woods in the 1999 PGA championship before finishing second. Although he has spent much of the time since in the top 10 in the world rankings, he has not quite delivered what many expected. He is one of the best ball strikers in the game, but his putting is up and down. He won The Players Championship in 2008. His best U.S. Open finish is a tie for third in 2005.
Why you should watch:
Because he has to win a major someday, doesn’t he?
Did you know?
He took a several-month break in 2010 after going through a prolonged slump.
#9: Dustin Johnson
Age: 30
World Rank: 7
PGA Tour wins: 9
Major wins: 0
CREDENTIALS
One of America’s stars the past several years. He took a six-month break last year to work through personal issues. Golf Magazine reported that Johnson had been suspended from the PGA Tour for six months after testing positive for cocaine, which the Tour denied, saying it was a voluntary leave. He has returned in good form, winning the World Golf Championship event at Doral (Fla.) in March. He has seven top-10 finishes in majors and was tied for fourth at last year’s U.S. Open.
Why you should watch:
Because he is freakishly talented and can hit the ball a long, long way.
Did you know?
He and partner Pauline Gretzky, the oldest daughter of hockey great Wayne Gretzky, had a son in January.
#10: Martin Kaymer
Age: 30
World Rank: 18
PGA Tour wins: 3
Major wins: 2
CREDENTIALS
The German, a former No. 1 player in the world, seems to save his best performances for the biggest stage, with his three victories on the PGA Tour coming in the PGA Championship in 2010 and in last year’s U.S. Open and The Players Championship. He led wire to wire in winning last year’s U.S. Open at Pinehurst by eight strokes. He also has nine additional victories on the PGA Tour. Has not played well this year, but it would be foolish to discount his chances.
Why you should watch:
Because he has a chance to be the first player to win back-to-back U.S. Open titles since Curtis Strange did that in 1988-89.