The upcoming US Open at Chambers Bay is shaping up to be a pretty fascinating tournament. Much of that fascination revolves around the course itself, which is a relative unknown to most in the Tour, and will have a setup unlike anything ever seen at a US Open. The added fascination will also be finding out which golfer from the field has the skill set capable of conquering the course.
In order to do that, let’s first get to to know Chambers Bay a little better and get a sense of what exactly makes it unique. Then, let’s run through some of the qualities that will be crucial in such a course, before concluding with three such golfers from the field who have those specific traits.
Which U.S. Open Golfer is Best Suited to Chambers Bay?
A Brief Chambers Bay Primer
First thing’s first: what’s all the fuss about Chambers Bay?
[sc:Golf240banner ]Well, for one, it’s not what most players are used to. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. and opened only in 2007, Chambers Bay is a links-style course that has some of the trademark dune slopes, undulating green surfaces and greenside bunkers usually found on the famous links courses found in the British Isles.
This kind of course plays much differently from the ones most players are used to taking on, especially at the US Open, which is typically known for long fairways and quick greens. The uneven surfaces at Chambers Bay can often lead to balls bouncing, swerving and moving in all types of unpredictable directions.
Mike Davis, the guy who sets up the U.S. Open course for the U.S. Golf Association, has also set up Chambers Bay in such a way that will keep players off balance, not only with each passing round but with each passing hole. So to all involved, this year’s US Open is looking like a significant challenge.
Factors Needed to Succeed at Chambers Bay
So it’s been established that Chambers Bay is going to be some challenge to overcome. But what are some of the factors that the US Open contenders must have to overcome the said challenge?
Imagination/Creativity
Just about the most common trait people have linked to success at Chambers Bay is creativity. Because this course will not play like most traditional courses, it’ll take someone with a keen imagination, especially on short shots in and around the green, to be successful.
Game Versatility
It’s one thing to have the creativity to map out alternative ways to the cup, but it’s another thing entirely to also have the versatile skill set needed to successfully execute the required shots. Since the contours of the course can be so varied, players will also have to vary their shot selection, from high to low, left to right, and so on.
Experience on the course
At just eight years old, very few of the pros on Tour have actually had the opportunity to play at Chambers Bay. For a course as potentially tricky as this, the chosen few that have already had a sample of the different quirks of the course should have a significant advantage simply by having an idea of what to expect and adjusting accordingly.
Create a betting account now and be sure to adjust accordingly for the Chambers Bay effect before putting in your US Open pick.
Three Players Who Will Suit Chambers Bay
So creativity, versatility and experience are some of the qualities needed to succeed on the course. Here are three such players from the field that have some blend of those three, which should help them stand out from the crowd.
Phil Mickelson
As Peter Kostis boldly proclaimed, Chambers Bay is “made” for Phil Mickelson. That sentiment has much to do with Mickelson being one of, if not the premier players on tour in terms of his sheer creativity around the greens. Lefty’s deft touch and feel with his short game should give him a big edge in navigating this particular course.
And as mentioned earlier, Chambers Bay is a links-style course, a particular course that Mickelson has had success playing in in recent years. He won The Open Championship at Muirfield back in 2013. He has also spent some time scouting the course in preparation for the major last month and came away with really positive things to say. Maybe Lefty, who’s priced at +1,800 to win his very first US Open, really does feel the course is made just the way he likes it.
Henrik Stenson
Stenson doesn’t have much in the way of experience at Chambers Bay, but he does have experience (and success) playing on links courses. Stenson finished second behind Mickelson in the 2013 Open Championship at Muirfield, the closest Stenson has ever gotten to a major in his career.
A lot of Stenson’s success in that tournament was due to his excellent approach game, which remains one of the best on tour. This season, the sweet-stroking Swede is second in greens in regulation percentage (72.22 percent), and sixth in Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green. He’s also been pretty useful on the greens, ranking 15th in Strokes Gained: Putting.
With his excellent shot making ability and his success in links courses, Stenson, a +2,800 sleeper to win, will once again be in the running for that elusive major.
Jordan Spieth
Spieth is one of those aforementioned golfers that has actually experienced playing at Chambers Bay. He played there during the 2010 US Amateur, but a then-17-year old Spieth didn’t last long as he failed to make the cut.
However, Spieth has made some major strides in the five years since that tournament. (See: his five PGA tournament wins, three coming this year.) He’s become one of the best players in the game today, and will come in as a +800 favorite. Spieth’s excellent putting game will be crucial in keeping him in contention. He is second this season in overall putting average.
Spieth has also proven to be a pretty quick learner since his last encounter with Chambers Bay. He needed no time at all to master Augusta – he finished second and first in his only two tournaments there. The much-improved version of Spieth – one armed with the experience of playing on the course – will surely be one of the contenders at Chambers Bay.
