2023 U.S. Open golf pool picks: Scottie Scheffler, Collin Morikawa and a tier-by-tier breakdown

Welcome to U.S. Open week! While the golfing world was busy reacting to the shocking PGA Tour/LIV Golf merger, the USGA was putting the final touches on this year’s stunning venue: Los Angeles Country Club. One of the most exclusive clubs in the country is set to unveil all of its Hollywood stardom to a global audience. What can you expect? A sweeping layout with deep barrancas, elevated greens, deep rough and maniacal bunkering. The most difficult test in golf awaits.

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Today we’ll discuss how to play your classic U.S. Open pool based on the Official World Golf Rankings. Even if your pool doesn’t exactly mirror what is outlined below, I’ve identified players using a tier-by-tier approach who could make the cut and contend on Sunday.

How this works: I’ll select one player from each tier of 10 inside the Official World Golf Rankings top 50. I’ll also select two wildcards outside the top 50.

Los Angeles Country Club

Los Angeles Country Club hosts its first U.S. Open this weekend. It hosted the 2017 Walker Cup, which saw Collin Morikawa, Scottie Scheffler, Cameron Champ and other golfers that are now household names compete. Its designer is George C. Thomas, Jr., who also designed Riviera Country Club. It will be the first time Los Angeles has hosted a U.S. Open in 75 years. This course is in Beverly Hills, and the Playboy mansion is near 13th green.

LACC’s North course underwent a renovation in 2010 led by Gil Hanse to restore it to its original design, similar to what we saw at Oak Hill earlier this year at the PGA Championship. It’ll play at 7,381 yards for the U.S. Open as a par 70 with five par 3s and three par 5s. The fairways should be wider than your typical U.S. Open setup.

The most interesting hole may be No. 6 — the short par 4. Almost every player in the field should be able to blast it over the trees and attempt to land it on the small green. But trouble and high scores lurk if the drive goes offline.

Tier 1 (1-10) | Scottie Scheffler

I’m not overlooking the world’s No. 1 player, Scottie Scheffler, at Los Angeles Country Club. This setup is going to demand pinpoint accuracy and place an emphasis on strategy and golf IQ. Scheffler checks all those boxes and is clearly the best player in the world right now. The strokes-gained statistics in his last 12 rounds vs. the U.S. Open field are absurd. He ranks first in strokes gained tee-to-green, ball striking, off-the-tee and approach. The putting is another story. It’s been very poor and ranks 118th during that same timeframe. Knowing he skipped the Canadian Open and had a week off to reset helps. Much time and energy will be spent getting a little more comfortable with his putter and getting back into a groove. He’ll need to see one drop early on Thursday to kickstart things. It’s all about confidence.

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Tier 2 (11-20) | Collin Morikawa

Collin Morikawa played exceptionally well in the 2017 Walker Cup at LACC and did not lose a match in four starts. The United States team, including Scottie Scheffler, dominated Great Britain and Ireland 19-7 that year. Due to the emphasis on accuracy, Collin Morikawa might thrive here once again. Morikawa will be able to use his strength on this golf course and work the ball into tight hole locations, especially from left to right. The 26-year-old is not having the best season of his career but returning to his hometown to play the U.S. Open on a familiar golf course could be the perfect elixir.

Tier 3 (21-30) | Hideki Matsuyama

Hideki Matsuyama has been quietly playing some really good golf this season. Yes, the win isn’t there, but if you dive into the numbers, you’ll see a player just on the cusp of competing for another major championship. In five of his last six starts, Matsuyama has finished in the top 25. In his last 24 rounds vs. the field, Hideki ranks 12th in strokes-gained total. Matsuyama plays well at Augusta National because he has such great command when trying to place the ball into certain pin locations. Those same traits can be used here; a strong mental game also helps create an advantage. This golf course should really suit him.

Tier 4 (31-40) | Adam Scott

Adam Scott has three top-10 finishes in his last four starts. Need I say more? The Australian is in the midst of a career renaissance, and it seems like his achilles’ heel of putting is under control thanks to the broomstick putter. Scott falls into the same category as all the other players I’ve rostered. He’s a classy player that really knows how to control his golf ball. I don’t think the winner’s strategy will smash it 330 yards. Strength out of the rough will be key, but making birdies accurate will go a lot further. In the Australian’s last 24 rounds vs. the field he ranks 15th in strokes-gained total. He’s bringing the full package to Los Angeles.

Tier 5 (41-50) | Rickie Fowler

Rickie Fowler finds himself in a career renaissance in 2023. He’s one of the best players in the world. There’s no win to show for it, but if you look at some crucial statistics and recent finishes, you’ll realize that Fowler has turned the page. He’s changed it by working with Butch Harmon to make some much-needed swing changes, and he’s as confident as ever with irons. Off-the-tee has always been really difficult for Rickie, and he has seen improvement. In his last 24 rounds vs. the field, Rickie ranks sixth in strokes gained tee-to-green and eighth in strokes gained. We all know the now veteran can roll it, and his switch to the mallet putter with the longer shaft has been something that has reinvigorated his game. I’m excited to see whether Rickie can get himself in contention only about two hours from where he was born and raised.

Wild Cards (50+) | Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau

Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau are my picks outside of the top 50 OWGR as wildcards. As much as I’d like to ride the hand of Nick Taylor or back a solid putter like Taylor Montgomery, it makes too much sense not to grab these two major champions while their rankings are so low, thanks to LIV Golf. Brooks Koepka proved at the PGA Championship that a world-class player could be ready for a major regardless of tour membership.

(Photo of Scottie Scheffler: Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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