The Power Fade Golf Blog

Update 6/16/2014
Great job by Martin Kaymer in successfully making out national championship a boring event. Top 10 Included below:
1 KAYMER,Martin -9
T2 COMPTON,Erik -1
T2 FOWLER,Rickie -1
T4 BRADLEY,Keegan 1
T4 DAY,Jason 1
T4 KOEPKA,Brooks 1
T4 JOHNSON,Dustin 1
T4 STENSON,Henrik 1
T9 SCOTT,Adam 2
T9 WALKER,Jimmy 2
T9 SNEDEKER,Brandt 2

It’s that time again. It’s hell week. It’s our national championship, the ultimate test of golf, this year returning to Pinehurst #2, site of Payne Stewart’s victory in 1999. A lot of hype surrounds Phil Mickelson due to his runner-up finish at the last Pinehurst Open AND his runner-up finish at last year’s US Open. There will be plenty to talk about, of course, as with any major championship. Lo and behold, LG and I need to make our picks. With about as much certainty as we always have, here are our picks (it should be noted that JK and LG have $100 on Spieth vs. McIlroy):

JK:
Winner: Jordan Spieth Kaymer. Spieth T17
Winning Score: E -9
Runner Up: Billy Horschel correct answer: Fowler and Erik Compton. Horschel T23 at +6
Low Amateur: Oliver Goss MC
“Unknown” in the Top 10: Stephen Gallacher MC
Last Year’s Winner (Justin Rose) Will … (Win, Top10, Make the Cut, or Miss the Cut): Make the Cut, just outside of Top10 exactly right. T12
How many prior US Open winners will be in the Top 10: 1 actually, 0. Furyk was closest at T12
Masters Champion (Bubba) will …: M/C. This isn’t a bomber’s course Correct.
British Open Champion (Phil Mickelson) will …: Make cut Correct.
PGA Champion (Jason Dufner) will …: Top 10. Incorrect. MC
Sergio Garcia will…: Top 10 Incorrect. T35
Dustin Johnson will…: Top 10 Correct. T4 at +1
Rickie Fowler will…: MC Not exactly. T2.
Jordan Spieth will…: Win nope
Jimmy Walker (current Fedex points leader) will…: Top 10. Correct. T9 at +2
Adam Scott (current world #1) will…: Make the cut Actually, Top 10
What will be the major storyline of the tournament: Spieth’s redemption from his loss at Augusta. Kaymer runs away with it
What is your Bold prediction: Tiger makes some odd announcement in the middle of the tournament to get the attention back on him. awwww. we could’ve used something besides golf this week.

LG:
Winner: Rory McIlroy LG Fail. T23
Winning Score: -3 -9
Runner Up: Sergio Garcia Incorrect
Low Amateur: Fitzpatrick Correct
“Unknown” in the Top 10: Erik Compton hell of a pull here, LG. CORRECT!
Last Year’s Winner (Justin Rose) Will … (Win, Top10, Make the Cut, or Miss the Cut): Miss Cut incorrect
How many prior US Open winners will be in the Top 10: 2 Incorrect
Masters Champion (Bubba) will …: Miss Cut Correct
British Open Champion (Phil Mickelson) will …: Top 10 Incorrect
PGA Champion (Jason Dufner) will …: Miss Cut Correct
Sergio Garcia will…: Runner Up Incorect
Dustin Johnson will…: Top 10 Correct
Rickie Fowler will…: Make Cut Incorrect. T2, not just Make Cut
Jordan Spieth will…: Make cut Correct
Jimmy Walker (current Fedex points leader) will…: Miss Cut Incorrect. Top 10
Adam Scott (current world #1) will…: Top 10 Correct
What will be the major storyline of the tournament: Amazing leaderboard going into the weekend, but the lowest ratings for the U.S. Open ever. probably true
What is your Bold prediction: Sergio has a 2 shot lead going into the back nine, but Rory comes storming back from 4 back to win. not even close, but i like the boldness shown here