The USGA announced their parents for the 2020 US Open. As always, there’s a reason for the Thursday-Friday pairings:
Hideki Matsuyama-Patrick Reed-Jordan Spieth
This group is intriguing because of the dust-up between Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth. Now they have to spend two days together in the same group. Allegedly they have “hugged it out“. It will be interesting to see if it impacts either one of them.
Collin Morikawa-Justin Thomas-Tiger Woods
Justin Thomas is one of the favorites this weekend. Thomas won three times during the 2020 season including finishing T2 in the Tour Championship. Anytime Tiger Woods is in a group it is “must-see”. No one knows what to expect from Woods but with the rough at Winged Foot combined with his fragile health, he will need to avoid hitting the ball all over the place. Morikawa has had one heck of a season. He’s won twice on Tour this season and could be a threat to win the US Open in the future.
Bryson DeChambeau-Dustin Johnson-Tony Finau
Anytime DeChambeau is in a group have your rules book ready. The SMU alum has spent the 2020 season questioning every rules official on Tour… ok… all of them but you get the picture. Dustin Johnson is ranked number one in the world and is coming off winning the Tour Championship. If Johnson keeps the ball in a playable position, he’ll be tough to beat. Tony Finua has being hanging around in striking distance all season but Winged Foot’s setup might put him in a position just to make the cut.
Rickie Fowler-Matthew Wolff-Viktor Hovland (Okla State)
This group is an ode to how great the Oklahoma State program is. It’s not a secret that they crank out golfers in Stillwater but all three of them will be challenged to make the cut.
Other groups to follow:
Tyrrell Hatton-Henrik Stenson-Danny Willett
Webb Simpson-Sergio Garcia-Jason Day
Ian Poulter-Patrick Cantlay-Steve Stricker
Joaquin Niemann-Sungjae Im-Cameron Champ
Matt Fitzpatrick-Daniel Berger-Branden Grace
