History will always be made at a major championship.

We’re trying to figure out what kind or how much!

With a minimum of $2.25 million for the winner, we’d like to get it right!

Defending #USOpen champion @B_DeChambeau is hoping to become the first player to go back-to-back since… Brooks Koepka.

— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 16, 2021

2020-2021 OAD

50 events, the most since the mid-70s, will give us plenty of time for strategy, strength and disaster.

Remember, if you don’t like it, you get DOUBLE YOUR MONEY BACK!

2020-2021 Events	Golfers	Place	Total $$
Safeway Open	Brendan Steele	T29	41,391
120th United States Open	Jon Rahm	T23	101,797
Corales Punta Cana	Pat Perez	T21	39,000
Sanderson Farms Championship	Doc Redman	T28	46,200
Shriners Hospitals for Children	Patrick Cantlay	T8	190,750
CJ CUP @ SHADOW CREEK	Matthew Wolff	73rd	16,575
ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP	Tyrrell Hatton	T28	50,137
Bermuda Championship	Will Zalatoris	T16	61,000
Vivint Houston Open	Tony Finau	T24	58,450
84th Masters Tournament	Justin Thomas	4th	552,000
The RSM Classic	Russell Henley	T30	39,552
Mayakoba Golf Classic	Abraham Ancer	T12	147,600
Sentry TOC	Cameron Smith	T24	63,200
Sony Open in Hawaii	Daniel Berger	T7	200,475
The American Express	Scottie Scheffler	MC	0
Farmers Insurance Open	Marc Leishman	T18	80,761
Waste Management WMPO	Hideki Matsuyama	T42	23,852
AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am	Jason Day	T7	228,930
The Genesis Invitational	Adam Scott	T38	40,455
WGC- Championship (Concession)	Xander Schauffele	T39	55,000
Puerto Rico Open	Emiliano Grillo	T11	72,750
Arnold Palmer Invitational	Rory McIlroy	T10	195,300
THE PLAYERS Championship	Tommy Fleetwood	MC	0
The Honda Classic	Joaquin Niemann	T25	54,950
WGC- Dell Technologies Match Play	Jason Kokrak	T42	47,571
Corales Puntacana	Thomas Pieters	T13	55,350
Valero Texas Open	Charley Hoffman	2nd	839,300
85th Masters Tournament	Jordan Spieth	T3	667,000
RBC Heritage	Kevin Kisner	MC	0
Valspar Championship	Patrick Reed	MC	0
Wells Fargo Championship	Corey Conners	T43	25,069
AT&T Byron Nelson	Ryan Palmer	T47	20,958
PGA Championship	Viktor Hovland	T30	59,750
Charles Schwab Challenge	Brian Harman	T8	198,875
Memorial Tournament	Collin Morikawa	P2	1,013,700
Palmetto Championship	Matt Fitzpatrick	T10	177,025
Total Events: 36	Top 10: 10	MC: 3	$5,464,723

Last Week – Palmetto Championship at Congaree

THE CHOICE: Matt Fitzpatrick – T10

Three weeks running with a top 10 makes me happy!

Better late than never from the Englishman as he moved up 17 spots with a final round 66. After opening 71-70, I wasn’t counting on much but his rally at least makes it look like I know what I’m doing.

Maybe it was changing the name from Matthew to Matt inspired me!

Safety Dance:

Players in here will appear obvious until I explain why they might not be. Remember “one” means ONCE, not again down the road or don’t perhaps “fit” to this event.

Brutal week with a thin field = no surprise I was a bit garbage. Hitting the top 10 with my main pick was a bonus and Doc Redman helped me just about everywhere.

Sungjae Im: Since every course he’s played over the last few years is essentially “new” to him, what’s another week? He won on exceptionally fast greens at PGA National and can handle most ball-striking duties. T35. Great rally to even make the cut after opening with 75.

Lucas Glover: Yeah, that’s where we are this week.  He’s a Professional Ambassador so this leads me to believe he’s seen the course more than most and any advantage this week should be noted. Man, more times than not we see the local guy too distracted to do the job. MC.

Alex Noren: Cashed six straight and four of the last five in the top 25. Yeah, we thin. MC on the number but we were digging here anyhow.

Dustin Johnson/Brooks Koepka: They both have “showupability”. If they show up, they can win. Koepka won in Memphis before the 2020 PGA Championship so that excuse doesn’t fly with me. DJ notoriously played Memphis before the US Open and had plenty of success there. This field is excruciatingly thin and those boys know that as well. Native son T10 was disappointing in the end considering those around him. Koepka didn’t make anything and went home early. I’m not patting myself on the back for a DJ top 10.

Spicy:

Kevin Kisner: It’s just not happening for him but a change of scenery is a perfect tonic. So is his preference to Bermuda. MC. Maybe the new tonic should include Gin…A LOVELY SUMMER DRINK.

Ian Poulter: No offense to the 40+ crowd but until he’s Stewart Cink or Brian Gay, he’s not. He’s not a notorious winner so that’s why he falls here. T25 sounds about right.

Keith Mitchell: Went close on Champion Bermuda/Fazio at Quail Hollow. Didn’t break par in two rounds, MC.

Harold Varner III: Strength is tee to green. Make a few putts. Another with regional ties that didn’t fire, MC.

3 AM at the Blackjack Table:

Matthew NeSmith – T35, Doc Redman – T2, Russell Knox – T35, Rafa Cabrera Bello – MC, Satoshi Kodaira – T19, Hank Lebioda – T31.

This Week – 121st US Open

Read more in Horses for Courses

And more in the Horses for Courses inside the link above.

Torrey Pines hosts the Farmers annually. There’s a reason some guys play this event and some don’t. I’d probably connect some dots with that if you’re down to splitting hairs.

It’s a major championship on a majorly difficult golf course so it’s time for BIG LUMBER.

The list of US Open champions since 2010 is immense:

Previous Winners

2020: Bryson DeChambeau

2019: Gary Woodland

2018: Brooks Koepka

2017: Brooks Koepka

2016: Dustin Johnson

2015: Jordan Spieth

2014: Martin Kaymer

2013: Justin Rose

2012: Webb Simpson

2011: Rory McIlroy

2010: Graeme McDowell

Only three of these winners can be classified as non-power players and if you need me to point them out, maybe you should try parlay cards instead.

Bryson DeChambeau changed his entire diet and life to get onto this list.

Also, every major champion since Keegan Bradley at the 2011 PGA Championship has been inside the top 50 OWGR.

Except for Phil. But he has his own category, as usual.

THE CHOICE: Brooks Koepka

I have DJ, Dechambeau and Koepka for the ride in. I’m going simply with the player who has the best results in this championship and it’s Koepka and it’s not even close. Check Horses for Courses above for US Open results.

Am I worried about his knee? Sure. Am I worried that he doesn’t play well here? Sure. But if he’s as serious about setting his life/body/mind around majors, I’m willing to get on board.

Safety Dance:

Players in here will appear obvious until I explain why they might not be. Remember “one” means ONCE, not again down the road or don’t perhaps “fit” to this event.

Jon Rahm: In my home game, we started at Safeway last year so I went with Rahm at Winged Foot. I would like a do-over, Commish! He’s handled the Memorial deal as well as he could and he should be more than comfortable at Torrey South.

Xander Schauffele: If not now, when? His worst finish in four of these is T6. Oh, and it’s in his backyard.

Collin Morikawa: Checks the boxes on total driving and approach and should be comfortable on Poa annua.

Dustin Johnson: West coast player so Poa and the vibe won’t bother him.

Spicy:

Bryson DeChambeau: If he really wants to get under Koepka’s skin, win back to back US Opens! Only played this event on TOUR twice and MC each time and that was with a round on the North course. Looks like he’ll be my choice at Caves Valley or Governors Island.

Tony Finau: Yep! Here we are again! In five US Open performances he’s cashed T14, 5th and T8. The best two were on the two hardest courses, Shinnecock and Winged Foot. He’s posted T6 or better in four of his last five at FIO with T13 the WORST result. TAKE MY MONEY.

Patrick Reed: Tough to do the double as he’s already won here in January. His form in 2021 has been beyond solid and his short game is even better.  He’s cashed in six of seven US Open tries, all T35 or better.

Jordan Spieth: With his confidence thru the roof, I’m excited to see what’s in store this week. I would also be excited to hear how many gamers have him left and WHY!

Viktor Hovland: He’s played in two of these. He’s shared 12th as an amateur at Pebble and was T13 at Winged Foot last fall. This isn’t hard.

3 AM at the Blackjack Table:

Shane Lowry, Abraham Ancer, Louis Oosthuizen, Kevin Streelman, Brendan Steele, Wyndham Clark

Check out my previous results below if you need a history lesson.

History Channeled:

2019-2020 – FINAL

Event	Golfer	Place	$$
The Greenbrier	Scottie Scheffler	T7	235,625
Sanderson Farms	Sungjae Im	P2	719,400
Safeway Open	Byeong-Hun An	MC	0
Shriners Hospitals for Children	Scott Piercy	MC	0
Houston Open	Henrik Stenson	MC	0
CJ CUP AT NINE BRIDGES	Marc Leishman	T43	31,785
ZOZO Championship	Hideki Matsuyama	2nd	1,053,000
WGC-HSBC Champions	Xander Schauffele	2nd	1,095,000
Bermuda Championship	Denny McCarthy	T15	51,750
OHL Mayakoba Classic	Russell Knox	T33	36,810
The RSM Classic	Harris English	MC	0
Sentry TOC	Rickie Fowler	T5	285,000
Sony Open	Charles Howell III	T12	116,500
The American Express	Phil Mickelson	MC	0
Farmers Insurance Open	Tony Finau	T6	253,125
Waste Management Phoenix	Bubba Watson	T3	386,900
AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am	Brandt Snedeker	MC	0
Genesis Invitational	Justin Thomas	MC	0
Puerto Rico Open	Viktor Hovland	WIN	540,000
WGC-Mexico Championship	Dustin Johnson	T48	45,500
The Honda Classic	Daniel Berger	T4	280,000
Arnold Palmer Invitational	Tommy Fleetwood	MC	0
THE PLAYERS Championship	Abandoned	No Result	0
Charles Schwab Challenge	Jordan Spieth	T10	181,875
RBC Heritage	Patrick Reed	MC	0
Travelers Championship	Bryson DeChambeau	T6	233,470
Rocket Mortgage Classic	Tyrrell Hatton	T4	300,000
Workday Charity Open	Justin Rose	MC	0
Memorial	Patrick Cantlay	T32	51,925
3M Open	Will Gordon	MC	0
WGC-FESJ Invitational	Brooks Koepka	T2	695,000
Barracuda	Brendan Steele	T53	8,277
PGA Championship	Jon Rahm	T13	192,207
Wyndham Championship	Webb Simpson	T3	312,400
THE NORTHERN TRUST	Jason Day	MC	0
BMW Championship	Collin Morikawa	T20	106780
Total Events: 36	Top 10: 14	MC: 11	0

2018-19 – FINAL

My contributions for the major championships and PLAYERS selection were worse than bad so to still break the $10 million mark with those awful results was encouraging.

Another valuable lesson learned is that the Playoffs are for the big boys. Now, WHICH big boys make this more and more difficult and that’s why it’s enjoyable and maddening all at the same time. Only McIlroy and Woods have won the FedExCup twice so start there.

Event	Golfer	Place	$$
Safeway Open	Brendan Steele	T53	14,610
CIMB Classic	Ryan Moore	T66	12,740
CJ CUP @ 9 BRIDGES	Gary Woodland	2nd	1,026,000
WGC-HSBC Champions	Ian Poulter	21st	93,500
Sanderson Farms	Cameron Davis	MC	0
Shriners	Aaron Wise	T15	101,675
Mayakoba Golf Classic	Charles Howell III	MC	0
The RSM Classic	J.J. Spaun	MC	0
Sentry TOC	Jon Rahm	T8	191,000
Sony Open	Marc Leishman	T3	307,200
60th Desert Classic	Andrew Putnam	T34	29,975
Farmers Insurance	Patrick Cantlay	MC	0
WMPO	Hideki Matsuyama	T15	113,600
AT&T Pebble Beach	Jason Day	T4	334,400
Genesis Open	Justin Thomas	2nd	799,200
WGC-Mexico Champ	Xander Schauffele	T14	128,000
Puerto Rico Open	Graeme McDowell	T42	10,500
The Honda Classic	Adam Scott	MC	0
Arnold Palmer Invitational	Rickie Fowler	T40	35,490
THE PLAYERS Championship	Sergio Garcia	T22	125,000
Valspar Championship	Patrick Reed	MC	0
Corales Punta Cana	Trey Mullinax	T61	6,450
WGC-Match Play	Paul Casey	T9	167,000
Valero Texas Open	Billy Horschel	MC	0
Masters	Rory McIlroy	T21	107,956
RBC Heritage	Matt Kuchar	2nd	745,200
Zurich Classic	Ryan Palmer	WIN	1,051,200
Wells Fargo Championship	Phil Mickelson	MC	0
AT&T Byron Nelson	Keith Mitchell	T59	17,301
PGA Championship	Brooks Koepka	WIN	1,980,000
Charles Schwab Challenge	Jordan Spieth	T8	197,100
Memorial	Tony Finau	MC	0
RBC Canadian Open	Jim Furyk	T27	55,100
U.S. Open	Tiger Woods	T21	117,598
Travelers Championship	Bubba Watson	T54	16,560
Rocket Mortgage Classic	Sungjae Im	T21	68,528
3M Open	Bryson DeChambeau	T2	563,200
John Deere Classic	Collin Morikawa	T4	264,000
The Open Championship	Rafa Cabrera Bello	MC	0
Barbasol Championship	Denny McCarthy	T11	77,000
WGC-FESJI	Dustin Johnson	T20	113,500
Barracuda Championship	Martin Laird	T7	105,437
Wyndham Championship	Webb Simpson	2nd	669,600
THE NORTHERN TRUST	Tommy Fleetwood	T43	27,565
BMW Championship	Brandt Snedeker	T5	351,500
Total Events: 45	Top 10s: 14	MC: 10	$0

2017-18 Thermometer: FINAL

Event	Golfer	Place	$$
Safeway Open	Tony Finau	2nd	669,600
CIMB Classic	Paul Casey	T7	218,166
CJ CUP @ 9 BRIDGES	Keegan Bradley	T47	23,759
WGC-HSBC Champions	Hideki Matsuyama	T50	51,875
Sanderson Farms	Chesson Hadley	T2	464,400
Shriners	Patrick Cantlay	WIN	1,224,000
OHL Classic	Kevin Chappell	MC	0
The RSM Classic	Charles Howell III	MC	0
Sentry TOC	Kevin Kisner	T17	99,333
Sony Open	Brian Harman	T4	256,266
CareerBuilder Challenge	Jason Dufner	T36	27,189
Farmers Insurance	Jon Rahm	T29	43,872
WMPO	Alex Noren	T21	80,040
-AT&T Pebble Beach	Phil Mickelson	T2	488,400
Genesis Open	Dustin Johnson	T16	111,600
Honda Classic	Graeme McDowell	MC	0
WGC-Mexico	Tommy Fleetwood	T14	126,500
Valspar Championship	Ryan Moore	MC	0
Arnold Palmer	Tyrell Hatton	T69	18,067
WGC-Match Play	Patrick Reed	T9	163,000
Corales Puntacana	Patrick Rodgers	T22	27,850
Houston Open	Luke List	T24	54,162
Masters	Jordan Spieth	3rd	748,000
RBC Heritage	Cameron Smith	T32	35,510
Valero Texas Open	Billy Horschel	T11	136,400
Zurich Classic	Bud Cauley	MC	0
Wells Fargo Championship	Bryson DeChambeau	4th	369,600
THE PLAYERS	Francesco Molinari	MC	0
Ft. Worth Invitational	Adam Scott	T52	16,472
AT&T Byron Nelson	Jimmy Walker	T6	257,950
Memorial	Tiger Woods	T23	76,985
FESJC	Henrik Stenson	T26	50,820
US Open	Justin Rose	T10	270,151
FESJC	Xander Schauffele	MC	0
Quicken Loans National	Kyle Stanley	T32	36,841
A Military Tribute	Bubba Watson	T13	121,632
John Deere Classic	Zach Johnson	T16	81,366
British Open	Rory McIlroy	T2	694,250
RBC Canadian Open	Charley Hoffman	T29	37,743
Barracuda	Martin Laird	T15	51,000
WGC-Bridgestone Invite	Rickie Fowler	T17	104,250
PGA Championship	Brooks Koepka	WIN	1,980,000
Wyndham	Brandt Snedeker	WIN	1,080,000
THE NORTHERN TRUST	Jason Day	T20	101,160
Dell Technologies	Marc Leishman	T21	100,800
BMW Championship	Gary Woodland	T12	189,000
TOUR Championship	Justin Thomas	T7	279,900
Total Events: 47	Top 10s: 15	MC: 7	$10,967,909

2016-17 Season total: $6,533,509 45 events

• Wins: 1
• Seconds: 1
• Thirds: 1
• Top 10s: 12
• Top 25s: 20
• MCs (10): Grayson Murray (Safeway Open); Patton Kizzire (SFC); Jamie Lovemark (CB Challenge); Jimmy Walker (FIO); Charl Schwartzel (Genesis); Russell Knox (Honda); Henrik Stenson (API); Thomas Pieters (Zurich); Kevin Kisner (WFC).

2015-16 Season total: $5,978,929; 47 events

• Wins: 2 (Matsuyama, Hoffman)
• Seconds: 0
• Thirds: 1
• Top 10s: 9
• Top 25s: 18
• MC: 8 (Mickelson, FIO; Oosthuizen, SHO; Chappell, Colonial; Casey, Memorial; Woodland, FESJC; Hearn, RBC Canadian; McGirt, Wyndham; Justin Thomas, DBC)

Thanks for reading!