This week I am on the Driving Range at The Country Club at Brookline for the third golf Major of 2022, the 122nd US Open.
Firstly, congratulations to Rory McIlroy on last week’s win at the Canadian Open.
It was back to the old freewheeling Rory! Very impressive and let’s all hope he can be in contention at the weekend this week, it is always good for golf to have Rory in the mix on Sunday afternoon in a tournament.
I have got five players this week in the field: Matt Fitzpatrick, Sean Crocker, Victor Perez, Thomas Pieters and Brooks Koepka.
Matt's recent record
I would personally like to think the time has arrived for Matt to go to the next level this week.
Let’s look at his recent record: he is aged 27 years old, 18th in the OWGR and is the top Englishman in the OWGR ahead of Tyrrell Hatton, Paul Casey and Tommy Fleetwood.
Fitzpatrick won over this golf course in the 2013 US Amateur Championship.
Is it his time? Maybe the stars are aligned?
Matt never seems especially happy, he just needs a bit more confidence that only he can create and his time will come.
When you are in comfortable surroundings anything can be achieved. His caddie Billy Foster will be important this week. Fingers crossed that both Matt and Billy can win their first Major. He is also staying with the same friends he stayed with in 2013. That is a very positive sign.
Never write off Brooks Koepka.
Brooks is 32 years old, and currently 19th in the OWGR.
He is has had some unsettling injuries recently that have certainly impacted his playing schedule and performances. In 2018 he got to No 1 in the OWGR and stayed there for 47 weeks.
Rough is thick around greens
Over the last four years only four people have beaten him in the US Open, with a Win, Win, second and fourth record.
Not to forget his two US PGA Championship wins in 2018 and 2019. The golf course is tough but fair, the fairways are somewhat more generous than typical US Opens, but the rough is thick around the greens.
One final thought for the day!
A great spectacle
The prizefund for this week has just been announced at $17.5 million, with the winner receiving $3.15 million. Last year it was $12.5 million. Now that is quite a statement from USGA CEO Mike Whan!
I am sure it will be a great spectacle as it is always is. Good luck to all for the 2022 US Open and enjoy the watch!
— Peter Cowen is 71 years old and one of the world’s top golf coaches. He has Peter Cowen Academies at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, Emirates Golf Club and Jumeirah Golf Estates and is headquartered in Rotherham, England
