Olaniyi AyoolaPaige Spiranac, the influential golf creator known for her candid commentary, recently shared her insights on what could unfold at this year’s U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club. Acknowledging the course will test every aspect of a player’s game with its lightning-fast greens, punishing rough, and infamous bunkers, she highlighted two clear favorites—Scottie Scheffler and two-time champion Bryson DeChambeau—but urged fans to watch for surprises.
In her preview, Spiranac remarked on the brutal nature of Oakmont, comparing the thick rough to “a bowl of oatmeal” and stressing that every shot will matter . While acknowledging that the cream usually rises to the top in majors, she emphasized that the course’s difficulty might allow dark horses to shine.
In an unexpected twist, Spiranac named Harris English and Ben Griffin as her dark horse picks. She pointed to English’s exceptional form—including a win at the Farmers Insurance Open and a runner-up finish at Quail Hollow—and spotlighted Griffin’s consistent results like tying for eighth at the PGA Championship along with victories at the Zurich Classic and Charles Schwab Challenge. These players, she believes, are poised to make a serious move if chaos ensues.
Perhaps the most surprising omission from her list was Rory McIlroy, despite his tumultuous yet stellar season. Spiranac, a long-time supporter, chose not to include him among contenders this week . McIlroy, fresh from completing the career Grand Slam at the Masters and following mixed results at the PGA Championship and Canadian Open, has reportedly undertaken a “mental reset” in preparation for Oakmont’s punishing conditions.
With the U.S. Open underway from June 12–15 at Oakmont, Spiranac’s picks set the stage for what could be a dramatic and unpredictable showdown where unconventional contenders might upend expectations.
Olaniyi Ayoola
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