LOS ANGELES – For the first time in 75 years the eyes of the golf world are focused on Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Country Club will open its doors and make its debut as host of the 2023 U.S. Open on Thursday, making for the fifth time the USGA has held a championship at the exclusive club in Beverly Hills.
The third men’s major of the season will provide a unique test this week, and there are more than a few favorites and longshots in the field of 156 players.
Check out the Golfweek and USA TODAY Network staff picks for the 2023 U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club.
Adam Schupak
Favorite: Jordan Spieth
I’m tempted to say Scottie Scheffler but I’m going with a different Texan. Spieth was primed to make a run at the career Grand Slam at the PGA Championship before injuring his wrist. He says it has healed and if his putter warms up, LACC should be the perfect canvas for his creativity to take flight and win a second U.S. Open title.
Longshot: Denny McCarthy
LACC is going to play fast and firm so accuracy will be rewarded and he can putt with the best of them. Still seeking his first PGA Tour win, but he nearly busted through at the Memorial two weeks ago on a big-boy course. His confidence is sky high.
Tom D'Angelo, Palm Beach Post
Favorite: Brooks Koepka
Until somebody proves Koepka has not returned to his perch as the greatest golfer on the planet when the stakes are highest, he’s got to be the favorite. The five-time major winner is healthy and one bad round at the Masters, or “choke” as he said, from entering this week with two major titles in the last two months. As it is, he’s a month removed from winning the PGA Championship, which came a month after his runner-up finish at the Masters.
Longshot: Tommy Fleetwood
Fleetwood came within a playoff of capturing his first PGA Tour title last weekend, losing to Nick Taylor at the Canadian Open. At No. 21 in the world, only Cam Young is ranked higher without a Tour win. The Englishman has four top 20s since finishing 33rd at the Masters. He has been runner-up twice in majors, including the 2019 U.S. Open. That elusive first major and PGA Tour victory could come this week for this longshot.
Riley Hamel
Favorite: Rory McIlroy
It’s time. It’s just time. With everything going on in golf at the moment, it would be fitting for the PGA Tour’s Golden Child to break his major championship winless drought. McIlroy has finished inside the top 10 of the last four U.S. Opens, including a T-5 at The Country Club last year. He’s been in the mix the last three times he’s pegged it, including earning a spot in the final group Sunday at Jack’s Place. After struggling with his swing for months, McIlroy’s been grinding and is close to breaching. It’s time to silence a lot of critics.
Longshot: Adam Scott
I know the name doesn’t say “sleeper,” but the Aussie currently sits at 80/1 to win. After tying for 31st at the RBC Heritage, Scott tied for fifth at the Wells Fargo, for eighth at the AT&T Byron Nelson, for 29th at the PGA Championship and for ninth at the Memorial. He’s made four straight cuts at the U.S. Open, and played well in Brookline, Massachusetts, last year, tying for 14th. If he goes on to win, it’d be his first victory since the 2020 Genesis Invitational.
Cameron Jourdan
Favorite: Scottie Scheffler
In case you’ve somehow missed it recently, Scheffler is struggling on the greens. He is in one of the best stretches in professional golf history from tee-to-green, and on a course that requires numerous shots throughout the 18 holes, Scheffler’s prowess will lift him to his second major victory.
Longshot: Rickie Fowler
Fowler has been in a drought for more than four years, but that could end this week. He has been trending all season, with a strong game from tee-to-green and a talented putter to back it up. Fowler has been near the top of leaderboards in recent weeks, so don’t be surprised to see him there again at LACC.
Adam Woodard
Favorite: Max Homa
I’m a sucker for a home game (spoiler alert for my longshot) and this just feels too good to not be true. The Burbank native and Berkley grad loves competing in his home state, seeing as four of Homa’s six PGA Tour wins have been in California. His major championship record isn’t great, but what a place this would be to turn that around.
Longshot: Sahith Theegala
The former star at Pepperdine who plays from Chino Hills finished T-9 at the Masters this year and has the confidence to withstand the pressure in the big moments. While his driving and approach play have been below average this year, his putting is solid across the board. Theegala is second in birdies this PGA Tour season, so if he can find the fairway, look out.
