Golf Unfiltered Podcast 72: 2016 US Open Picks

In what can only be described as a last-minute podcast, this week's episode of the Golf Unfiltered Podcast features me rambling for 20 minutes about the 2016 US Open at Oakmont. I run down a few thoughts on the favorites for the tournament, why I think Jason Day won't make the cut, and why Dustin Johnson will win. Actually... I go into more reasons why he won't win... but I'm still picking him, dammit!

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Golf Unfiltered Podcast 17: Matt Castonguay

This week on the Golf Unfiltered Podcast we welcome back Matt Castonguay, Senior Editor at Bunkers Paradise! Matt wasn't only the first ever interview guest on the podcast, but he's also now the first ever repeat guest! I feel like we should make him a t-shirt or something. Perhaps a championship belt? Anyway, Matt and I share what we thought about Fox Sports' US Open coverage and how we might be spoiled from decades of watching other networks "do things right." We then transition into a quick discussion on Chambers Bay, how Tiger Woods got absolutely destroyed and what Jordan Spieth means to the game from a historical context.

Are we living in the best era of golf in the sport's history? You won't want to miss this hot take from one of the best golf bloggers in the business.

Follow Matt on Twitter @mcastonguay27.

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Fantasy Golf Picks: 2013 Travelers Championship

Justin Rose won the 2013 US Open last week, so obviously the best thing for him to do is compete the very next week at the 2013 Travelers Championship in Hartford, CT. Rose will be the hottest player on the planet coming into a tournament usually preferred by first-time winners on the PGA TOUR. Defending champion Marc Leishman broke his Tour victory cherry last year at this event and will look for a repeat come Thursday. Other big names in the field include Jason Dufner, Keegan Bradley, Charley Hoffman and Webb Simpson.

Don't be surprised to see Ian Poulter come out as the winner this week. The flashy Englishman had a strong showing at last week's US Open (T-21) and seems to be more confident in stroke-play than ever before.

Fantasy Golf Picks: 2013 US Open Championship

The season's second major is set to tee off at Merion Golf Club just west of Philadelphia (born and raised, on the playground is where I spent most... nevermind). Tiger Woods is once again the overwhelming favorite headed into Thursday, however a slew of young first-time winners are drooling at the bit for another victory in 2013. Phil Mickelson had a strong showing last week at the FedEx St. Jude Classic, however can Lefty keep his poise to finally win his first US Open? Matt Kuchar is the only other two-time winner this season, and coming off his win at The Memorial two weeks ago, he might be a strong second favorite.

Let's not forget about reigning Masters Champion Adam Scott. While he has been quiet since his victory at Augusta, Scott has proven he can remain patient and consistent in the most nerve-racking situations.

Here are my picks for the 2013 US Open from Merion Golf Club.

Fantasy Golf Picks: 2012 U.S. Open Championship

The year's second major is set to tee-off this week from the beautiful Olympic Club in San Francisco. All eyes are likely to be on defending champion Rory McIlroy as he looks to put this year's struggles behind him and make a run for a second consecutive Open title. Tiger Woods is the odds-on favorite thanks to his recent win at the Memorial Tournament, but names like Jason Dufner, Luke Donald, and Dustin Johnson are also on the top of their games. Here are my fantasy golf picks for the 2012 U.S. Open Championship.

5 Questions With... Hale Irwin

As many of our regular readers know, we at ChicagoDuffer.com like to provide a unique insight into the lives of some of golf's biggest personalities via a segment titled "5 Questions With...". Past guests for this segment include the PGA TOUR's John Daly and Mark Wilson, ESPN's Paul Azinger and The Golf Channel's Jason Sobel. This week we welcome the first World Golf Hall of Famer on the segment: Hale Irwin.

Hale Irwin's professional career is something that any golfer would love to have under his (or her) belt. He boasts 87 professional wins on his resume, including 20 on the PGA TOUR and an astounding 45 on the Champions Tour. Irwin has also played on 5 Ryder Cup teams in his career and three US Open Championships (1974, 1979, and 1990). Thanks to his impressive career and success in some of his generation's biggest tournaments, Irwin was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1992. Following his playing career, Irwin has established himself as a leading golf course architect having designed numerous courses around the globe.

I had the opportunity to correspond with Mr. Irwin recently, asking him our usual five questions pertaining to golf. Here are his responses:

ChicagoDuffer.com: Where did you receive your first set of golf clubs?

Irwin: My first "set" of clubs were cut-off shafts with taped grips of no particular brand (that I can remember) and were every other club, maybe.  My first "half" set came to me at Christmas at about 12 years of age--Wilson Sam Snead Blue Ridges.

Who did you look up to in the golfing world when growing up?

My father as there were no pros where I lived.

What was the best golf tip you received when learning to play the game?

Never give up as golf can change quickly as long as you play within yourself.

If you could play a match against anyone in the world, who would it be and why?

Players of great success and fortitude of yesteryear-- e.g., Hogan, Snead, Jones, and Nelson

Players of my era--e.g., Nicklaus, Palmer, Player, Watson, Ballesteros, and Faldo 

Players of today--e.g., (yet to be determined)

What is the most annoying golf term used on television today?

"Not a very good effort"--how do they know?

We'd like to thank Mr. Irwin for his time and willingness to participate in our segment this month and wish him the best of luck in his future golf endeavors!

Fantasy Golf Picks: U.S. Open

The second major of the season is underway this week as the U.S. Open returns to Congressional Country Club in Bethsheda, Maryland.  As you see by most of my picks this week above, length off the tee is the biggest thing to keep in mind as this year's rendition of America's Open will be the longest in U.S. Open history (over 7,300 yards).  Here are my choices for this week's fantasy golf picks for the 2011 U.S. Open Championship.

A List:

Starter: Phil Mickelson; Bench: Dustin Johnson

Both Lefty and D.J. are extremely long off the teebox, which will prove to be helpful this week at Congressional.  Mickelson is always a lock to be on my fantasy golf roster for a major, and his recent strong play makes him somewhat of a favorite to win yet another major.  Dustin Johnson is quickly becoming the owner of the "best player without a major" title, however if he can keep his driver in-play and maintain his consistency around the greens he very well may be on the first page of the leaderboard come Sunday.  From a purely fantasy golf-perspective, both men have been recording great numbers throughout the year (both average over 30 fantasy points a tournament), and Mickelson has yet to miss a cut in 11 tournaments this season.  When all is said and done, and if he stays healthy throughout four rounds of golf, Mickelson may be the victor.

B List:

Starters: Bubba Watson, Hunter Mahan; Bench: Steve Stricker, David Toms

The choice of starting Bubba and Hunter are obvious: distance and power.  At the risk of sounding like a broken record in this post, you have to go with guys who pound the ball this week; plain and simple.  Stricker and Toms - on the contrary - are anything but power-hitters but still manage to make their way around the course and into the top-10 of most tournaments they have played this season (4 top-10's and 5 top-10's, respectively).  Hunter is the only guy in this ground of players that doesn't have a victory in 2011, but his 37+ point average for fantasy gurus is impressive in its own right.  Look for Stricker to find his way onto my starting line-up at some point this weekend, especially on Saturday where he averages a whopping 14 fantasy points thusfar in 2011.  Personally, I'm not sure if the champion will come out of the B-List this week, but a ton of fantasy points will.

C List:

Starter: Adam Scott; Bench: Alvaro Quiros

Heck, why not?  If Tiger can't make it to the tournament, his caddy might as well, right?  Steve Williams is carrying for Adam Scott - who has earned various Tiger comparisons throughout his career - and very well could be exactly what the young Australian needs to get over the major-hump this week.  Alvaro Quiros played exceptional golf in the year's first major - The Masters - and is the longest hitter on Tour.  Both Scott and Quiros have absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain this week in Maryland.