I am so PUMPED for this week. Los Angeles Country Club will be a great test for the 2023 U.S. Open. Make sure to take a look at the preview video that the team put together. This really shows how players will be tested both physically and mentally on every shot. That is the epitome of the U.S. Open and why this week should be awesome to watch.

So what exactly is needed to succeed at a U.S. Open and at LACC’s North Course? A player must mentally maneuver around the course with patience, that’s how chances of success are maximized each hole. This is what the USGA loves to do. You won’t see players firing at every pin like a normal week on the PGA Tour. Players will need to hit precise approach shots, or they will be faced with difficult up and downs. Focus on players who are above average with their irons (especially from 175-plus yards), above average around the green, and near the top of the bogey avoidance metric.

Let’s take a look at a few of the favorites to target:

Scottie Scheffler $11,400

As weird as this may sound, I think this week is a great buy-low spot for Scheffler. All you keep on hearing in the media is that he is struggling with his putting and that Jon Rahm and Brooks Koepka have already won a major this year. Let’s not forget that he has six wins in the last 16 months, including the 2023 Players and 2022 Masters. His ballstriking has never been better yet people are talking about how he is in a bit of a slump. He has finished 12th or better in each of his last 16 events!!! He ranks first in approach, off the tee, around the green, and bogey avoidance!!! That is absolutely insane! Now yes, I realize he is towards the bottom of the ranks in putting metrics but ballstriking reigns supreme in majors, especially the U.S. Open. Don’t overthink it this week. Play Scheffler at $11,400.

Xander Schauffele $9,600

Xander’s game is perfectly made for the U.S. Open, as he avoids bogeys and plods around making pars when conditions are tough. So it comes as no surprise that his U.S. Open results read: 14th, 7th, 5th, 3rd, 6th and 5th. He is second in bogey avoidance behind Scheffler and ranks top 10 in approach shots, while coming in above average for every other metric. His consistency is outstanding. He hasn’t finished outside the top 40 since last August at the St Jude in Memphis. Lock him in at a cheap price of $9,600.

Cameron Smith $9,000

Smith isn’t the prototypical player you think would contend at a U.S. Open due to his inconsistent accuracy off the tee. However, LACC is a bit different than many U.S. Opens. There are wider landing areas and this course should play firmer and faster with plenty of opportunities for Smith to show off his elite iron game and deft touch on and around the greens. People seem to forget how good he was just a year ago because he is now at LIV. Since the beginning of last season, Smith has won the 2022 Players, 2022 Open Championship and finished top 13 in three of the other five majors he played. Take advantage of this reduced price on Smith.

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Later this week, I will also have a Longshots article as well as a Best Bets article similar to what you have seen from me for the other men’s majors in recent years.

Past Picks: Paulie on the 2022 U.S. Open, including a Matt Fitz pick