Choosin' Texas: The Bearded Talisman's 126th US Open Preview

Scottie Scheffler to WIN +455:   1^st, T-3^rd, T-4^th, T-12^th, T-24th, T-22^nd, 2^nd, 2^nd, 2^nd, T-14^th, 3^rd and T-12^th.   Those are Scottie Scheffler’s finishes in 2026.   Every other golfer on Earth would kill for those results, except Scottie has set the bar so high, any year without multiple wins and major championships is a “disappointment”.   At the Masters in April, Scottie became the first golfer since 1942 to play a bogey-free weekend.  No one remembers that because he finished 2^nd.   Then at the Byron Nelson in May, Scottie came within an inch of becoming the first golfer since 1983 to go an entire tournament without making a “5”.   Can you imagine playing 72 holes and not making a 5?   But no one remembers Scottie at the Byron because Wyndham Clark shot -11 in the final round to win.   Perhaps the lack of wins is due to a lack of focus, as ever since Waste Management back in February Scottie has struggled in the opening round of most events.   His frustrations boiled over at the 16^th hole during the opening round of The Memorial when he vented on his caddie for a club selection mistake.    Still, Scottie rallied to make the cut and logged a respectable T-12^th.      With this year’s US Open comes Scottie’s first chance to complete the career Grand Slam, and this is the tournament Scottie has had circled since completing the 3^rd leg of the Grand Slam last July at Royal Portrush.     Focus should not be a problem whatsoever this week and he understands the historical significance of becoming only the 7^th golfer ever to complete the career Grand Slam.    And if he completes it Sunday, he will do so on his 30^th birthday, and on Father’s Day – as if he needed any more motivation.   The course – Shinnecock Hills in Southampton, New York – also favors Scheffler.      It is an extremely difficult course, even by US Open standards.   In 2018 when Brooks Koepka won at Shinnecock, no golfer including Koepka broke par.   Scottie likes the conditions more difficult because he knows only a handful of golfers can compete with him on an extremely difficult course over 72 holes.     The weather should be favorable for Scottie also – currently there is a chance of light rain Thursday and Friday, but the weekend is shaping up to be sunny – with very little chance of Scottie with all the foot action slipping on the tee box .   Ultimately I think Scottie gets off to a good start Thursday and ultimately pulls away from the field.   This week he will stay focused for all 72 holes. I’m choosing the Texas Longhorn, by a wide margin.

Wyndham Clark to win WITHOUT Scottie Scheffler 36-1:  Last 3 events: Shot -30 to win the Byron Nelson in May, then nearly won the Memorial - and just got a T-11th in Toronto today.    He's driving the ball really well – a must at Shinnecock - and right now he’s on fire with the putter.

Editor's note: The Bearded Talisman (BT) is one of the most successful golf gamblers in the world. He has won nine majors pre-tourney, including the 2025 PGA Championship and the 2025 Open.  BT is the only sports gambler known to have completed the COVID Slam, winning all 4 golf majors within a 12 month period. https://www.mylifeontheline.com/post/the-covid-slam   He resides in Kansas City, and is often seen in The Woodlands, Texas area having fajitas and going to A&M games with Kaylee and Charlee Kay.