The 2025 US Open is here! The Golfing Gazette writers have each made eight important predictions ahead of the tournament.
The first two major championships of the season were excellent. Rory McIlroy’s Masters victory will go down in history, and Scottie Scheffler was imperious at Quail Hollow.
Now, it’s time for probably the toughest event on the calendar, at arguably the most challenging course on the professional golf circuit.
We have assessed eight key aspects of the US Open at Oakmont, from the winner to dark horses and much more.
Eight US Open 2025 predictions
US Open winner
James Shearman: Few players can compete with Scottie Scheffler if he plays well this week. Jon Rahm is one of those, and he’s in good form, with two top-15 finishes at the majors in 2025.
Peter Lynch: Not many people look capable of challenging Scheffler right now, but I think Bryson DeChambeau just about will this week, on a course that should suit him well.
Jordan Harris: Scheffler. This is going to be his Tiger Woods at Pebble Beach 2000 moment.
Antony Martin: Scheffler. Who else? If the world number one performs to his usual standards, he will win by four or five shots.
Lee Connor: Scheffler will win. He’s too accurate, too good, and in form.
Dark horse to win US Open
James Shearman: Corey Conners ranks eighth on the PGA Tour for driving accuracy in 2025, a stat that should be crucial at Oakmont. And his top 10 at the Masters proves he can compete on the biggest stages.
Peter Lynch: He’s shining very brightly on LIV Golf, but with zero major wins and a lot of major struggles, Joaquin Niemann must still be considered a dark horse, and one who could now finally live up to his glowing reputation.
Jordan Harris: Sepp Straka. Precision iron play could be very important, and Straka is hitting the ball as well as anyone in the world right now.
Antony Martin: Russell Henley. He has a history of showing up in big events, and if he drives the ball straight this week, he could find himself in contention come Sunday.
Lee Connor: Straka has played well all year, so it would be no surprise to see him in the mix.
Best LIV golfer at the US Open
James Shearman: Jon Rahm is my pick to win the US Open.
Peter Lynch: I’ve backed him to win the tournament, so it has to be Bryson DeChambeau!
Jordan Harris: DeChambeau will be the only player who will stop Scheffler winning by double figures.
Antony Martin: DeChambeau – he just has everything required to succeed at Oakmont.
Lee Connor: I think Rahm will turn up and take his LIV form into a major.
Where will Scottie Scheffler finish?
James Shearman: Scheffler will finish in the top five at Oakmont, within three strokes of the winner.
Peter Lynch: He simply has to be a contender going into Sunday, finishing second to DeChambeau.
Jordan Harris: First, and not even close.
Antony Martin: Win.
Lee Connor: Winner.
How will Bryson DeChambeau’s US Open title defence go?
James Shearman: Bryson DeChambeau is set to have another strong major championship performance this week at Oakmont. I expect him to finish in the top 10.
Peter Lynch: Top of the pile!
Jordan Harris: Second, five shots clear of anyone else after another impressive major performance.
Antony Martin: DeChambeau will definitely contend at Oakmont. His length off the tee means that he might be able to hit the greens even after finding the rough. A top-5 for Bryson is incoming.
Lee Connor: Top 15.
Where will Rory McIlroy finish?
James Shearman: Everyone is overreacting to Rory McIlroy’s struggles at the Canadian Open, and he won’t miss the cut again. A top 30 finish would be a step in the right direction ahead of The Open at Portrush.
Peter Lynch: McIlroy hasn’t exactly taken off since his win at The Masters, but I still think he has a top 20 finish in him this week.
Jordan Harris: Something tells me he can’t be as bad as he was in Canada, but there will be one bad round in there along the way. I will go for a sneaky top 10.
Antony Martin: Missed cut. Rory has really struggled since winning The Masters. His motivation seems to have dissipated, and his game is a long way from being where it needs to be.
Lee Connor: Top 25.
Top players to miss the cut
James Shearman: Brooks Koepka just isn’t the same player anymore. He would previously have been among the favorites to win this, and now he probably won’t make the weekend.
Peter Lynch: Winner of the US Open the last time it was at Oakmont in 2016 – Dustin Johnson.
Jordan Harris: The optimism surrounding Justin Thomas has evaporated slightly, and his major performances have been underwhelming.
Antony Martin: Rory McIlroy.
Lee Connor: Jordan Spieth will miss the cut along with his good pal Justin Thomas.
US Open winning score
James Shearman: This could be the first US Open won with an over-par final score since Koepka won in 2018. +1 should be enough for Rahm.
Peter Lynch: The weather is set to make Oakmont even more challenging, but I think a score of -4 is still on the cards.
Jordan Harris: Scheffler will finish at -6, with only DeChambeau joining him in breaking par for the week.
Antony Martin: The winning score will be around even-par this week, but due to Scottie’s brilliance, I’m going for -2.
Lee Connor: I think anything under par wins. I’ll go with a -3 for Scheffler.
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