Smylie Kaufman has shared his prediction ahead of the final round of the US Open, with the American believing that it will come down to Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau at Pinehurst No. 2.
The final round in North Carolina is underway, with the leading groups gearing up for the final 18 holes around one of the toughest tests in the game.
It is Bryson DeChambeau who has put himself on pole position at Pinehurst, with the 30-year-old sitting three shots clear of the chasing pack after his third under par round of the week on Saturday.
Rory McIlroy finds himself in a tie for second with Patrick Cantlay and Matthieu Pavon, with two late bogeys denying the Northern Irishman the opportunity to put himself in the final group.
Smylie Kaufman predicts if Rory McIlroy or Bryson DeChambeau will win US Open
You would imagine that the likes of Ludvig Aberg and Hideki Matsuyama are just a little too far back to have an impact on the final result, but they will hope to put themselves in position in case DeChambeau does falter.
DeChambeau does have an injury concern after receiving treatment on his hip during the third round, so it is definitely too early to hand the 2020 champion the trophy for a second time.
Speaking on The Smylie Show after the third round, Kaufman suggested that he expects the tournament to come down to two players, and named who he believes will win.
“Bryson, for me, it’s his to lose tomorrow, I just don’t think Cantlay’s hitting it well enough, I don’t think his iron game’s going to be sharp enough tomorrow to get it done. Pavon, to me, just seems like that’s going to be a couple over par type of round. I can’t imagine Pavon goes out and wins tomorrow, I’d be shocked,” he said.
“I think Rory being in the group in front helps, because anytime you can get the crowd on your side and create a bit of buzz up front, and just get Bryson thinking about it, it sets for really good drama, because the roars back and forth is always so fun on TV.
“But I think it’s a Rory-Bryson battle tomorrow. If it happens any other way, I’d be surprised. My prediction, I think Bryson runs away with it and wins by five, but if he gets off to a bad start or maybe that right leg and hip don’t cooperate, that’s another thing you have to take into account.”
Winning by five is going to be a huge ask
It would be a special performance from DeChambeau if he does manage to win by five. McIlroy does have a tendency to falter on the big stages when he has a realistic chance of glory.
But it seems unlikely that McIlroy, Cantlay and Pavon will all fall away and let DeChambeau have it all his own way, and someone like Aberg could perhaps prove to be a wildcard after leading the way at the halfway stage.
It is hard to bet against DeChambeau right now, but it is definitely not a done deal.
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