Could An Asian Player Finally Win The US Open?

Editor’s Note: 3 Jack Almanac is pleased to welcome Anthony Distler as a guest author.  Check out more of his work on his site, LLLLet’s Golf!

The US Open is this week, and as everyone and their mother breaks down the list of contenders and tries to figure out who will walk away with the season’s second major, I decided to go a different route. As you all should probably know, the continent of Asia has won only one major in men’s professional golf (Y.E. Yang, ’09 PGA). The US Open will be held in Chambers Bay, Washington this year, a location that I believe will prove beneficial for the Asian players. Asia has never won a US Open, but I wonder, is this the year that streak comes to an end?

I have broken down every player who represents an Asian country and dissected their chances. I have given them a grade, from 0-5. The grades go as follows:

5- A legitimate contender to win the tournament

4- Could see them playing meaningful golf on Sunday and notching a top 10

3- Will make the cut, but likely won’t be part of the conversation on Sunday

2- Making the cut will be a victory in itself

1- Very unlikely to make it past Friday

0- Will fight to break 80 in a round

Note that, at the time of this writing, the field is not yet completely set. There are still six spots to be filled by alternates. While it is unlikely an Asian player will make it, the possibility does still exist. I will respond in a comment if another player from Asia makes the tournament and dissect their chances. Here are the eleven players who have the hopes of an entire continent on their shoulders: Read More