Scattered Thoughts: Key Storylines Through Two Days of US Open Qualifying
I outlined a few trends that I've noticed early in US Open qualifying and make a prediction for the show.
Through two days and 16 games of the most difficult tournament of the season, Andrew Anderson leads the field at +243. EJ Tackett, Wesley Low, Jason Belmonte and Ronnie Russell round out the top five.
But who cares about the top-five with 40 games to go? Here’s a couple scattered thoughts on what I’ve noticed so far.
1. Belmo’s still rolling
Okay, I lied. I care that Belmo is in the top-five. I care anytime the greatest bowler of this generation is in the hunt for another major title — and you should too.
2. BIG names at the top
When I first clicked on the standings, the massive amount of proven talent at the top of the field stood out. Between 6th and 12th sit AJ Johnson, Wes Malott, Francois Lavoie, Kyle Troup, Tom Daugherty and Anthony Simonsen. This is expected at the US Open — only the best players succeed on the hardest conditions, like that saying about the cream rising to the top, or whatever.
Now there’s still 40 games to go — we’re not even 1/3 of the way through the tournament — but expect the names you know to stay near the top.
3. But not the lefties
If you noticed, just one of those big-names inside the top 12 were left-handed players (Low). Packy Hanrahan, 15th, is the next-highest lefty in the field. Jakob Butturff, who has dominated this tournament in the past, is in 96th of the 108-player field. Anthony Neuer, who made last year’s show, is in 95th. Graham Fach is 76th and Jesper Svensson is 67th.
I don’t believe Woodland Bowl has been kind to lefties in the past, but this is cruel.
4. *insert eyes emoji*
In my 2022 predictions newsletter a few weeks ago — which I fully admit was littered with half-assed thoughts mostly for my own entertainment — I picked Jake Peters to win the US Open. He’s currently in 8th place!
I also predicted that Belmo would NOT win a major this year… yikes. But maybe Peters can make me look as smart as Kayla Starr did.
5. Who will make the show?
EJ Tackett — currently 2nd
Anthony Simonsen — T-12th
Jason Belmonte — 4th
Jake Peters — 8th (I can’t back down now.)
Dom Barrett — 53rd