This article is part of our FantasyDraft PGA series.
FantasyDraft PGA: U.S. Open
U.S. Open
Southampton, New York
Shinnecock Hills - Par 70 - 7,445 yards
Field - 156 Entrants
Purse - $12M
The Preview
The stage is set for 2018's second major championship as 156 entrants travel to Shinnecock Hills. Much like last year's expedition to Erin Hills, power will be an absolute advantage in Southampton. Focus on SG: Off-the-Tee and SG: Tee-to-Green when building lineups, but as always scrambling/putting could separate the champion from the rest of the field in a U.S. Open setting. As for the weather, expect mid-70s and sunshine as a morning/afternoon stack shouldn't be necessary, so let's get right into the picks without further hesitation.
Past Champions
2017 - Brooks Koepka
2016- Dustin Johnson
2015 - Jordan Spieth
2014 - Martin Kaymer
2013 - Justin Rose
2012 - Webb Simpson
2011 - Rory McIlroy
2010 - Graeme McDowell
FantasyDraft Value Picks - based on $100,000 salary cap
Cream of the Crop
Dustin Johnson - $17,600
All we've been hearing is that distance will be an advantage this week at Shinnecock Hills, so might as well roll with the FedEx St. Jude Classic champion who ranks 10th in driving distance on Tour. He'd probably rank even higher in that category if he took driver off every tee, so this isn't the week to feel bad about taking the highest-priced player on the board.
Brooks Koepka - $15,900
Koepka almost won the Fort Worth Invitational after returning from a wrist injury, so don't be concerned with his health at this point. He obviously produced at Erin Hills in 2017, so Shinnecock Hills should be a solid destination for Koepka to thrive again in 2018.
Phil Mickelson - $15,600
Phil is more than due for a U.S. Open championship, but his recent form fits the narrative as lefty has actually played well all season. He's finished runner-up in more U.S. Opens than you can count on one hand, including the 2004 edition at Shinnecock Hills.
Glue Guys
Bryson DeChambeau - $14,800
Dechambeau's ownership could be deflated on a weekly basis thanks to the fact that average golf fans don't like the guy, but he's a long hitter and deserves respect this week after winning the Memorial Tournament.
Tommy Fleetwood - $14,600
The 12th-ranked player in the world has finished top-25 in three consecutive starts, but hopefully the Englishman flies under the radar this week. Fleetwood placed solo-fourth at last year's U.S. Open.
Alex Noren - $14,400
Speaking of top-20 international players, Noren is a good bet to finish at least top-25 at Shinnecock Hills. He most recently placed T23 and T3 at the Italian Open and BMW PGA Championship overseas.
Bargain Bin
Tony Finau - $13,500
A missed cut at the FedEx St. Jude Classic shouldn't scare away potential owners, thanks to a combination of additional practice time and his sheer power off the tee. He's finished top-20 in four of eight major appearances.
Emiliano Grillo - $12,800
Grillo hasn't missed a cut since mid-August of 2017, while he's finished top-10 in three of his last six starts. The Argentinian ranks ninth on Tour in SG: Total.
Luke List - $12,600
Sticking with the theme of brute force off the tee, List is 17th in the FedExCup standings but priced very affordable this week. He hasn't in a U.S. Open since 2007, but he's peaking at the right time.