LOS ANGELES – Something Johnny Miller said this week sets up the final round of the U.S. Open Sunday, with golfers Rickie Fowler, Rory McIlroy and Wyndham Clark in contention for the major championship.
Miller, the Hall of Fame golfer who became a popular golf commentator, was here to accept the Bob Jones award, the highest honor awarded by the United States Golf Association. During a news conference, he talked about what distinguished him during almost three decades as a broadcaster.
"I thought the greatness of golf is the choke factor," Miller said. "I don't care if you're playing for a milkshake or $5 Nassau or whatever. The greatness of golf is whether you can make that putt to win, and to ignore that is sort of missing the greatest part of golf, no doubt.
"Nobody wanted to talk about it."
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Yet Miller talked a lot about the choke factor. And heading into the final round of the 123rd U.S. Open is the perfect time for more talk about one of Miller’s favorite subjects.
Why Rickie Fowler might choke in US Open final round
For Fowler, the good news is what he says.
"I'm not scared to fail," he told reporters after his round Saturday. "I've dealt with that. We're just going to go have fun, continue to try to execute, leave it all out there, see where we stand on 18."
Fowler’s not scared to fail, he suggested, because he’s survived struggles that included him almost losing his PGA Tour card last year. But as likable as Fowler is, there's still the choke factor.
Fowler has never won a major.
Worse, he has a history of near-misses.
Tied for second at the U.S. Open in 2014. Tied for second at The Championship Open in 2014. Tied for third at the PGA Championship in 2014. Second at the Masters in 2018.
How could anyone be shocked if Fowler heads into the final holes still in contention, only to reverse to runner-up form?
Let’s not forget that on Saturday he failed to make a putt inside 15 feet and made bogey on the final hole and lost his one-stroke lead.
Why Rory McIlroy might choke in US Open final round
For McIlroy, the good news is what he says.
"I'm going out there to try to execute a game plan," he told reporters after his round Saturday, "and I feel like over the last three days I've executed that game plan really, really well. And I just need to do that for one more day."
Of course, McIlroy has uttered some version of this many times during the nine years. It’s been that long since he won his last major − the PGA Championship in 2014.
For the fifth year in a row, McIlroy will enter the final round of the U.S. Open no lower than tied for seventh on the leaderboard. But has not prevailed.
Perhaps more worrisome, two weeks ago at the Memorial Tournament, McIlroy entered the final round in a three-way tie for the lead at 6-under. On Sunday he shot a 3-over 75 and finished tied for 7th.
Why Wyndham Clark might choke in US Open final round
For Clark, the good news he says.
"Honestly I'm really looking forward tomorrow and the challenge it's going to bring," he said, "and hopefully it's my day."
'It's a little ridiculous': US Open co-leader Wyndham Clark rips late tee times
Although his mindset his admirable, it’s probably not his day.
Yes, in May he won his first PGA Tour event at Wells Fargo Championship. But in the six major championships he has played, his best finish is tied for 76th – and he missed the cut at the 2023 PGA Championship.
Clark, 29, has never played on a stage this big
Also, after his 1-under 69 Saturday, he was refreshingly candid in criticizing the late tee times. But please name the last player who complained about tee times the night before winning their first major.
What if they all choke in US Open final round?
If Fowler, Mcllroy and Clark all gag under pressure, this is where it gets interesting.
Scottie Scheffler, three shots off the lead at 7-under, won the 2022 Masters with a three-shot victory over McIlroy and currently is the world’s top-ranked golfer.
Moreover, on Saturday he closed his round of 2-under 68 with an eagle and birdie. The back-to-back holes had a clutch vibe.
And if Scheffler chokes, there’s always Dustin Johnson, who’s five shots off the lead. He won the 2016 U.S. Open and the 2020 Masters and has tied for second in three other majors.
All of these players might want to channel their inner Johnny Miller, for this is the 50-year anniversary of his final round of 63 at the 1973 U.S. Open. With one of the greatest rounds in golf history, Miller outdueled the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Lee Trevino in securing a one-stroke victory over John Schlee.
He also beat the choke factor.
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