Tour Confidential: What’s the U.S. Open storyline NO ONE is talking about?

Check in each day of this week’s U.S. Open for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the hottest topic in the tournament, and join the conversation by tweeting us @golf_com.

The 123rd U.S. Open finally starts on Thursday at Los Angeles Country Club. We’ve covered a lot so far, yet have hardly scratched the surface. What’s the U.S. Open storyline NO ONE is talking about?

Jack Hirsh, assistant editor (@JR_HIRSHey): I would say the USGA’s proposed ball rollback has gone under the radar, but people are still talking about it, just not as much as we expected. What truly no one has talked about is how Tommy Fleetwood nearly got his first PGA Tour win last week. Yes, Tommy Fleetwood still does not have a PGA Tour win. I think this week might be as good as any because the best ball-strikers are going to thrive at LACC. A close loss can often motivate a breakthrough win.

Jessica Marksbury, senior editor (@Jess_Marksbury): I’m thinking it’s Phil. As our colleague Sean Zak wrote on Wednesday, Phil has been uncharacteristically quiet this week. If you follow Phil on Twitter, you know he has plenty to say, so maybe the fact that he’s made himself scarce is an indicator of just how seriously he’s taking this championship. As we all know, Mickelson is one major shy of the career grand slam. The fact that this one is sort of on home turf would make it all the sweeter. Of course, the idea of him winning another major — especially a U.S. Open! — in his 50s seems preposterous, but look at what he did at the Masters! He has to be thinking it’s possible to turn back the clock one more time, even if no one is paying that prospect much attention at the moment.

James Colgan, news and features editor (@jamescolgan26): Scottie Scheffler, who is playing the best tee-to-green golf of anyone alive right now, and who I think is primed to blow away the field in his second major win this week. The dude had the second-best ball-striking performance of anyone in the last 20 years (!) at the Memorial, and he’s flying totally under the radar this week.

Sean Zak, senior writer (@sean_zak): I believe Jordan Spieth is healthy. And when he’s been healthy this year, he’s been good-bordering-on-great. Two weeks ago at a firm, difficult golf course with thick rough, he finished T5. There’s so much room for optimism around Jordo, and we don’t seem to be paying him much attention!

Dylan Dethier, senior writer (@dylan_dethier): Patrick Reed. Perhaps it’s because today was Flag Day, but it finally occurred to me that Reed is going to be a legitimate contender to win this week’s national championship. And nobody is talking about it!