We’re all set for a fantastic week of golf at Oakmont.
The U.S. Open has returned to one of its iconic venues. When you think difficult championship golf, Oakmont is one of the first courses that comes to mind.
Yesterday I wrote about how recent major history indicates the winner will be among the game’s best players. There are probably only 10 guys who have a realistic shot at the title.
At the same time, where is the fun in that? We want to talk about dark horses who can come out of nowhere to win this tournament. Hey, maybe were are due for a shocker.
I had a few ideas in mind for dark-horse candidates but instead of writing about those guys, I decided to let ChatGPT take a run at accurately predicting unlikely heroes this week at Oakmont. For each player, I give my thoughts on how much confidence I have in them.
This list has a few good picks—but a couple are stinkers.
1. Cameron Young
The first pick of the AI dark-horse U.S. Open draft went to Cam Young, the highly talented rising star who has frustrated fans with his inability to win. Here is what ChatGPT says:
Why he fits Oakmont:
- Elite ball-striking off the tee and with long irons—crucial at a demanding track like Oakmont.
- He’s long and aggressive, which helps on par-5s and long par-4s.
- His U.S. Open record is solid for a younger player, and he’s trending upward.
What holds him back:
- Has yet to win a PGA Tour event, which is a big mental hurdle at a U.S. Open.
- His putting can be streaky, especially on fast greens like Oakmont’s.
Sean’s thoughts:
- Young almost won the RBC Canadian Open last week but has been middling overall throughout 2025. His power, which is the most valuable skill at Oakmont, gives him a shot. However, it’s impossible to trust him fully because he never wins. He does have a history of contending at majors, so maybe a top-10 bet could be worth a shot.
2. Sahith Theegala
The next choice was Theegala who is in a similar situation to Young (although Theegala does have one Tour victory). Here is what ChatGPT says:
This is our bonus sleeper:
- Electric talent with a creative short game.
- If conditions get chaotic and others lose control, his scrambling and fearlessness could be an asset.
- Like Young, he’s waiting for that breakout win.
Sean’s thoughts:
- This is a terrible pick. Theegala is down to No. 130 in Data Golf. He has no top-15 finishes throughout the entire season. He’s also inaccurate off the tee, coupled with less power than Young. So, out of the two, Young is in better form and has a better skill set for a U.S. Open.
3. Corey Conners
ChatGPT loves Canada’s Corey Conners to play well at Oakmont. Here is why:
- Strengths: One of the best ball-strikers on tour, especially with irons.
- Why he fits Oakmont: Precise iron play can help conquer Oakmont’s small greens. If the putter gets even lukewarm, he’s dangerous.
- Weakness: Short game and putting are below average.
- Ceiling: Top-five if he gets hot with the flatstick.
Sean’s thoughts: Conners is in good form (five top-10 finishes this year) and would make for a nice top-20 bet. But he is right around Tour average for driving distance, which I don’t love at a U.S. Open.
4. Min Woo Lee
I put Lee in my betting preview yesterday so great (and artificial) minds must think alike. Here is why ChatGPT thinks “the Chef” will be cooking more than Primanti Bros. this week.
- Strengths: Long off the tee and confident around the greens.
- Why he fits Oakmont: Bold, aggressive, not afraid of tough setups. Good form in majors recently.
- X-Factor: Mental game and confidence—if he starts fast, he could ride momentum deep into Sunday.
Sean’s thoughts: While he’s not in the greatest form, I do like his length off the tee. He’s played well in all three U.S. Open starts, which is impressive. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was a 36-hole leader.
5. Keegan Bradley
How about the U.S. Ryder Cup captain winning the national open and putting himself on the team? At No. 17 (!) in Data Golf, Bradley should be on the American team as a player—but could he win the U.S. Open. Chat GPT says:
Strengths: Outstanding iron play and experience in majors.
- Why he fits Oakmont: Plays well on firm, fast courses. Has the patience for U.S. Open-style golf.
- Weakness: Putting is hit or miss.
- Fun fact: Top-20 machine when his tee-to-green game is dialed in.
Sean’s thoughts: He won’t win but Bradley has been playing very well. That includes a T8 at the PGA. He does everything above average except putting, so that will be something to watch.
Can any of these dark horses win?
All five of these players could contend but I highly doubt they will win.
My favorite of this group is Min Woo Lee. If I had to pick a second guy, it would be Cameron Young.
A few other players I like as dark horses to get in the mix are Sepp Straka, Denny McCarthy and Mathieu Pavon. If you have any top 20 bets, those could be good options.
However, I would be surprised if the U.S. Open winner didn’t have the last name of DeChambeau, Scheffler, Rahm or McIlroy.
Do you have any outside-the-box picks? Let me know in the comments.
The post AI Thinks These 5 Dark Horses Could Win The U.S. Open appeared first on MyGolfSpy.
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