We love a good old-fashioned sports debate over morning coffee, and today’s episode of The Starting Lineup hit the sweet spot. We caught up with our good friend Bill Oakley to break down the upcoming U.S. Open at legendary Shinnecock Hills. From brutal coastal winds to historic course renovations, we dive deep into why this weekend is going to test the absolute best in the world. Plus, we couldn’t let Bill get away without talking a little SEC baseball after Alabama’s big run to Omaha.

The Ultimate Test of Golf Skill and Mental Fortitude

Unlike your average weekend stop on the PGA Tour where guys routinely shoot 20-under par to put on a show for the fans, the U.S. Open is a completely different animal. Bill reminded us that in the five previous U.S. Opens held at Shinnecock, only three players have ever finished under par. With winds whistling off the Atlantic and a course playing at a staggering 7,500 yards, the USGA is walking a fine line between a brutal test and absolute chaos. We talked about how hitting the greens is only half the battle; if you don’t land on the correct side, you can “three-jack” these lightning-fast surfaces before you can even take a deep breath.

Stripping Away the Trees at Shinnecock Hills

Our own Ned Reynolds knows a thing or two about the east coast wind, but what many fans don’t realize is just how much this course has changed. Bill shared a fascinating technical nugget: the course superintendent has actually removed 5,350 trees since the early 2000s. Thanks to a historic Coore & Crenshaw design refresh, the layout has been restored to its original 1891 links-style glory. To combat the brutal coastal elements, the USGA did widen the fairways to 50 yards across, but don’t expect an easy ride. If a player misses the short grass, they are staring straight into the infamous, thick “gunch”.

Leaderboard Favorites and a Bold Prediction

So, who has the mental makeup to survive the weekend? While the national pundits are heavily favoring the usual suspects like Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, Bill is looking elsewhere. He threw out names like Tommy Fleetwood (the runner-up here eight years ago) and New York’s own iron-play specialist Cam Young. But when Scott Puryear pushed him for an official pick to win the national championship, Bill went bold: Matt Fitzpatrick. Coming off a solo second-place finish at the Canadian Open, Fitzpatrick has three wins this season and possesses the exact grinding style needed to get into the clubhouse ahead of the pack.

Roll Tide in Omaha

Before wrapping up, we had to switch gears to the diamond. Bill, an alumnus who played baseball at Alabama back in the “field of mitts” era, gave us his unfiltered thoughts on the College World Series. While Oklahoma ultimately sent the Crimson Tide packing, Bill noted that just getting to Omaha in June was an incredible achievement for the program. It is a true testament to the absolute meatgrinder that is SEC baseball, sending a massive chunk of the conference to the final eight.