The Golf Insiders 06-17-15

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Holly G and Jeff Shain, PGATour.com and Prime Sports Network.com are in the studio tonight on the eve of the second Major of the season, the U.S. Open Championship at Chambers Bay, Wash. On the PGA Tour at the FedEx St. Jude Classic, Fabian Gomez won his first PGA Tour title. 

Todd Lewis from the Golf Channel says that there are a lot of things that you need to win at the U.S. Open this year and one is being fit, be a great shot maker and have good ball control among other things. 

Holly asks Todd about what some of the players are saying about the course. Todd says that he has not heard any negative comments about Chambers Bay. They may not love it but don't hate it. But Todd says you have to have a positive frame of mind.

Rory said that this is a pure links golf course and Todd feels that the European golfers have an advantage with their knowledge of keeping the ball low. 

Phil Mickelson has a really good shot to win in Todd's mind, because the course is such an unknown and you have to be creative player and that fits Phil's game. Phil loves a thinking man golf's course.

Jeff asks Todd about PGA Executive Director of USGA Mike Davis' request to have players familiarize themselves with the course prior to the tournament. This is a unique course and you have to learn the nuances of the course. The practice rounds have been taking a long time. A lot of information gathering. 

Todd says that it is hard to predict a favorite or winner here. Rory hasn't played well lately but he has taken some time off and reboot and Todd likes his chances as well as Jordan Spieth's.

The winner of the FedEx St. Jude Classic was Fabian Gomez his first on the PGA Tour.

Jeff has a story on PGA Tour.com with a first look at the U.S. Open and Holly mentions that if you want to see some great Flyovers of the front 9 holes at Chambers Bay.

Mike Purkey, Global Golf Post, calls in from Chambers Bay, and talks about the weather and the course. Says the players don't have any idea of what to do or expect because they don't know how Mike Davis will set up the course that has only been in existence for about 7 years. The only time the course will look green is first thing in the morning then it will turn tan and yellow. Mike says that it already looks like the green has been rubbed off the practice green.

Holly asks Mike about Tiger's chances given his play of late. "Anybody's guess how he will do?" Mike likes Rory's chances and also thinks Rickie Fowler will do well at Chambers Bay. But he says that it may be one of the weakest U.S. Open field that Mike Purkey has seen in many, many years.

Liesel Niehaus and Mike Quinn call in from South Africa to talk with Holly about their product, Swingclick, which is the perfect timing and tempo swing trainer that you can actually wear on the course. The Swingclick gives audible clicks on your swing at the three key points of your swing. Their product was one of the top products at the 25th Anniversary ING Spring Conference held at Mission Inn at Howie-in-the-Hills, Fla. Gary Gilchrist who has his academy there had a chance to test the Swingclick along with some of his other teachers. Gilchrist thinks that the Swingclick is one of the best training aids he has ever used.

Holly and Jeff talk wrap up another hour of intelligent golf talk discussing the other professional tours. The KPMG Women's PGA Championship won by Inbee Park. It's a three-peat at the KPMG for Park, but the first win as the newly created "PGA" Women's Championship.

Champions Tour Bernhard Langer won the Constellation Sr Players Championship by six strokes after taking an 8-shot lead into the final round. Colin Montgomerie had to be checked out for chest pains on Saturday night and everything checked out at the hospital. He was able to play Sunday and finished third.

Fox Sports debuts its golf coverage with the U.S. Open. Fox is using drones for overhead coverage and will be in prime time since it is on the west coast. Jeff Shain picks two to win at U.S. Open, Jordan Spieth or Phil Mickelson and Holly picks Phil too.