US Open 2015: Top Golfers Whose Games Are Best Suited for Chambers Bay

The U.S. Open at much-discussed Chambers Bay is upon us.

And as the PGA Tour's best wander its hilly, brown expanse of fescue grass and try to figure out how the heck they're going to tackle the Robert Trent Jones Jr. track, it's fitting to take a look at which top stars are best equipped to survive what's sure to be a slaughter. 

We'll look at the abilities players will need in spades this week—scrambling, hitting greens in regulation, driving distance, a deft touch inside 10 inches—and factor in past U.S. Open finishes and recent play to determine the top choices.

Phil Mickelson

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

U.S. Open finishes: Six-time runner-up. Tied for 28th last year. 

Scrambling: 60.4% (79th)

Greens in regulation: 62.3% (169th)

Driving distance: 297.1 (28th)

Putting inside 10 feet: 87.0% (129th)

Phil is bombing the golf ball this year, averaging nearly three bills on every drive. Which isn't bad for a guy who just turned 45. Thus, he'll be able to deal with Chambers Bay's soul-crushing length. 

Forget about the rest of the figures above for a second and consider two things: First, Mickelson, a classic momentum player, got hot in Memphis, where he tied for third. Second, he is the tour's maestro of creative shots into and and around greens. At a course that will demand some serious intuitive abilities, range of specialty shots and creative flair, Phil has to merit serious consideration. 

Further, the left-hander and caddie Jim "Bones" Mackay have spent a lot of time charting the course and plotting strategy. In this facet of the game, too, Mickelson (with Mackay's help) is among the tour's best. 

Add to all of that the fact that this is Mickelson's 25th U.S. Open, and you have a legitimate contender.

Jordan Spieth

Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images

U.S. Open finishes: 2012: T21; 2013: CUT; 2014: T17

Scrambling: 65.3% (8th)

Greens in regulation: 67.2% (62nd)

Driving distance: 291.1 (69th)

Putting inside 10 feet: 87.2% (117th)

It's Jordan Spieth's scrambling, creativity and ability to plod his way around new courses that will give him a chance this week (see: Augusta National). Certainly, having caddie Michael Greller—a former teacher who apparently used yardage books as a teaching aid, according to Golfweek (h/t CBS Sports)—on the bag will help as well. 

Spieth is long enough and hits enough greens to merit consideration, and while his yearlong putting inside 10 feet isn't superb, he does possess the unique ability to hole must-make putts inside the same distance, which will be critical at Chambers Bay.

Jason Day

Harry How/Getty Images

U.S. Open finishes: Best: 2nd, 2011; T4 last year

Scrambling: 64.7% (14th)

Greens in regulation: 68.5% (27th)

Driving distance: 306.7 (6th)

Putting inside 10': 88.1% (68th)

On paper, Jason Day is one of the best candidates this week. He hits it a mile, can hole crucial putts between six and eight feet and has touch around the greens. Additionally, he's done well in past Opens, which is an indication that he can handle the mental rigors of the week.

And as much as anything else, it's Day's distillation of the essential U.S. Open mindset, as evidenced by this quote, via Tim Dahlberg of the Associated Press (h/t Yahoo Sports), that speaks to his readiness to win a U.S. Open:

"

I keep saying to people, the U.S. Open is all about controlling your attitude, controlling your emotional level and your stress levels out there because it can be a very frustrating week if you let it be. You've just got to keep grinding and grinding and grinding, and hopefully by Sunday you're somewhere around the lead.

"

Hideki Matsuyama

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

U.S. Open finishes: 2013: T10; 2014: T35

Scrambling: 65.5% (7th)

Greens in regulation: 70.1% (9th)

Driving distance: 295.6 (35th)

Putting inside 10': 88.8% (36th) 

Of the golfers on this list, Hideki Matsuyama ranks the best in terms of all four metrics. He's also playing well right now, having tied for fifth at the Memorial in his most recent start. And, in a limited sample, he's produced decent work at past U.S. Opens. Certainly, a tie for 10th in one's first Open is a sign of superlative mettle. 

The young Japanese national, who is regarded as something of a "fairways and greens" type of player, is also actually one of the best scramblers on tour and executes pitches and chips with a simple, unhurried motion that should serve him well on the Robert Trent Jones Jr. track. 

Given these favorable attributes, it's difficult to think Matsuyama won't be a factor this weekend at Chambers Bay. 

Bubba Watson

Ben Margot/Associated Press

U.S. Open finishes: Best: T5; Last year: CUT

Scrambling: 64.9% (13th)

Greens in regulation: 65.4% (100th)

Driving distance: 306.9 (4th)

Putting inside 10': 88.6% (46th) 

Bubba Watson enters the U.S. Open at Chambers Bay after a lengthy layoff. We'll assume he's both well-practiced and well-rested. From the looks of his 1,000 Periscope sessions a day, he's relaxed. 

It's no secret that Watson hasn't exactly enjoyed past U.S. Opens. He also doesn't seem to be a diehard links-style fan and told reporters this past March that Augusta National is the "home of golf." 

Still, at a nontraditional venue, you have to like Watson's scrambling abilities and creativity around the green. Obviously, as one of the longest hitters on tour, he's primed to take on a nearly 8,000-yard course—and he does good work with the flatstick inside 10 feet. 

If Bubba stays out of his own way, he could play very well this week. 

All stats via PGATour.com.