2011 U.S. Open Predictions: Rory McIlroy and 5 Youngsters Who Could Win

Typically, a rookie—or relative newcomer—to the difficulty and pressure of a U.S. Open Championship is doomed to fail.

Sure, there are those exceptions—like John McDermott, who was 19 years old when he won the U.S. Open at Chicago Golf Club back in 1911. But that is certainly far from the norm in a tournament of this magnitude.

Nevertheless, the recent "youth movement" that hit the PGA Tour the past couple years has to be taken into consideration when looking at favorites to win on the Blue Course at Congressional Country Club this weekend.

I'm not assigning a particular age as a cutoff for potential victory.

Here are five youngsters under 25 years old who have the talent and could—if everything falls perfectly into place—win the 111th U.S. Open.

Rickie Fowler

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BETHESDA, MD - JUNE 13: Rickie Fowler hits a shot during a practice round prior to the start of the 111th U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club on June 13, 2011 in Bethesda, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

Rickie Fowler is quickly becoming the face of the PGA Tour's next generation.

With his flamboyant attire and swashbuckling style, Fowler is attracting a legion of followers excited by what he brings to the golf course each week.

That includes a wealth of talent.

That said, Fowler has yet to win on the PGA Tour, and in this, his second season, he has only two top 10 finishes.

At Congressional, Fowler's close to 300-yard driving-distance average will help him, but his accuracy won't. He's hitting fairways only 55 percent of the time.

If he doesn't find a way to turn that number around in a hurry, he won't make it to the weekend.

Matteo Manassero

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TURIN, ITALY - JUNE 12: Matteo Manassero of Italy in action during the final round of BMW Italian Open at Royal Park I Roveri on June 12, 2011 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Matteo Manassero has proven he can get himself into contention at a big golf tournament.

A few weeks ago, Manassero was tied for the lead with world No. 1 Luke Donald entering the final round of the European Tour's BMW PGA Championship.

Some consider this tournament the unofficial fifth major.

But Manassero withered amidst Sunday pressure with a closing-round 75 and finished five shots behind Donald, the eventual winner.

Naturally, it wasn't the finish he was looking for, but it showcased what the Verona, Italy phenom is capable of.

Manassero qualified for the U.S. Open on the strength of his Official World Golf Ranking. It's a testament to where his game is at just 19 years old.

Still, he doesn't hit it far, but he does hit it straight.

If Manassero keeps himself out of trouble, he might be part of the weekend conversation.

Ryo Ishikawa

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BETHESDA, MD - JUNE 13: Ryo Ishikawa of Japan hits a tee shot during a practice round prior to the start of the 111th U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club on June 13, 2011 in Bethesda, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

Ryo Ishikawa has cool down pat.

As a cultural icon in his Japanese homeland, Ishikawa can't go anywhere without being mobbed by the media and adoring fans.

At 19 years old, it's almost a setup for failure, but he handles his business with class and swagger.

Take, for example, his much-publicized and incredibly-generous offer to donate his entire 2011 golf winnings to Japanese earthquake-relief efforts.

The kid gets it.

The kid is also a great golfer.

Ishikawa already has nine Japan Golf Tour wins to his credit. And he finished T20 at this year's Masters Tournament. Now he'll be looking to better his T33 at last year's U.S. Open.

Jason Day

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HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC - APRIL 22: Jason Day of Australia hits his tee shot on the 8th hole during the second round of The Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links on April 22, 2011 in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

At 24 years old, Jason Day is the elder statesman on my list of the top five youngsters who could win the 2011 U.S. Open.

Day has the game for Congressional. After all, he hits the ball, on average, close to 300 yards off the tee.

But his driving accuracy leaves something to be desired (58 percent). That will be essential to his success this week.

Nevertheless, Day finds a way to maintain an impressive scoring average with a deft short game. He's fourth on the PGA Tour in sand-save percentage and 21st in strokes gained putting.

It's obvious Day has the skill set. This week, especially, is where the battle testing comes in.

Currently in his fourth season as a pro, it's time for some Major contention.

Rory McIlroy

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DUBLIN, OH - JUNE 03: Rory McIlroy of Nothern Ireland hits his tee shot on the par 4 3rd hole during the second round of the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Insurance at Muirfield Village Golf Club on June 3, 2011 in Dublin, Ohio. (Photo by

Rory McIlroy seems destined to be one of the greats of his era—maybe any era.

No one can deny his potential. It was there long before he held the top spot in the World Amateur Golf Ranking four years ago.

What's most impressive are the results that are starting to take shape.

Outside of his final-round Masters collapse a couple months ago—where an untucked and  disheveled McIlroy practically crawled off Augusta National track with a closing-round 80—his play in major tournaments has been impressive.

McIlroy finished T10 in the 2009 U.S. Open, T3 in the Open Championship in 2010 and T3 in the PGA Championship the past two years.

I'm seeing a trend here.

McIlroy is eventually going to start turning these "close but" endings into wins. It's just a matter of time.