ERIN, Wis. - In advance of the final round of the 117th U.S. Open at Erin Hills, GolfChannel.com writers weigh in on some pressing questions including who they think will take home the hardware Sunday evening.Have the low scores damaged this U.S. Open?HOGGARD: If 12 over par was leading the U.S. Open and players had spent the last three days searching for golf balls in the deep fescue rough and signing for bogeys, the blowback would be deafening and the players would be demanding answers. After the last two U.S. Opens, the USGA needed to avoid any miscues at all costs, and if record scoring is the result then so be it.LAVNER: Not at all. There has been a lot of social-media chatter that this Open has devolved into a regular PGA Tour event, but this is the course that was presented. Having covered the 2011 U.S. Amateur here, Erin Hills is an absolute beast when its firm and fast. Unfortunately, heavy rain earlier this week made the course play much softer than the USGA could have ever hoped. No asterisk required here.MELL: Not yet. Weve got a final round to play, and a spectacular finish could completely change the way we remember this championship. Yeah, all the record scores already posted here dont help the U.S. Opens already black-and-blue reputation, but an unforgettable final act, with stiffening winds giving this course its proper defense, could be more than salve for the wounds.GRAY: No. As multiple players have pointed out, the wide spread of scores is a testament to the legitimacy of Erin Hills as a major layout. Good shots get rewarded, while bad shots get punished. Its no cake walk out there if it was, the top three players in the world would still be around. And yes, its different from the typical U.S. Open experience, but Mike Davis and Co. have a decades worth of traditional setups coming our way. Embrace the change while we have it.
Player outside top 5 who will make a charge?HOGGARD: Drawing inspiration from his U.S. Ryder Cup team uniform he donned for Saturdays round, Patrick Reed went around Erin Hills in 65 strokes to move within four strokes of the lead. It will likely take something similar to that on Sunday for Reed to pull off the comeback, but if anyone can do it, Reed's the guy.LAVNER: Patrick Reed. Coming off a 65, playing the tournament that he covets most, Captain America should have plenty of good vibes entering the final round. That he is the pursuer, not the frontrunner, will relieve some of the final-round pressure for a guy who surprisingly hasnt been a factor in many majors.MELL: Patrick Reed. Now that he may finally have figured out how to get his Captain America mojo going in a major, he looks dangerous. He looks like that Ryder Cup star weve been waiting to take over a major.GRAY: Russell Henley. He might be overshadowed in his final-round pairing by Captain America Patrick Reed, but he has the potential to go low and get into the thick of contention even though hes four behind Harman. Henley won his first start as a PGA Tour member at the 2013 Sony, slayed Rory McIlroy among others in a playoff three years ago at Honda and rallied just two months ago to win the Shell Houston Open. Hes got the game, and if the putter gets hot as it often does he can make up ground in a hurry.
Winning score and champion?HOGGARD: Brooks Koepka. Even with winds that are forecast to reach 15 mph, theres little chance the teeth will return to Erin Hills in time for the final round. With five players already double digits under par, there will be no retreating Brooks Koepka wins at 15 under par.LAVNER: Brooks Koepka, at 13 under. Harman doesnt have a top-25 in a major, let alone experience as the leader, so its easy to see him fading. Itll be difficult for Thomas to back up a record round. And Fleetwood had to sleep on that 18th-hole mistake. Koepka often acts like hes impervious to stress, and that attitude will be put to the test on Sunday with the wind finally expected to blow. I think he gets it done.MELL: 14 under. Rickie Fowler. Overnight rains keep Erin Hills softer than the USGA would like, but the winds are projected to stiffen on Sunday. Its Fowlers time. Hes still young, but hes more proven than any player sitting in front of him. His little rally on the back nine Saturday sets him up to finish off what he started on Thursday.GRAY: I still feel like this is Koepkas to win, and I think hell get it done at 14 under. The wind is expected to blow for the final round, which could present new challenges for the players, but Koepkas length off the tee remains a strength as long as he can keep the ball out of the fescue. His major record has been building to a breakthrough, and by nights end hell have his arms around his first major title.
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Koepka fever has hit the PGA Tour in a big way, as the American is back at the event looking to win his third U.S. Open in a row. Koepka, who placed T-2 at the Masters earlier this year, is coming off his second PGA Championship win at Bethpage Black Course. Koepka now has four major wins in six starts.
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