U.S. Open Preview, Tournament Life Behind the Scenes, and Our Championship Picks

With the U.S. Open just around the corner, this week's episode of the Let's Go Low Show covered everything from major championship expectations to what it takes to operate behind the scenes at golf tournaments.

Mike Hicks Previews the U.S. Open

We opened the show with a familiar voice in the game, Mike Hicks, longtime caddie for the late Payne Stewart and someone who knows exactly what it takes to succeed on golf's biggest stages.

Hicks shared his thoughts on the upcoming U.S. Open and discussed why the championship continues to stand apart from every other event in professional golf. Unlike many tournaments where players can overpower a course, the U.S. Open demands patience, discipline, and smart decision-making. According to Hicks, players who can stay mentally tough and avoid costly mistakes often find themselves in contention on Sunday.

Drawing from his years inside the ropes, Hicks offered valuable insight into the mindset required to compete when every shot matters and every hole presents a challenge.

What Goes Into Running a Golf Tournament?

After our conversation with Hicks, Jeff and Emily shifted the discussion to something many golfers never get to see—the work that happens behind the scenes at golf tournaments.

Whether it's a local charity scramble, a member-guest, an amateur championship, or a professional event, there's much more involved than simply showing up and teeing it up.

Jeff and Emily discussed the planning, coordination, and countless moving pieces that go into making a successful golf event. From securing sponsors and organizing player registration to coordinating volunteers, managing pace of play, creating content, and ensuring participants have a great experience, a tremendous amount of effort goes into every tournament.

They also talked about how the best events create memorable experiences that go far beyond the golf itself, helping build relationships and grow the game in local communities.

Is the U.S. Open Setup Too Difficult?

As the conversation returned to the U.S. Open, Jeff and Emily tackled one of golf's most popular debates.

Has the U.S. Open become too difficult?

Every year fans and players debate whether the USGA pushes course setups too far. While some enjoy seeing the world's best players tested to their limits, others argue that extremely difficult conditions can become overly punitive.

Jeff and Emily explored both sides of the argument, discussing where the line exists between challenging and unfair. While nobody expects players to shoot 25-under-par at a U.S. Open, the question remains: should par be the target score, or should the world's best have more opportunities to attack?

Final Predictions

The episode wrapped up with Jeff and Emily making their predictions for the championship.

With a world-class field and one of golf's toughest tests awaiting the players, both hosts shared who they believe has the game, temperament, and experience to contend when the pressure is highest.

One thing they both agreed on: the U.S. Open rarely crowns a lucky winner. It rewards players who stay patient, embrace adversity, and execute under the most demanding conditions in golf.

As championship week approaches, golf fans are in for another unforgettable test of skill, strategy, and mental toughness.

Be sure to catch the full episode of the Let's Go Low Show for our complete conversation with Mike Hicks, our discussion on what goes into running successful golf tournaments, and our U.S. Open predictions.