Gary Koch News

Looking ahead to next week's U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club, the leaders better make hay before arriving at the 14th tee.

Madison's Steve Stricker has not won a major, but that did not keep Golf Channel on NBC analysts Gary Koch and Roger Maltbie from making him one of their players to watch at the U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club from June 13-16. Predicting who will win a golf tournament is notoriously difficult.

In a conference call with reporters on Wednesday, NBC's golf analyst Roger Maltbie said he's "concerned" that the crowds, fueled by the ongoing controversy over the USGA's decision to ban anchored putters and the racially-charged Tiger-Sergio spat, will become an issue during the U.S. Open at Merion.

With three holes to play in Sunday's final round of The Players Championships, the smiles couldn't have been bigger with NBC officials.

On this weekend in-between The Kentucky Derby and Preakness, is there any doubt which thoroughbred golfer is expected to ride into the winner's circle at The Players Championship? Yes, it looks like a real horse race at the moment.