1. The stage

The U.S. Open continues to be one of golf's greatest tests, and this year at Shinnecock Hills was absolutely no exception. Many notable players and former champions like Jordan Spieth, Rory Mcilroy, and Tiger Woods were not able to make the cut! The difference between last year's winning score and this year's was negative 17.

In a game of inches like golf, 17 strokes is absolutely huge. Most of this was in part of the golf course itself. One competitor said "Regardless, it was not a fair test of golf." There were a lot of complaints in pin positions, slopes, and speeds. Not only that, the wind just added insulted to injury for most. Even so, everyone played in the same environment. No excuse.

2. The momentum

It's astounding how one moment everything is perfect then the next instance boom, everything goes wrong and vice versa. That's what happened to the 2015 champion Jordan Spieth. By halfway of the second round, things were looking pretty grim. All of sudden he makes four consecutive birdies to put himself back into the cut line. Unexpectedly, he finishes his round with two bogeys to miss the cut by a single shot! The momentum was one of my previous lessons during the Masters, but that just stresses the importance. Momentum constantly fluctuates due to a variety of factors, and it's takes a lot of discipline and skill to obtain it as well as keep it. Either way, momentum is still in the person's control. No excuses.

3. The rules

The most notable headline outside of the winner was 6 (yes 6) time runner up of the U.S. Open, Phil Mickelson who intentionally broke a rule. The violation was that he hit his ball WHILE it was in motion. It didn't really make a difference on the overall leaderboard, but sportsmanship is what maintains integrity at all levels of competitive play. Mickelson has a well-earned reputation in being a great golfer, so seeing him do this on purpose was shocking. Many wanted to see Mickelson disqualified for a serious breach while others stuck to the rule book. Still, no excuse to break the rules.

4. The comeback

On the last day, the tournament was a horse race. Competitors from all over the leaderboard started to make their runs. Fleetwood went from 78 on day three to 63 on day four to secure solo second place by only one shot. Reed, the Masters champion, had a really good start to his day to put pressure on the leaders. Though neither of them won, their performances are a reminder that anything is possible and giving up is never an option. History has constantly proven that life favors those who continue to try and give their best effort. Never stop the grind. No excuse.

5. The saves

It isn't the big hits nor the big moments that make champions. It's the recovery. Every single player at the U.S. Open had made at least one huge mistake. What separates the winners from the losers is what happens in response to those mistakes. Even the back-to-back champion, Brooks Koepka, had instances where he was going to drop out of contention. However, he recovered from all of them and that's how he held on to the lead and ultimately won the tournament. In every competition imaginable, it's always about who makes the least amount of mistakes. No excuses (except in the case of bad luck).