Just in case you were in the planet Mars or something over the past week and missed the US Open Golf, here is a video to get you up to speed. That should now bring an end to this years Open so the focus will switch now to the next major, the British Open…..Praying that our man Paddy Harrington finds some form quickly but who could rule out the chances of Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell after their major performances this year thus far?
Yesterday I spoke of how I felt this years US Open had been somewhat undermined by the elements but there was no doubting the calibre of Lucas Glover’s performance throughout the entire week and in particular, his final 3 holes yesterday. When Geoff Ogilvy won the US Open a few years ago, many of the games top players in the world, including Phil Mickelson, Padraig Harrington, Jim Furyk and Colin Montgomerie, failed to hold their nerve coming down the final few holes so it would have been completely understandable if Glover had frittered away a few shots over the last 3 holes yesterday. However, the 29 year old American did nothing of the sort and instead played them in one under which is fantastic achievement.
I debated yesterday what would be a good score for the final round leaders. It was inevitable that Barnes and Glover would come back towards the rest of the field and you would have thought someone else would come through the pack to challenge. The Mickelson charge got him to 4 under at one stage with four holes to go but bogeys on 15 and 17 dropping him to -2. Glover on the other hand held his nerve to shoot the magic 73 I spoke of yesterday and relegated Mickelson to another 2nd place finish.
Ricky Barnes unfortunately shot 76 to drop back to tie for second alongside David Duval who had a great back nine. Englishman, Ross Fisher was top European at -1 in a very credible display while Tiger Woods tied 6th with Soren Hansen and Hunter Mahan. It was also a noteworthy performance from Rory McIlroy in only his second major. At Augusta, he finished in the Top 20 and this week he secured a Top 10 finish……surely it is only a matter of time before he actually starts challenging those at the top of the World Rankings.
Well, it looks like finally the US Open will get finished today and I don’t know about you but I feel it has been somewhat ruined by the elements. It has been a cruel blow for those who started early Thursday morning and I cannot help but think it has undermined the Championship somewhat. That is not to take away from the excellent performances of Messrs Barnes and Glover however. It will no doubt be a gruelling final round for the pair who will not be able to ignore the long name of Mickelson on the leaderboard and Woods a couple of shots further back.
I think Tiger Woods and Graeme McDowell’s performances to date have been as impressive as the leaders. Playing in the worst of the conditions, both have managed to stay in the hunt for the coveted prize. Woods in particular will know he is still in the tournament, although 7 back at this stage. He has 11 holes remaining and if he can play them in at least 3 under and post an overall score of -3, he wont be far away one would imagine.
I am firmly of the belief Barnes and Glover will come back towards the rest of the field and if either could post a 73, it would be a great accomplishment in what are the most important rounds of the careers to date. Nobody wants to see anyone collapse in a final round but at the same time, we want to see the nail biting finishes we have grown accustomed to in majors.
Personally, I am cheering for Mickelson. In what is going to be such an emotional final round, the crowd favorite would be the most popular of winners considering the difficult personal surroundings in his life at present. He is the most exciting golfer on the planet so let the birdies roll in and the champagne flow for the 2009 US Open Champion, Phil Mickelson!! (Im not wishing anything bad on anyone else by the way….I hope Glover and Barnes finish 2nd okay….that should stop the complaints coming in!)
The US Open returns to New York at Bethpage Black after hosting the event in 2002. Since Mike Davis took control of how the US Open courses are to be set up, the focus has changed somewhat from hitting fairways and greens to a more long hitters dream. Since 2006, Ogilvy, Cabrera and Woods have won the US Open, each enjoying great length, sometimes at the expense of accuracy. I am a little disappointed that the advantage has been handed back to the long hitters. Ive complained time and time again that the hazards the pros endue for errant shots are not hazardous enough. I believe the guy who consistently hits fairways and greens, although not as exciting, deserves a chance to win. With reports from Bethpage that the course is playing soft and long, shorter hitters, regardless of their accuracy, could struggle.
At the 2002 US Open at Bethpage, Tiger Woods triumphed and after seeing Tigers hugely impressive win at the Memorial, it is difficult to find any reason in his game not to back him. However, my top tip at the beginning of the year was Woods to win any major at 5/6 and I’m extremely happy with this bet. For this reason, I do not need to go chasing him this week at 2/1 and can instead look elsewhere to try and give you some value for money.
Phil Mickelson is at 20/1 and under normal circumstances, he would certainly be my top tip. He has a good record in the US Open and I would personally love to see him win this week. However, one cannot know what mental state Mickelson is in with his wife Amy, undergoing treatment for cancer. For this reason, it’s too risky for me to part with my money.
David Toms driving accuracy and Greens in Regulation should be ideal for a US Open, but such are the changes since 2006 and the length of Bethpage, he may not quite have enough to win, which is a pity. However, if the course were to dry up and play hard and fast, the likes of Toms and indeed Jim Furyk could be in with a chance.
So if you are not going to bet on the top 2 this week, who will you focus your attention on. For me, the following comprise my top 4:
Geoff Ogilvy: At 20/1, he stands out as a great bet. With 2 wins this season, Ogilvy is having a great season. Whats more is that he is no stranger to winning big events and if you had a choice of picking someone to go head to head with the great Tiger Woods down the stretch, Ogilvy would be your choice every time. His length is an asset but when hot, he also has an incredible putting stroke and is currently second in the putting stats this season. He has to have a great chance this week and I’m happy to recommend him at 20/1.
Paul Casey: No European has won the US Open since Tony Jacklin in 1970 but Casey can change that. He is in the form of his life and his length again off the tee will be vital. I watched him recently win at Wentworth and although he didn’t putt well, he maintained his composure superbly in the final few holes, a sign that the Englishman has matured immensely. He has in the past been an inconsistent player but now looks to be improving in this aspect. At 28/1, he takes my fancy.
Kenny Perry: After enduring such a difficult loss at the Masters, many will think Kenny Perry blew his chance at winning a major. However, moving away from that, Perry is a big hitter with one of the best putting strokes in the business. He is certainly capable of winning if he can find his top form again. 6 top-10 finishes from 14 events and 8th in scoring average this season mean at 55/1, Perry looks way over priced and I think is a good each way prospect.
Nick Watney: He is 5th in Driving distance this season on Tour and 12th in scoring average. In addition, when you consider he has 10 top-25 finishes from 13 events this season, including 1 win and 1 second place finish, Watney should not be dismissed. What really grabbed my attention was the 75/1 price on offer and so, he represents good each way value.
