US OPEN 2012 PREVIEW

 

It’s consistently the toughest tournament in golf every year when par is usually the winning score, last year and Rory being one of the few exceptions. We’re off to Olympic Club in San Francisco where the patience and, of course, the golf games of the World’s best players will be tested to the fullest.

 

Tiger Woods – best price 17/2 with sportingbet

 

I’m amazed TW is favourite for the US Open, albeit at a decent price for once! His game is in decent shape but he has won at Bayhill and Muirfield Village this season, venues where he has won at ease and many times while in his pomp so I would not put as much value with those performances as usual, added to that the struggles the chasing pack on both occasions endured adds no fuel to the fire that would have me recommend Tiger. He may contend but I think a top 5 finish may be his best result here.

 

Lee Westwood – 12/1 with Bwin

 

Westy is again looked at as somebody that should contend this week and I would not be surprised is he does, his performance in Sweden bodes well of course but only on rare occasions does the winner the week before triumph in a Major championship the week after. Lee’s putting and short game will be severely tested over the Olympic Club layout and I again see this being his biggest stumbling block to claiming a Major title. A good each way bet but I don’t expect Westwood to win.

 

Luke Donald – 13/1 best with Boylesports

 

The current World No.1 would cement his position at the top of the game this week with his first Major win. I note the fact that I have tipped “Luuuuuuuuke” for numerous Majors over the past year but I think his game is ideally setup for Olympic Club. Lee Janzen won the last playing of the US Open here in 1998 with a score of level par and I saw a lot of parallels between the two players – both decent ball strikers but with short games to envy. Donald will be right in the hunt come the cauldron that will be the final round at Olympic Club on Sunday.

 

Rory McIlroy – 20s with William Hill

 

I’d be getting you Rors at 20/1 with this UK bookmaker! The same price as last year has a nice ring to it and his good performance at the FedEx St Jude won’t do him any harm, his final hole disappointment may only help to spur him on all the more. Rory’s form wasn’t all that great last year when he got to Congressional and he doesn’t have the weight of the world on his shoulders this year like he did after Augusta this year. A great each way bet and expect Rory to come out of the blocks firing from Thursday!

 

Phil Mickelson – 22s with Coral

 

I’m a huge fan of Phil but the only Major I would usually look to him to do the business would be the Masters. There is a lot better value out there including many more US golfers in better form, sorry Phil but I can’t see it being your week!

 

Matt Kuchar – 28/1 best price with William Hill

 

I’m liking Kuchar’s form this year, he won superbly at The Players Championship and I fully expect him to move on from the “Fifth Major” to winning one of the Big 4 tournaments this week. Great value as well, winner alright me thinks as the US continue their comeback into the upper echelons of world golf – I’m getting worried about the Ryder Cup already!!

 

Jason Dufner – 28/1 with William Hill

 

It could be a battle of the 28/1 shots this week in San Francisco as the two form players in the world come under the spotlight. Dufner is steady steady steady and he just seems to have ice in his veins at times. Having said this, however, his eventual collapse at the US PGA is the only worrying point. He looked coolness personified until fairly late during the back 9 on Sunday where the wheels well and truly came off.

 

Jim Furyk – 35/1 with Paddy Power

 

Furyk is the sort of US Open specialist that you may always look to in the betting. Solid off the tee, a superb iron player and generally an excellent putter when the pressure is on, his putting of late has been a concern but he seems to be creeping into form at the right time. One for the shortlist although he should probably be a higher price in fairness, do you hear me Paddy?!?!

 

The Rest of the Irish

Padraig Harrington – 80/1 with Bwin

 

Paddy has an outside chance, he played well in the St Jude Classic and will hopefully take that form into this week. If he starts well expect him to stay in contention, worth a few quid as he could be the only sportsman wearing green doing well this week!

 

Graeme McDowell – 80/1 with Bwin

 

2010 US Open Champ G Mac comes into the tournament having little or no form. His terrible showing in Memphis which resulted in him missing the cut did not help in the slightest for his confidence either. Not for me this week.

 

Peter Lawrie – 300/1 with Bwin

 

Huge odds for his first US Open appearance do not foster much optimism but Peter has been playing well and you just never know with up-and-coming Irish golfers these days. What’s a €1 each way???

 

Big D doesn’t tee it up this week with the Irish Open his hopeful comeback, we wish him all the best for this and the links will hopefully bring out the best in his game.

 

Some long shots to consider – David Toms 150/1 with Coral, Jason Day 66s with Coral, Louis Oosthuizen at 66s with Coral and Geoff Ogilvy 80/1 with Bwin, special mention goes to a namesake of a very good friend of mine, Brian Gaffney, who is at 2,500/1 with BetVictor!

 

I hope ye enjoy a week of watching the world’s best golfers struggle over the layout at Olympic Club and, of course, win a few quid along the way! Best prices from oddschecker.com Mobile App as at 10.53pm on Wednesday 13^th June.