As a spectacle the US Open was once a daring journey into pain and suffering of professional golfers. In recent times, experiments and so called innovation have tripped up some courses with little effect, Pebble played soft, Chambers Bay was not quite golf, and Winged foot could not blunt the bombers. Last year LA county club had the biggest fairways on the planet, and even Brookline was overcome by these top players and new technology. The days of Level par and worse have long gone, but let's hope this iconic venue, with it's rough wire grass and sandy waste areas, upside down saucers and firm, straight holes, demanding accuracy not power. The course is just 5% longer (7550 Par 70) now than it was at the turn of the century, yet drives are 20 yards longer and irons and hybrids aligned with ball improvements mean players are certainly not tested length wise around here, especially as the ground will play like an airport runway. With high, humid temperatures and no rain, players will be tested to the max (I hope) and I predict something in the region of even par to 5 under could be the winning score as firm conditions make all targets miniscule and missing those targets punishing to the extreme. A decent short game is an absolute must, as is lag putting, accuracy off the tee and good wedges, it's an all round test.
Everything obviously points to Scottie this week, and at 3/1 or thereabouts he is clear favourite, but I won't repeat the merits of picking a 3s shot in a field of 156!
It's a rare week with no stand out pick, it's a week for outsiders. at lot of these rigid target golfers will be looking at green books and yardages with their shoes and socks off, scratching their heads. This is not normal golf, so big prices are being taken in the hope we find at least 2 places if none of these guys win. It's thievery week - sod it, 7 selections.
We start this great tournament with 2 Brits, 2 Ryder cup stars who love it when it's tough. There is no player I have been more critical of in world golf than TOMMY FLEETWOOD. That is harsh, because he is clearly a brilliantly player, a wonderful bloke and one of the world's best, but he just doesn't win majors or PGA tour events. The way he messed up in Canada last year when trying to hit 3 irons into a Par 5 summed him up, but at 33/1 with Boylesports he is an Each Way Thief's wet dream. He could win, and lord knows as someone who backed Paul Casey for both of his Valspar wins anything is possible, but he probably needs it to be an even par Shinnecock style test and he needs to get in with a clubhouse lead. He has a wonderful all round game and I always root for him, but with 8 places at that price he is a bet to nothing in my opinion on a track like this. 6pts e/w.
Next up it's same old same old, but big SHANE LOWRY has to be huge value here. A top level driver of the golf ball, Shane has the imagination, short game and temperament for a test like this. What Shane usually lacks is the ability to putt. He is such a poor but streaky putter, this week he could be anything, but on a course where holing out wont be a given, he could lag his way around and chip a few in, and that wire grass off the fairways won't be a regular visit for him. He does putt quite well on Bermuda, and he judges grain well, At 75/1 8 places with Boylesport again he is incredible value and we invest 3pts e/w.
If there was a prize for being an idiot then hand me the trophy. I'm not doing a write up.....he drives it well, he has a good short game, he putts like a twat and he lets me down. CAM YOUNG 3pts e/w 70/1 Hills 8 places.
It's a similar trend with this next guy, a blog regular, nobody drives the ball better, or is streakier with the flat stick. SG approach is sometimes off but with no real form or trends to speak of this is a big event, gut feel for a gun player capable of anything. Aussie entertainer MIN WOO LEE has game. He plays well in majors and with 10 places on offer with Paddy Power we go 3pts e/w at 70/1 this week.
3 more to go on a week of outsiders, this weeks lost the plot, head the ball selection is 2 time Korn Ferry tour winner this season, and maverick, HARRY HIGGS. The big lad is a real character, he has much more game than his career suggests, and he could be the John Daly for this years 2024 US Open, especially given his red hot form right now. He has no real weaknesses (other than fitness) and at 400/1 with Boylesports he is worth 1pt e/w 8 places.
The penultimate pick is a form pick and South African CHRISTIAAN BEZUIDENHOUT is bang in form right now and looking strong in all parts of his game. His struggles off the tee weren't evident last week when he came 4th in the Memorial, and he has 3 top 20s and 3 top 10s on tour this year. Heat and firm conditions won't be anything new to him, and his putting can often be an equaliser. It's an e/w pick this week, but 2pts e/w 110/1 Bet 365 8 places is the play.
The last outsider of the week came to two men. Dean Burmester's short game brilliance was just edged out by a major winner and someone who can hit the ball very straight. The over excessive waggles of Open champion BRIAN HARMAN may be annoying, but don't let a week where Brian is 100/1 go to waste. His form has been a little off this year, but it's a major, he gets the ball in play, he hits a slight draw but quite straight and he gets it round on firm tracks. I can't fathom his price and we head in to the final throes with our last 2pts e/w on him at 100/1 8 places with Bet 365.
40pts as it's a major, enjoy 4 great days.
TEWT