1. For this year’s event at Torrey Pines, we have plenty of course experience to go on and two players have outstanding records - Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. Woods has won the Buick Invitational (played here each January) for the last four years and six times in total, while Mickelson has three wins and four other top-4’s.
2. The market leaders used to fare well in this tournament with only two winners at 66/1+ in the twelve years from 1993-2004 inclusive. However, we’ve seen a definite shift recently with a 200/1 winner in 2005, a 100/1 winner in 2006, followed by Angel Cabrera’s win at 80/1 last year. Furthermore, there have been plenty of longshots in the places, so don’t be scared of backing a player at a big price.
3. Despite being played on a different course each year, previous experience of the tournament is important. You have to go back to 1913 to find the last winner making his US Open debut. Therefore, it pays to follow players who have proved they can handle US Open courses.
4. The US Open course set-up is such that a player’s skills in many areas are put to the test. The USPGA philosophy states: "A US Open course should test all forms of shot making, mental tenacity, and physical endurance under conditions of extreme pressure found only at the highest levels of championship golf." That translates to narrow fairways, penal rough and lightning-fast greens. Par on any hole is a good score. Therefore, it pays to look at the All-Round ranking before placing your bet.
5. American players used to have a good record but the last four winners have all been ‘Rest Of The World’ players - Retief Goosen, Michael Campbell, Geoff Ogilvy and Angel Cabrera. So, if you fancy a ‘home’ player, it might be wise to back him in the Top American market.
6. Playing catch-up on a US Open courses is nigh on impossible so, if you’re betting in running it will pay to focus on he players at, or near the top of the leaderboard.
7. As always, shop around for the best prices and concessions. In the long-term that can make the difference between winning and losing. For this year’s US Open, both Paddy Power and Boylesports are betting 1/4 odds, six places!
Latest US Open odds: Tiger Woods (7/2 Paddy Power), Phil Mickelson (8/1 Ladbrokes, Sergio Garcia (20/1 bet365), Padraig Harrington (25/1 VCbet), Vijay Singh (33/1 Stan James), Jim Furyk (35/1 totesport), Geoff Ogilvy (35/1 Pinnacle) - 40/1 bar.