The second major of the season is being played at Torrey Pines and the course has been set up with narrow fairways and seriously heavy rough. In short, this course is going to represent an unforgiving challenge to every area of a player's game, and the general rule on the most punishing courses is that the very best players tend to dominate. Starting with the blindingly obvious, here’s my view on this week’s main contenders as seen by the bookmakers, with the best odds available at the time of writing.
Tiger Woods (5/2 Boylesports)
Tiger’s record at Torrey Pines is phenomenal with four straight wins in the Buick Invitational (which is played here each January), and six wins in all. The last three of those wins also happened to be his first start of the season after a lengthy break, so it shouldn’t be too much of a concern that he hasn’t played a competitive round of golf since finishing second in the Masters due to knee surgery. More worrying is his occasional wayward driving which has cost him victory in the US Open before, although his determination, strength of character and his powers of recovery make him the one to beat this week. Very much the one to beat.
Phil Mickelson (8/1 general, including Paddy Power who go 1/4 odds, six places)
The only Torrey Pines record to come close to Tiger’s is Mickelson’s - three wins and four other top four finishes - and, having won at Colonial recently, he arrives here in peak form. Would love to add the US Open to his CV, especially having finished runner-up four times, the last of those coming two years ago at Winged Foot, when he led down the last. hard to see him finishing outside the top five this week.
Sergio Garcia (22/1 bet365)
A month ago, it would have been impossible to fancy Sergio, but his win at Sawgrass has changed all that and his tee-to-green brilliance will be a major (sorry) asset this week. Of course, everything will revolve around his fortunes on the greens and, knowing how fast these are likely to be, that has to be a concern. Still, a top-10 finish is on the cards.
Padraig Harrington (25/1 Ladbrokes)
Has been remarkably consistent in this event with four previous top-10 finishes and his fifth at this year’s Masters was a fine effort. Since then, however, he has struggled with the putter, missing the cut at the Players and again in the Welsh Open, where he was one of the favourites. Last week’s effort in the St Jude Classic was more encouraging and he will have his supporters this week, but I’m not one of them.
Vijay Singh (30/1 Pinnacle)
Has been a model of consistency over the past decade or so but, at 45, age might be catching up with him. In any case, despite making the top-10 seven times in his major, he has never really looked like winning it and, even at 30/1, his biggest US Open odds that I can remember, he makes little appeal.
Jim Furyk (33/1 BetDirect)
Has always been a reliable punt in this event, winning in 2003 and finishing runner up for the last two years. However, he’s yet to fire on all cylinders this season and his lack of length off the tee will be magnified more than ever at this year’s track, which is the longest on Tour. No appeal at the odds.
Geoff Ogilvy (40/1 888sport)
Very much a golfer for the big occasion, winning at Winged Foot in 2006, twice winning the World Golf Championship, and regularly making the top-10 in the Majors. What’s more, he arrives at Torrey Pines in excellent form, so another US Open win this week is a distinct possibility.
Adam Scott (40/1 Stan James)
Up to No.3 in the world rankings, but that is based on some stellar form in ordinary Tour events and he’s yet to really contend in a Major, in particular this one as he’s yet to make the top-20 in six attempts. He’s readily passed over and I wouldn’t be surprised if he missed the cut.
Luke Donald (40/1 Blue Square)
His claims are obvious as he’s a ‘fairways and green’s straight hitter, but he’s yet to get into serious contention in a major. Perhaps that will change this year as he has a fine record at Torrey Pines, finishing runner-up in 2005 and 2006 and never outside the top-25. But has he got the bottle to win?
Retief Goosen (40/1 Boylesports, who also go 1/4 odds, six places)
Showed nerves of steel to win the US Open at Shinnecock Hills in 2004 when he was the only one to keep his head on the lightning fast greens. Hasn’t really contended since, however, and he has looked a shadow of his former self over the past year. Readily dismissed.
Stewart Cink (40/1 sportingbet)
Very consistent player, although he doesn’t win as often as he should. Still, this has been his best season for a while, with his best finish coming at Torrey Pines back in January when finishing third to Tiger. Went close to winning the US Open back in 2001, missing a short putt to get into a play-off, so no surprise to see him contend this week.
Ernie Els (40/1 Paddy Power)
No worthwhile Torrey Pines form, but he does have an excellent US Open pedigree having won the title twice (94 & 97) and posting top five finishes when tied-2nd in 2000 and tied-5th in 2003. His best recent finish, however, was back in 2004 when he finished tied-9th, and he has looked way short of his best for a while now.
Tim Clark (66/1 Stan James)
A straight hitter which is always going to be an asset on the penal courses used for US Open. No surprise then that he finished third at Pinehurst in 2005 and has registered two other top-20’s in the last four years. True, he doesn’t drive the ball very far, but there’s more than one way to make par and that’s what the U.S. Open is all about. Recently finished second at Colonial and led by four shots going into the final round of the St Jude Classic, so arrives here in peak form.
Mike Weir (66/1 Ladbrokes)
Played superbly over the weekend at Muirfield Village to finish tied-2nd, so his game is clearly in good order. What’s more, he is a major winner with a rock-solid record in the US Open. The 2003 Masters winner’s five year form-figures read: 3rd (most recent); fourth; 42nd; sixth and 20th, so the Canadian left-hander looks each way material this week.