2009 US Open - Odds and Picks

Once again it's US Open time, the event that signals summer's arrival and culminates on Father's Day. Hopefully with a riveting finale that will make Father's Day even more memorable. Based on his Memorial Tournament victory Tiger Woods has been installed as the heavy favorite. You could get better odds on the sun not rising tomorrow. To give you an idea how lopsided the odds are, Angel Cabrera, two time major winner, is listed at 67/1. I like his length as a prerequisite to taming Bethpage Black, the penultimate monster course in the rota.

Without further review and with assistance from Ladbrokes, the venerable British betting house, Average Golfer will commence to handicap this year's field of combatants and arrive at a top three selection to the amazement of all. Hang on to your hats..........

Tiger Woods, 2.75/1, Nuff' said. Prohibitive favorite and rightfully so based on his last performance here. Predicted wet four days will only help. Should win.

Phil Mickelson, 15/1, Lefty would have to pull a rabbit out to win this. Weak showing last week. Understandable given his wife's illness. Won't win.

Geoff Ogilvy, 21/1, Has a US Open trophy. Not exactly peaking. Still, has steely nerves. Possible, not probable.

Jim Furyk, 21/1, Straight as a Mormon. Has the experience and a trophy. Wet conditions won't help. Could win.

Paul Casey, 26/1, Better than the odds show. Having a great year. Has length, could win.

Padraig Harrington, 34/1, Paddy's not quite Paddy of last year. Obviously can win majors, just not this one.

Sergio Garcia, 34/1, Killed by crowd last time here over regripping ad nauseum. Not playing well enough for the mobs to ride him. Can't win.

Steve Stricker, 34/1, "Mr. Hang In There" til' the end, then beat you. Hot or not putter may tell the story. Could win.

Camilo Villegas, 41/1, Has the goods. Loves the spotlight. Needs to improve over recent results. Could win.

Ernie Els, 41/1, Never exactly fiery, seems complacent. Last Open wins seem eons ago. Won't win.

Retief Goosen, 41/1, Master of fast greens. Been there, done that. Like him as a dark horse.

Rory McIlroy, 41/1, Could surprise with a great round or two. Lack of championship savvy will probably hurt. Like him 5 years from now as a favorite.

Sean O'Hair, 41/1, Stares down Tiger. If he's around on Sunday perhaps a chance. Small chance.

Vijay Singh, 41/1, Would have to revert to Vijay of old and in a hurry. Knee bothers him more than he lets on. Possible.

David Toms, 51/1, Too short to compete here. Top 10 would be a great week.

Henrik Stenson, 51/1, Odds seem too steep here. Has the length and total game to compete with Woods. Could win.

Kenny Perry, 51/1, Plenty long. Plays his best golf in his late forties. Go figure. Could win with a hot putter.

Luke Donald, 51/1, Might turn in a good round. Too short for this behemoth. Won't win.

Zach Johnson, 51/1, See Luke Donald. Dry Augusta more to his liking.

Sentimental favorites.........David Duval, Rocco, Darren Clarke.

Sleeper Picks.........Sabbatini, Allenby, Rose, and Poulter.


Average Golfer's expert Top Three finishers........

1. Woods
2. Goosen
3. Stenson

There, another year under wraps. Maybe it's my advancing age, but hasn't the last year just blown by?

Bet early and often.



Til' next,