So John Mulholland is going Seven Heaven. This preview is written by Kevin, that means my selection with come Eleven..th. Doesn't really work. This season the US Open is staged at the Congressional, last chosen as the venue back in 1997 and won by South African Ernie Els and the course also stages the A T&T national so perhaps that could be used as a guage to determining the victor. The tournament is only 4 years old with Justin Rose, Tiger Woods, Anthony Kim and KJ Choi winning this invitational.
The At&T is an invitational hosted by Tiger Woods and current joint fav and Tiger's best bud Phil Mickelson has only played it once back in 2007 and missed the cut. How will he fare this time. One win and one second this season but a poor Masters at Augusta, Mickelson has left 3 and arguably 4 US Open's behind him and it's hard to get excited about his chances at the odds.
One man that absolutely loves it around here is Anthony Kim. He won it in 2008 and should
have followed up in 2009 only for a weak 71 finish on Sunday. He missed last season through injury but his form this season is diabolical with not one top 5 finish for a golfer of his calibre. His best finish since a missed cut at Augusta is tied 56th. Horses for courses though, eh and at 100/1 with 7 places I think you could get a great run for your money.New Zealander Michael Campbell was 200/1 in 2005 while Lucas Glover was 100/1 in 2009 and only for a superhuman effort by Tiger Woods, Rocco Mediate would have walked away with the spoils at another huge price in 2008 so don't be afraid of the triple figured prices.
Anybody who likes fairytales will remember Michael Campbell, Ben Curtis or the Wild Thing's late subsitition into the Major will be backing Jason Dufner. He has snuck in after Anders Hansen withdrew and his form has been rock solid with top 10 finishes 3 of his last 4 tournaments including 6th in the Players. He has also finished 5 in last season's PGA championship. His approach shots are excellent and he is best on the tour for Proximity to the hole. Yes he's a longshot but again it's fairly nice to be holding a 150/1 shot docket in your hand come Sunday at a Major.
So enough longshots now, who from the front of the pack looks best placed to challenge. Betpack initially had Luke Donald priced up at 14/1 and I cannot see why he was that big. His stats this year are frightening. 4th at the Masters and Players. Winner of the BMW PGA and World Matchplay. Every tournament a top 10 finish bar his opening tournament missed cut in the
Northern Trust. The only negative is lack of course form but the man has all the tools to unlock this course and at the prices looks head and shoulders above Lee Westwood, Phil Mickelson and Rory McIlroy. I'd give chances to Martin Kaymer and Nick Watney but the best of the best is Cool Hand Luke. Kaymer doesn't suit Augusta while Watney, disappointing at Augusta has shown he one of the best Americans left to defend their Majors and will win one soon.Verdict: Luke Donald 14/1
Outsider: Anthony Kim 100/1
Stab in the dark: Jason Dufner 150/1
Honourable mentions Kaymer 25/1 & Watney 25/1
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