Will Graeme McDowell be tasting US Open glory again?
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The US Open will not be one for the faint hearted, with the second major of the season always one of the biggest challenges on tour. This year's renewal will be no different, with penal rough, lightning-fast greens and a savagely-long test facing the players at Congressional Country Club.
Judging by what has been said, it is fair to assume that if you can't hit it straight then you really are going to struggle. US Opens are famed for the length of the rough and the fairways are always nipped in a shade from what would be served up to the members.
The Betting Bunker is not in the running for a degree in rocket science, but we are sensible enough to seek out those that hit it straight, putt with confidence and can keep their cool under the spotlight on Sunday afternoon.
The Europeans are defending this title, the first time that has happened since Tony Jacklin's victory way back in the 1970s, following Graeme McDowell's stunning effort at Pebble Beach last season. The Ulsterman has not been in the best of form this year, but he showed flashes of quality when leading at the Players Championship heading into the final round. And as a past winner of a US Open, he has to feature prominently on any list. There have been plenty of multiple winners of the US Open and Curtis Strange proved in 1989 it can be done back to back.
Betting bullets
- Graeme McDowell E/W - 45/1 at bet365
- David Toms E/W - 50/1 at bet365
The Ulsterman's form has been up and down but the fire still burns bright, as has been demonstrated with three top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour this season. His driving accuracy is 11th on the PGA Tour and we know McDowell can keep it together on a final day of a major. At 45/1 with bet365, we feel McDowell is one to be with.
With no Tiger Woods in the field, we have a different man at the head of the betting for a major. Step forward world No. 1 Luke Donald. It is clear to see why he is heading the betting at 12/1, as his driving ability and long-iron play are a match for anyone. His putting technique appears to have no flaws in at and even if he does get in trouble, he has the short game to remedy the situation. His win at the World Match Play Championship at Dove Mountain dispelled the notion that Donald can't win on long tracks. But Congressional is a different beast to the fast-running fairways of the Arizona desert and this could bring Donald back to the pack. At the likely odds, we are prepared to leave Donald alone this week.
Lee Westwood (14/1), Phil Mickelson (14/1) and Rory McIlroy (18/1) are next in the betting. But all are worth taking on for various reasons. Westwood is the best player from tee to green in the game, but until he shows some touch on the cut stuff we are prepared to look elsewhere. McIlroy has the game to win major championships, but his implosion at the Masters is still to the forefront of the memory banks, while not even Mickelson's famed scrambling skills will save him if his driver malfunctions.
Matt Kuchar and Steve Stricker are likely to fly the flag for the home team at 22/1 and 25/1 respectively, while some would see it as an insult that Masters champion Charl Schwartzel can be backed at 55/1. His form has not been brilliant since Augusta, but his game was rock solid on the Sunday at the Masters and his putting stroke repeated, repeated and repeated again.
Another player that catches the Bunker's eye at 55/1 is David Toms. The 44-year-old has revived his career this season, with a win, a second and a third, and he has the game to compete at Congressional - being strong and straight off the tee and solid on the greens.
Please note that odds are correct at time of publication and are subject to change.
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Alex Livie
Alex Livie was editor of ESPN.co.uk
