The US Open moves back to Pinehurst No2 for the
first time since 2005, when New Zealander, Michael Campbell shocked the golfing
world to see off Tiger Woods and Retief Goosen. His level par score was good
enough to capture his first and only Major, but as it may have shocked the
American golfing fraternity it came as no real shock to European public as
Cambo had won many tournaments in his career including the Irish Open at
Portmarnock and The European Open at the K Club. Sadly, due to personal
reasons, Cambo will not be at Pinehurst this year. His compatriot, Danny Lee
then won the US Amateur at Pinehurst in 2008 beating a Patrick Reed in the
semi-finals. Pinehurst though, as undergone some changes since, most notably
the rough has been changed to a more natural wasteland hazard, with the greens
becoming the defense to this brute of a golf course. Accuracy is the key to
success. And you need to have some length ! The US Open could be the hardest to
win of the 4 Majors and looking back at results over the years, the roll of
honour backs this up as the elite of the golfing world have prevailed.
The One to Beat
It’s no surprise then, to note that the US Open
Champion needs to have certain trends or criteria coming into the week. Experience is key. It’s an absolute must and
whilst a lot of talk will be about Jordan Spieth, he’s suspect when coming down
the stretch and may need more Majors under his belt before he gets one. Indeed,
the 1999 US Open winner at Pinehurst, the late Payne Stewart, is the last player
over the age of 40 to win the US Open. Good tee to green players with an
impeccable short game and scrambling prowess will battle this one out. With no Tiger Woods, all eyes will be on
Rory McIlroy. He has the power off the tee and on his first visit to the course
last week, he expressed his likeness for the course. If he gets the now
customary fast start he could be the one they have to beat, but for me, Ben
Crenshaw’s work on the greens may prove
to be too quick for the Ulsterman and I’m happy to take him on.
From the Pack
Matt Kuchar ticks all the boxes to win at
Pinehurst. Easily the best player in form this season on the US PGA Tour and
has the all round game required to succeed in North Carolina. Tied 6th in 2010
he followed that up with results of 14-27-28.
His form this season is phenonemal, winning already and recording ten
TOP10s and was 5th at Augusta. He’s suspect coming down the stretch for sure,
but he’s had the experience of it now and can go close. Given the length of
Pinehurst, Masters’ champ, Bubba Watson will be on many shortlists. Playing
very solid of late, despite losing out at Doral when he should have won and
again at Jack’s Place when he looked like the one to win until he went out of
bounds at the end. He’ll be short in the betting but not without a chance. Like
Spieth, he’s suspect in closing out the deal.
My Selections
Having reviewed Pinehurst flyovers on the various
websites, I’m drawn towards players that can position themselves off the tee
and find greens...consistently. Miss the greens at Pinehurst and the scoring
chances evaporate. Upside down saucer shaped greens that are fast with mutiple
run offs will be the main defense of the course so a player that can get the
flatstick to hot up as well as bring a superb chipping and scrambling game will
relish the challenge. That should
eliminate Lee Westwood then ? Well, perhaps not, as his stats for his short
game have improved immensely of late. Whether he can keep it up over 72 holes remains
to be seen and having gone close at Torrey Pines in 2008, he can contend again
here. 33/1 is minimum price though for me. His tee to green game is excellent,
will be very patient and can finally break through for a very deserved Major.
Martin Kaymer though looks ideal for Pinehurst.
His natural fade off the tee will be well suited, and his short game is
impeccable. One of the few players that I feel most confident over any putt,
Kaymer will build on confidence and recent performances indicate that he’s
coming into this in the right frame of mind. Winner at Sawgrass last month came
on the back of a 31st finish at Augusta (a course that doesn’t suit), and 2
TOP25s at Hilton Head and Quail Hollow. Already a Major winner on US soil,
Kaymer can show his cool in the heat of battle and is preferred over Ireland’s
Graeme McDowell who simply loves the US Open.
My third selection is Dustin Johnson. The 29 year
old should have a couple of Majors in his locker already having lead going into
the final round at Pebble Beach before GMac prevailed. He went so close too at
Whistling Straits before being penalized for grounding his club in the “hazard”
so he’ll be prepared for any eventualities with the natural waste areas here.
Johnson has the length to get close on the holes that present opportunities and
his short game aint too shoddy either. He’s in decent form having posted six
Top10s this season alone and is currently in the TOP5 in the FedEx Cup
rankings. He missed the cut at Augusta but I’m more encouraged by his results
at Pebble Beach, Riviera and the TPC Four Seasons and his all round stats on
tour this season. He’s ranked 6th for par 3 birdies or better, and its the
par-3s that could prove decisive throughout the week. If he can get a good
start and improve on his 3rd round scoring, he’ll be in the mix.
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