By Lee Dover
In the shadow of the Golden Gate Bridge comes one of the biggest golf tournaments of the year, when San Francisco hosts the 2012 US Open between June 14 and 17.
Before a ball has even been teed off or a caddie has walked across the sublime grounds of The Olympic Club, many people are already anticipating the next chapter in the battle for supremacy between Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.
The event is one of the richest that the sport has to offer, with a heavy purse of $8 million (£5.15 million) waiting to be nabbed, $1.44 million of which goes to the actual winner. Not bad for a few rounds of golf.
There is little surprise that both golfers have the eyes of the world pinned on them, with the past decade or so being decorated with both of these names.
GRIN WHEN YOU’RE WINNING: Tiger’s win at Memorial (picture: Getty)
Woods heads into this year’s US Open as a man reborn, with his personal life under wraps and fans beginning to talk about his exploits on the golf course instead of away from it once more.
His performances have particularly been making the headlines, with the USicon last week matching Jack Nicklaus’ career record of 73 PGA Tour wins by emerging victorious at the Memorial Tournament in Ohio.
Not that Woods would brag about his record or anything, mildly telling Sky Sports: “It’s been pretty nice and to do it at age 36, it’s not too shabby. I’ve been very proud of what I’ve done so far in my career and I feel I’ve still got a lot of good years ahead of me.”
Ok, so there was a bit of bragging, but with only a few days to go until the first day of the US Open, every golfer involved will be hoping to create a tide of momentum.
With Woods’ latest feat, there is plenty of value in him nabbing his fourth US Open title this weekend with odds of 7/1 in online betting with Paddypower.com
Perhaps McIlroy needs a little nudge to tell him that Woods is right on his heels and seems determined to take his US Open title from him this weekend. Right now McIlroy is 14/1 in betting for the US Open with Paddy Power.
The Northern Irishman was on top of the world last year, when he saw off the challenge of Australia’s Jason Day to win the 2011 US Open at the Congressional Country Club in Maryland by a huge four strokes.
Fast forward 12 months and McIlroy finds himself coming off a disastrous St Jude Classic, which saw him hit a double-bogey at the last to finish in a tie for seventh place.
Ever the optimist though, McIlroy stated after the competition: “I saw a lot of positive signs this week. I got in a good position after 11 holes of the final round and hit a couple of shots coming in, but, you know, overall it’s still a pretty good week.”
Fans who are confident McIlroy can turn his fortunes around at The Olympic Club can take tasty odds of 14/1 on the world number two retaining his US Open crown – not bad for a man who destroyed the competition in the same tournament last year to become its youngest ever winner.
Very much looking forward to watching Phil, Bubba and Tiger tee it up together. If only Rory were paired with them! Maybe in the second round?
Lee, you have used the same graphics for the US Open as PP had for the US Masters, for the supposed shoot out between Tiger and Rory (which never happened). Don’t believe the hype, this won’t be a Woods/Mcilroy match up
Although The Olympic Course plays long, it is fairly tight, so there is little margin for error from the tee, accuracy is the key.
Lee Westwood fits the bill nicely and is in great form, but he is becoming expensive to follow and 13/1 is too skinny.
David Toms at 125/1 is a massive price for a uber-consistant player (35/35 cuts made)
Ben Crane is another in decent form at a big price 110/1. His deliberate carefull play will be hard to watch but effective here.
And Stewart Cink a previous Major winner comming back to form at 150/1 could be worth a punt
Hey Smoggie. Thanks for the comment. Some good insight from you there, pal. (And that was us who used the graphic again. We just liked it!)
Accuracy from the tee being key – like your phrasing – surely you can’t look beyond Donald at 13/1 then?
Paul
Hmm, Donald isn’t as perfect driving as people assume. I think he hit just 60-65% of fairways off the tee last year, although with his shortened driver he seems more accurate this season. It also seems to me that during each major Donald has a mini meltdown on one of the four rounds which effectively scuppers his chances of victory.
padraig harrington is going to be in contention in one of these again. sooner rather than later. im not saying he is going to win it. i wont even be backing him myself. that is all.
Greenman – you’re not the first to mention Harrington this week. Could be a solid each-way