HE nailed the US Masters winner at 11/1, now Louis Ross (@KingLouis2105) goes for major glory in the US Open this week.
US Open | Thursday – Sunday | Sky Sports
Its here. Yes Ladies and Gents, the 2015 US Open is upon us. Hosted at a unique golf course, prepare to forget everything you know about golf in ‘The Land of the Free'.
Chambers Bay in upstate Washington is the youngest course to ever host this tournament. Little more than 10 years ago, it was a wasteland. Constructed on the Pacific Coast, this place has been built to test and frustrate in equal measure. The US Open has always been a tournament where Par is a really good score. That could be tested to the max this week.
For those that have not seen the teasing little trailers that Sky have put together, I would say this place looks like St Andrews. On steroids. If you put ‘Bubba Watson Putt' into your search engine, you will get an idea of what to expect this week. A 75 footer played with his back to the hole. Proper Links golf.
There are a few odd features this week (to throw the players off even more). The 1st and the 18th will alternate Par scores each day. The players themselves seem to go from excited to disgusted by the place. Ian Poulter called the course a joke on Twitter this week. You can pretty much write off anyone with that kind of approach.
What this is, is a thinking mans golf course. Not just your normal ‘put it in the right part of the fairway' kind of place, but a course where imagination and the ability to play shots out of the ordinary will pay off. Landing a shot 10 feet from the flag here will probably leave you 90 feet on your next shot. What you will see is players playing for bounces and chasing the ball onto Greens.
As I said earlier, this is (in all but name) an Open Championship course. It's that style of play and mentality that will be required and I have factored that into each choice. Inevitably, Rory is favourite. That will be the case in any Major for some time yet. When Rory is hot, hes unbeatable. Is he hot right now? Two missed cuts and a week off make that a really hard call especially after the way he performed at Quail Hollow. I would rather not bet blind on his well-being at odds of 6/1.
Jordan Speith is inevitably my main fancy this week. 9/1 is so hard to recommend to you all in any golf tournament but especially a Major. However, I find it hard to pick faults in Speith's game, technique or attitude. His putting was a major factor in his US Masters win and continues to improve. From 20 feet in, you would almost back him to hole everything and when he misses, it is oh so close.
There has to be a negative with everyone and that is always experience with Jordan. 17th in his first US Open was a fantastic debut. He has made the cut at his only two British Opens as well. I have been sweet on Jordans chances for this, for some time. I think he wins, but these next two will run him close (I hope).
Pick two is an old favourite, the sportsman I love watching more than any other. Bias alert. Phil. What else do you need to say? I want Phil to win more than anyone else in the field. If for nothing else, it would complete the career Grand Slam and nobody else would deserve that honour more after so many times as a runner up in this.
What you want to see with Phil is his putting coming together and the last round in the St Jude on Sunday was an eye opener, with three or four sunk from 20 feet plus and most played in the style that he will need here. If Phil is in form, Phil is on the list.
Rickie Fowler is next on the list along with another particular fav of mine Brandt Snedeker. These guys both have similar games and proven form on Links style courses. If it blows a gale, expect Fowler to cope with it better than most. The big breakthrough for Fowler was winning The Players last month. Do not underestimate that victory. The players themselves rightly regard Sawgrass as the 5th Major. It proves Fowler is more than just potential and lots of bright orange on a Sunday.
Sneds is an intuition more than anything. Hes not done anything amazing this season, but has been consistent and will cope with these conditions very well.
The key for all four of my selections is that if they can get the ball on the fairways, they all have the skills and imagination to keep the ball on the green. That will be the most difficult thing for all players to face this week. Good shots may not always be rewarded. These four have the patience and temperament to deal with anything Chambers Bay throws at them.
I will have another piece later on in the week with some Top 10, Top 20 and Group betting thoughts. Good luck all.
Best Bets
US Open – Jordan Spieth To Win (9/1 William Hill)
US Open – Phil Mickleson To Win (18/1 888 Sport)
US Open – Rickie Fowler each way (22/1 William Hill)
US Open – Brandt Snedeker each way (50/1 Coral)
8 Places At Betway!
Betway are offering new customers an astonishing 8 places on the US Open.
Just make sure you join by tee-off on Thursday.
