The 115th US Open from Chambers Bay

[SaveTheHumans]

Hey guy's and gal's. Please feel free to post your thoughts and musings on the upcoming US Open from Chambers Bay here.

Really looking forward to this test of golf and watching how the best in the world handle the challenge.

I will put up my selections during the week here and look forward to hearing your thoughts, and best of luck to whichever player your cheering on this week.

 

[Fabulous Fabio]

Good to set up a seperate thread, hopefully my players will be doing well and I'll have plenty to post here! I could easily pick about 10 players to bet on but I'll restrict myself to 3, or maybe 4.....

I'll post them on here after they've went through my rigorous selection process and I've got my 3(or 4) that I'm taking to the live shows with me

 

[Talal El]

I think its wide open

My bet's will be on Dufner, F Molinari, Mickelson

Also will be on Furyk, but will lay him off on the final round if he's in contention- Bottlejob Jim will not hold his nerve

 

[cityhull]

Always do well at The Masters but that's normally as good as my golf selections get.
Looks set to be a really tricky course, I'll probably back Fowler @ 22/1 ew 6 places

 

[SaveTheHumans]

Really like the way Mickelson has spoken so positively about the course so far. I once read that Jack Nicklaus used to love hearing a rival moan about a course as it filled him with confidence about winning as he knew his opponent would wilt if push came to shove. So far I've been hearing all the right signals out of the Fowler and Mickelson camps. No suprise there both out of the Butch Harmon "academy". 3 day's to go! Selections soon from me

 

[Fabulous Fabio]

So, here's the ones to avoid guys. The unlucky players to be selected for my assault on the US Open are.......

Jimmy Walker 40/1
Brooks Koepka 66/1
Billy Horschel 66/1
Hunter Mahan 100/1

I've decided to stick with the Americans, and also stick to players a bit further down the betting. It's coming across as a tournament that someone a bit more under the radar could come through and win, the US Open does have a history of shock winners anyway, but this year in particular with all the talk of how hard the course will play and players may not have experienced many things like it, a few of the favourites may just be too far out of their comfort zones. None of my picks have won a major, but all 4 have finished in the top 10 of a major at least once in their career, so know what it's like to be up there near the top and get close.

 

[redcgull]

Now then STH's... Long time no post...(my fault that im afraid...)

Anyway I do remember doing one or two of these golfing threads in the past, and I jolly well enjoyed doing them too. But things have changed and I just don't get the time anymore, but I do make time to have a look at what I feel has a chance...

So without further ado...

Its a first time course for about 95% of the field, in competition anyway, as its a course that's only 8 years old. It's also a course that is a s far removed from the usual fair that the US Open usual throws up, with its almost distinct links feel to it, plus being right up in the top left hand side of the U.S of A no less...

So not many trends to follow going into this comp but I will put a couple of things out there for you all to mull over...

You need someone on form to win the US usually, someone who has had at least one finish in the top 6 for the season. The stat that bores this out is that of the last 15 champs, 14 of them had at least one top 6 finish in that particular season...

Players tend to be of a certain age that win it now-a-days... Other than Rory back in 2009, where he was 22, 14 of the last 15 winners have all been aged between 25-37...

Then we come to the course itself... Its long, not the longest, but it boasts some of the longest par 4's on the US Tour...Its undulating contours, ridges and kick backs make the tee shots become very interesting coupled with huge putting surfaces. The greens are severe in some cases and I do think that they will have to be very careful where some of the flags are positioned, as is demonstrated by the putt that Bubba Watson plays that's gone viral...!!! check it out if you can, its crazy golf on a US Open course...!!!

So a long hitter, where accuracy wont always come into play most of the time, plus accurate and high GIR stats, with good form going into the tournament are the perquisite for trying to find the winner...

So I am gonna go through the field tonight and post up a few selections tom I hope...

Good luck to all who play, as its been a long time since I did...

 

[beeforsalmon]

I've backed Fowler tonight at 22s and I'll back Rory too when he gets pushed out on Wednesday or Thursday.

The PGA Tour tweeted flyovers of the course, it looks a bit like a links course poured over a stone quarry to me! Some of the par 4s are well over 500 yards so if you're not long off the tee you're in trouble. Fowler plays links golf really solidly and bar 2 8s in his third round of the Irish Open he'd a been very much involved in the business end of it. Rory's a more sentimental punt, he's been good to me last year landing the Open and PGA at tasty odds so I'll back him more in hope then expectation.

Could be a complete lottery result, wouldn't be surprised should the top 6 on Sunday night not all be 66/1 + shots...

 

[King Shergar]

I share some of my fancys with a few of you.

Mickelson is a player I always like to back in the majors, as I find bookies always underestimate his chances. These days he plays sparingly, but he practices for his game to peak at the majors, and as we seen with his 2nd place finish in the masters he's still got it! He played well last week in the Jude Classic finishing in the frame, and most of the experts are of the opinion that Chambers Bay will be a course that will really suit his game.

Justin Rose is another fancy of mine, as he's been playing really well recently, he won about a month ago on the PGA tour and then only lost out in a play off 2 weeks ago. Not to mention his strong tied 2nd place finish with Mickelson at the masters. He's a former winner of the US Open so he enjoys this type of challenge, and unlike all the other English players in the field, he can play the big shots under pressure. He showed tremendous balls when he won the US Open, so he won't choke when others will at the business end.

Rickie Fowler is my final selection. He has shown a liking to this type of golf, having performed well on links courses over here, and done well at the US Open aswell. He seems to have refound his form lately aswell, winning the players championship, and going well in the Irish Open for a long way.

So I'm gonna back all 3 of those EW first 6 against the field. I'm waiting til tomorrow morning to place my bet, as you get the usual price war by the bookies to bring in business. William Hill normally go top price on every player the day before a major

 

[SaveTheHumans]

Great to see you back writing red, I did send you a msg on the racing board but you must have missed it. Good insight for the forum to follow as usual. Th is 14th is a real cracker isn't it?

Beefy, Trent Jones Jr the designer of the course didn't want to take away the look of what was previously there which is why some holes you will find looking like a quarry site. Have to say he did a fantastic job with this course and I love the way he has utilised the surrounding area including the train that runs through into the view of the player's and will give them plenty to think about with distractions in the backround. Would love to play this course someday.

 

[SaveTheHumans]

Beefy the Betfair Sportsbook are offering 16/1 for a tenner on McIlroy for new customers. Not sure if you've an account with them but said I'd let you know or anyone know for that matter that is interested in Rory.

 

[redcgull]

So with only a day and a bit until the start of the 'links' US Open, here are my picks...

Jimmy Walker @ 35/1...
Ranks 2nd in the FedEx, and 11th in the World, has won twice this year (which not many players do...) and finished T2nd last week shooting four rounds in the 60's. Is recognised as one of the best putters on the Tour, which I think is a deffo big plus on this new course, and I think he should be shorter in the odds than he is... Ranks 20th in Driving Distance, Number 1 for Putts gained and 32nd in GIR... He must be a big player this weekend...

Ryan Moore @ 70/1...
I just like the fact he is returning 'home' in a way, as he is a Washington state man. Sits 21st in the FedEx, 32nd in the World with a one Tour win under his belt so far this season. Came T12th at the masters, on their tricky greens, (something we will encounter here) and came a very creditable T18 two tournaments ago. Took the week off to talk to the huge media scrum that accompanies the US Open, local boy done good I suppose, and I think that was a great call be him. Not the longest off the tee, ranks 162, but temper that with driving accuracy of 70%, which sits him 11th best. I just think he will be carried along by some of the locals and that's gotta be a good thing in the long term...

Kevin Kisner @ 80/1...
If its form you want going into a biggy then Kevin Kisner must fit the bill. His last 6 tournaments read T8, T5, T38, 2nd, T28, 2nd which is some run for a bloke no matter who you are. Like Moore, he isn't the longest driver of a ball, ranks 125, but is accurate, sits 23rd. He is obviously very happy with his game at the moment and that is a big plus going into one of the Major tournaments. He ranks 6th in 3 putt avoidance which when looking at where they could put some of the flags is deffo a big plus. Gotta go with form...

Kevin Chappell @ 150/1...
If truth be known im not totally sure why I picked our Kevin, and im still scratching my head now. But pick him I did, and he's got as much a shout as any other player sat at 150/1... As ive binned my notes from last night I can only wonder what I saw when studying the form... Oh well. good luck Kevin...


Anyway there are my picks... All done in the usual £2.50 e/w bet... PadPow pays 1/4 odds top 6...

Good luck to all as usual...

 

[SaveTheHumans]

Great reads so far lads good luck with all your picks.

Well I've finally got a chance to sit down and get my selections up and I've gone for two this week in the shape of:

Phil Mickelson 18/1 - if anyone deserves a US Open its big Phil. 6 runner up finishes yet he is still as keen as ever to win this event and even more important, he has a realistic chance to do so here. If he can find his fair share of fairways, and his putter is working then this could be the making of a good run at this for Phil as his short game will be it's usual brilliant best which will be key to keeping in and around par here. His attitude is terrific and you can be guaranteed Phil will be trying 100% no matter what gets thrown at him.

Bubba Watson 40/1 - Being able to play every shot in the book is a major advantage to Bubba every week, it's a matter of whether his drives can be accurate enough to allow him make more greens this week. His short game is excellent and if the putter is going well then he can hang around the top of the leader board and be challenging come Sunday. To be honest I wouldn't normally be on Watson for a US Open as it requires a very patient and wise head to win most times and Bubba is a no hold back guy mostly. He has got plenty of practise in around Chambers Bay and has been trialing the new Periscope pro too so hopefully he he's gained valuable insight to help him this week.

Now all I need to do is say a prayer

It should be a cracker of a test. Let the games begin!

 

[cityhull]

I've backed Fowler, was a nearly man in the majors last year. Seems to be hitting a bit of form and has the all-round game that should suit a course like this

 

[Talal El]

Call the men in white coats!!

Ive just had a tenner on Tiger on the exchanges at 100- obviously knwon for his brilliant course management which is what this course needs- reporters have also commented on him saying his iron play in practice has been superb. What wth the course measuring out as one of the longest it will be a right test of endurance and Tiger is one of the fittest.

A wild longshot all the same and he will have to cut out hsi waywardness off the tee- but seeing him at 100 i couldn't refrain from having a nibble on one of my heroes

 

[Talal El]

My full bets:
Furyk 43's Exchange
Tiger 100's Exchange
Molinari 80's e/w
Dufner 100's e/w
Dubuisson 200's e/w
Lefty 18's e/w

 

[beeforsalmon]

My four to avoid, all each-way.

RORY 8/1
RICKIE 22/1
Branden GRACE 125/1
Danny WILLETT 125/1

Anyone get the 14s Stan James were offering on McIlroy?! Big price that was.

 

[cityhull]

Looking at the lenght of the par 3's and 4's doesn't look to daunting today so someone could post a decent score. Could all change on days 2/3/4 when they make some of the holes longer

 

[Fabulous Fabio]

I had been talking up Dustin Johnson's chances for the past 2 weeks to friends and family, after he pulled out of last weeks tournament with "illness" i decided against backing him, thinking he'd maybe not be in the best condition either physically or mentally, but of course he's off to a flyer today and is up with the lead

Very early days of course, but still annoying. Be even more annoying if he does win it!

 

[SaveTheHumans]

Cracking scoring early on. These greens should get very quick as the day goes on over there so the earlier starters are making hay whilst the Sun shines. Running beautifully at about 12 on the stimp