I like Lefty's suggestions of David Howell or Luke Donald. My longer shots would be Zach Johnson and Mike Weir.
The key to the week will be iron play and putting extremely well. These are the collective meanest greens these players will ever face (Augusta included) due to the slopes and bumps of the greens and the surrounding US Open rough.
Tiger and Phil will be up there because of their short games. It's no fun in picking these favorites to win any tournament. I think the 2 of them versus the field would probably be even money to put things in perspective.
If Goosen was playing like he was in March or April, I'd wager a lot on him, and he was my original pick. But he's off his game a bit right now, which is a shame b/c Winged Foot suits his game prolly better than anyone out there with his right to left shot and the fast greens. But he may find his game this week, who knows.
I'm going to go out on a limb and pick Adam Scott. I think this guy's knocking on the door. I like a guy who's hot going into the Open, and he is hot. If he can get his putter to stay in decent shape for 4 days, I think he'll win his first major. Remember, the last time a major was at Winged Foot the best player to never win a major won. Adam Scott right now is the best player never to win.
"This golf course is set up for pristine conditions: zero wind, 80 degrees and warm," said Mickelson. "And if they don't get it, this course will be unplayable."
The myth that any score better than 10 under par devalues the tournament is perpetuated by US Open organisers. The sooner they make it an all round test of golf rather than an endurance battle where luck is too important the better the tournament.
"This golf course is set up for pristine conditions: zero wind, 80 degrees and warm," said Mickelson. "And if they don't get it, this course will be unplayable."
The myth that any score better than 10 under par devalues the tournament is perpetuated by US Open organisers. The sooner they make it an all round test of golf rather than an endurance battle where luck is too important the better the tournament.
I think that's a little exaggeration from Mickelson. They were saying the same thing about Pinehurst last year before it began, and then after the tourney, the players were happy with the setup, and the score is what it should have been....Even Par.
The U.S. Open is supposed to be the toughest test as any in the world...where even par is the goal. It's the one tournament where every single shot is a test, and mentally it so demanding. Look at the winners we've had in this Championship...they're hardly "lucky champions". They've been some of the BEST in the world: Tiger, Goosen, Stewart, Els, Furyk, Pavin and Janzen in their prime, Kite, Nicklaus, Irwin, etc. Once in a while you'll get a Campbell or Jones have a hot week, but for the most part, the Open produces a great champion. Sure, luck is part of the game in any tournament, but in the U.S. Open it's more about minimizing your mistakes and mentally staying strong. I wish more tourneys were like the Open.
Winning any tournament takes a certain amount of luck. The list of US Open winners is filled with the "luckiest" players on the planet. I guess that means your "all round test of golf" criteria is different than the USGA's. Accurate driving, precise iron play, good putting, and great recovery skills, are all necessary to win the US Open. I thought that's what identifies the best players in the world.
Sure, the USGA has made some mistakes, but rarely have those mistakes made the course play easier or helped the less skilled player. The USGA has been at this for a long, long, time and while they do cross the line on course set-up occasionally, they still provide the sternest test of golf of the four majors. That's not going to change.
Hey, League, all that's missing is ..."and the home of the Brave."
June 13th, 2006, 11:18 AM
I guess that means your "all round test of golf" criteria is different than the USGA's. Accurate driving, precise iron play, good putting, and great recovery skills, are all necessary to win the US Open. I thought that's what identifies the best players in the world. 
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