The US Open is only one day away and is already being predicated as the toughest US Open yet. Oakmont Country Club was built by Henry C. Fownes and designed to punish a bad shot. It punishes bad shots to the extent that 11 over par was enough to get into the top 10 back in 2007 and 5 over par was the winning score. Measuring 7,254 yards and playing as a par 70, the test of Oakmont is the rough, church pew bunkers and arguably the fastest greens of the year. These greens are predicated to be stimping at an unbelievable 14.5. The only comparison that can be made to bring that stat to life is to imagine putting on your windshield or a piece of big glass, just getting the ball to stop is a result. One hasn’t even considered how much the wind will blow, which it will. All the odds are heavily stacked against the players as Oakmont waits with its sharpened knives out. It has already thrown its first punch and the tournament has’t even started yet, Chris Crawford who is an amateur competing at the US, had to watch as his caddie broke his ankle trying to get out of one of the treacherous bunkers during a practice round. It is going to be the proverbial bloodbath and will require as much patience as skill for whomever wants to hold the trophy on late Sunday afternoon. With 98 more bunkers than St Andrews the home of golf, and 210 in general, there is no place to hide at Oakmont. You will be found out if you are even the slightest bit off your game. The best in the world have arrived to negotiate it and will do their best to beat the course as much as their competitors. A moment of a lifetime awaits the winner as winning a US Open at Oakmont will send you into the hall of fame. Golf is a lot bigger than any individual and has the ability to bring one to their knees time, standing up to this test will mean that your name will never be forgotten, from the youngest unknown amateur to Jordan Speith, greatness is there for anyone who is brave enough.
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Jordan Speith (+850 BetOnline.ag)
This tournament will be won or lost on the greens and that is why Jordan Speith goes into the competition with an edge over his playing partners. The young Texan is also the defending champion as he won last year at Chambers Bay. There are very few players who prepare as well as Speith before a tournament so that will certainly play a big part. Known for having big match temperament and a putting touch that others could only dream of, Jordan Speith may well make it two back to back US Open wins.
Phil Mickelson (+2500 BetOnline.ag)
Phil Mickelson has come close so many times at US Opens and will look to win the event that has evaded him for so long. 6 near misses at this event would have taught him invaluable lessons about what it takes to win a US Open. ‘Lefty’ is also in very good form and finished second at the St Jude Classic last week. Could this be Phil’s time? Has he put to bed the demons of the 6 failed attempts and will he use that agony as motivation to finally win this event? Roll on the US Open…
Branden Grace (+4000 BetOnline.ag)
If the young South African ever goes on to win a major then the US Open will be it. Grace finished in the top 5 last year at Chambers Bay and was one bad swing away from possibly winning it. That bad swing ended up going out of bounds and costing him the tournament. With a low stinging ball flight and an improved putting stroke, Grace could end up going all the way if he gets early momentum behind him. There is little doubt that Grace has a game that can overcome the waiting gauntlet.
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Branden Grace • Chambers Bay • Jordan Speith • Oakmont Country Club • Phil Mickelson • St Andrews • US Open