in Golf Articles

After last year’s course at Winged Foot in Mamaroneck, New York, PGA members, as well as the media, asked the simple question: Was this the hardest U.S. Open course ever?

With record high scores and pars at a premium, everyone felt the crunch. Tiger Woods, the PGA savior, didn’t even make the final cut last year. The overall winner? A relative unknown, Geoff Ogilvy (+3500), with a shocking score of plus-5. After this U.S. Open though, Oakmont should blow away all Winged Foot claims as the toughest U.S. Open course.

The Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pennsylvania is no stranger to the U.S. Open. It has been hosted there five times in the past, including such memorable events as Ernie Els’ dramatic victory in 1994 and Johnny Miller’s historic win in 1973, featuring what many consider the best first round in golf history.

With its legendary bunkers (over 180 throughout the sprawling course), few golfers can lay claim to dominating this course. Indeed, this year’s contingent may have just as much, if not more, trouble than at Winged Foot.

Tiger Woods, the BetUS Sportsbook +250 runaway favorite to win his third U.S. Open title, aims to be the front runner heading into the tournament. Despite his missed cut last year, Tiger thrives in the short, rough game and, as one of the game’s most competitive men, is definitely looking to reclaim the title after five years without an Open win.

Don’t count out other hot contenders, though.

Jim Furyk (+1600) is on a streak and shot well at last year’s Open. He always seems to be the bridesmaid and never the bride, but it could be his time, especially in front of a hometown crowd. Phil Mickelson (+900) hurt his wrist a few weeks back during course prep at Oakmont. While this shouldn’t really be a big issue, with Lefty’s well-known distaste for the rough stuff, it could play a part. That said, he did win the Player’s Championship last month and came second in last year’s Open. That confidence alone could give him the needed boost.

Zach Johnson (+4000) is definitely this year’s “It” boy on the PGA circuit.

Expect a few big names to miss the cut. Retief Goosen (+2500) is shooting terribly as of late and Scott Verplank (+7000) has been very up and down, including a MC at the Wachovia Championship a month ago. Also expect a few relative unknowns to creep onto the leaderboard, as this year is sure to have a “darling,” just as in the past few years.

Bettors can really clean up if they can spot who’s hitting the ball well in the initial stages and who’s having none of the course’s many hazards. With a course this dramatic, it should be expected that the human drama will follow.

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