The image every golf fan hopes to witness Sunday <------ (unless you're like me and root for Tiger to miss the cut every event)
Tiger will not win the US Open this year. I know the course sets up for him and he is playing great golf, I just really don't think he will get it done. Call it a gut feel, I guess.
Hard to believe that it was 7 years ago when the US Open was brought to a public golf course for the first time ever, and Bethpage Black was put on the map. The legendary public golf course located on New York's Long Island, has five courses, color-coded to level of difficulty with Black obviously being the toughest. A great idea, the golfing world got what they wanted as the gallery was incredibly vibrant, cheering on Phil Mickelson as if it was his home course as he gave Tiger all he could handle, but ended up in second, three shots behind Tiger. It was one of the better golf tournaments I can remember watching, between the difficulty of the course, the public aspect and the fans cheering on the underdog, it gave golf the excitement of Happy Gilmore teeing off, while maintaining the class and appreciation of the sport found in The Legend of Bagger Vance. Needless to say, I'm excited about this weekends tournament.
One thing we have heard a lot about and will continue to hear is how Mickelson will be able to maintain his necessary focus with people wishing his wife well (she was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and he has missed a lot of time and will continue to, by the way expect to see a lot of pink on your tv screens). I really don't agree with this analysis. People will be wishing her well, surely, but that doesn't mean it has to affect him while his taking his shot. The gallery will quiet and he'll focus in...it's not as if the golf fans will be chanting "BREAST lump" in the middle of his backswing.
The Contenders:
Tiger Woods - Obviously the heavy favorite here, Tiger isn't even 2:1 to win this...that is simply astonishing. The length of the course, the famed first-ever 300 yard par-3 we saw in 2002, will be accompanied by I believe four 500 yard par-4's, obviously sets up well for Tiger...there really isn't much reason to think he won't win this thing I guess, but I promise - The Tiger Woods Show that is any event he's involved in will be talking about how he doesn't get it done this year. Bottom line, Tiger is pewch. I can't stand him and his stupid comments, his love of fishing, his ridiculous house, his wife. He's boring. The coverage of his every move is also boring and exhausting, and it surprises me how many people love the man. He's pewch people:
Phil Mickelson - Will be the far and away fan favorite and is going to win this thing, riding an emotional wave and playing inspired golf. If Lefty is swinging the big stick well not even Tiger can keep up.
Geoff Ogilvy - My boy. Think his game gives him the best shot of anyone not named Phil or Tiger to win this thing.
Paul Casey - Shot well in this tournament last year and is playing the best golf of his career with a pair of wins over in Europe this year as well as his first on the PGA Tour, Casey has propelled all the way up to #3 in the world. Should be in the mix.
Sergio Garcia - Unfortunately, I don't think anyone believes he can truly win this thing. That said, I'll be rooting for him to do well, he's playing good golf but this course may end up being a nightmare for him.
Jim Furyk - Also have to consider him...while the distance of the course hurts him, he can make up for some of that with his incredible mid-range game, cutting some strokes in areas where others will get hurt. Ultimately though the course is just too long for him, can't see him winning.
Henrik Stenson - Great Euro golfer who I believe was my most wagered on golfer when I used to bet golf. Another Euro whose game doesn't set up for the course I feel. Might hang around but ultimately shouldn't contend.
Steve Stricker - Playing very well and has contended at the Open before, I'd give him a puncher's chance here.
David Toms and Padraig Harrington - Couple guys would not surprise me at all if in contention come Sunday.
Rocko Mediate - Misses Cut.
Heath Slocum - Apparently old Heathcliff, former absolute scrub MLB reliever and somehow one-time all-star, has reinvented himself as a professional golfer.
