US Open Tips

U.S. Open - Merion GC, Ardmore, PA

13 June 2013 - 16 June 2013

Tip date: 10 June 2013

This week we have the second Major of the season, and usually the toughest. The venue changes every year and the venue this week is Merion GC in Pennsylvania. The USGA always ensures the courses feature narrow fairways, thick rough and lightning fast greens. This week will be no different. The course itself is a par 70 just under 7000 yards – very short these days. Both par 5s are in the first four holes and the last five holes are extremely tough. The course certainly favours the patient players who can plot their way round. It’s certainly not a ‘bomber’s’ course. The fairways camber towards the rough so this will be a very stern test. It was last used for a US Open in 1981 and there is precious little course form to go on. Webb Simpson defends and he’s described Merion as his favourite course in the World.

Interestingly, you can play Merion for free at www.wgt.com. This gives you a good idea of course layout and what the pros are likely to face.

Name	Odds	Bookmaker
Webb Simpson	2pt each way 55-1	PaddyPower 1/4 odds TOP SIX!	Finishing position: T32 Back Webb Simpson Again
It’s very rare that we back a defending champion but that’s exactly what we’re doing this week. The odds are instantly eye catching and Webb has had a perfectly solid 2013 so far culminating in a play-off defeat at the RBC Heritage. Obviously, he can handle the US Open conditions and is a proven winner. He’s been preparing since March for this event and has played Merion alot more than most in the field. The short nature of the course plays into his hands too. Anyone who rocks up this week having never seen the course before is at a serious disadvantage. Simpson has described the course as one of his favourites in the World and he’s making all the right noises about a stout defence of his title.
Hunter Mahan	2pt each way 66-1	BetVictor TOP SEVEN	Returned 35pts for T4 place finish! Back Hunter Mahan Again
If you look at what’s needed to contend this week (finding fairways and greens, together with a steady putting touch) then Hunter Mahan possesses these things. He currently ranks 11th for ball striking, 29th strokes gained putting. He’s had a decent season so far at 16th on the Fedex Cup rankings. The US Open record is a bit of a mixed bag (T6 2009 the highlight). These odds are rarely available for a player of this calibre and we think Mahan is firmly in the ‘Major Champion About To Happen’ category.
Boo Weekley	1pt each way 100-1	BetVictor TOP SEVEN	Finishing position: MC Back Boo Weekley Again
Boo has had a fairytale 2013 culminating in a win at Colonial. You always get a number of outsiders in the mix and Boo is carrying some significant momentum at the moment. He’s 7th in the Fedex Cup and 5th for Ball Striking. His tee to green game is as good as any at the moment so if he can handle the slick Merion putting surfaces then we can see him popping up in the top half dozen.