2009 US Open Predictions
Written June 16, 2009 by Jason Lowry
The US Open is known for putting the best players in the world up against some of the most difficult golf courses, and that will be just the case this weekend when the best in the world tee it up at Bethpage Black. This will be just the second time the US Open is to be held at this difficult venue. The course made its first appearance back in 2002, with none other than Tiger Woods coming out on top with an impressive score of 3 under. Woods was the only player to finish under par back in 2002, and with the course adding over 200 yards it could play even harder this week. The key to success at Bethpage is keeping the ball in the fairway and out of the rough. If you hit it into the 2nd or 3rd cuts of the rough, it becomes almost impossible to get the ball anywhere near the hole on your next shot. With the tournament set to get underway in just a matter of days, here is a look at the three golfers I feel have a great shot at winning this tournament this weekend.
Tiger Woods: This pick shouldn’t be much of a surprise, but I don’t see how you can keep this guy off the list. Woods captured his 3rd career US Open victory with a historic performance at Torrey Pines last year, where he pretty much won the event on one leg. Woods won for the second time this season in his last start at the Memorial Tournament, and it was the accuracy off the tee that really gave him the chance to come back from a 4 shot deficit on Sunday afternoon. That accuracy off the tee has been a concern for Woods prior to the Memorial Tournament, and if he can repeat that success this weekend he could walk away with this tournament. Woods hasn’t finished outside of the top 10 in any stroke play tournament since returning from knee surgery, and I don’t think that will change this weekend. With it being very unlikely that any golfer can come out and runaway with this thing, I think the safe money has to be on Woods this weekend. Bet Woods +125 to win the US Open at Sportsbook.com.
Paul Casey: Here is a guy that has not won a major in his career, but the way he is playing this season its only a matter of time before he cashes in at one of the big events. Casey has one win this season at the Shell Houston Open, but hasn’t really played terrible in any start this season. Casey’s best finish at the US Open is a tie for 10th back in 2007, but he did not play at Bethpage back in 2002 and that could hurt him. Casey has the game to play well at Bethpage, as he is strong and fairly accurate off the tee and is pretty good at hitting greens in regulation and putting. Casey might be considered more of a sleep to win this weekend, but I have a good feeling he will be right in the thick of things come Sunday afternoon. Bet Casey +2500 to win the US Open at Sportsbook.com.
Kenny Perry: Here is my true sleeper pick this weekend, as I feel Perry can really surprise people this weekend, just as he did earlier this season at the Masters where he finished tied for 2nd. Perry hasn’t played at a US Open since 2006, where he finished 58th, but this guy has really found his swing the last couple of years. Perry did play at Bethpage back in 2002, finishing tied for 45th, and that experience should help him this weekend. Perry won the FBR Open earlier this season, and has already accounted for six top 10 finishes this season. Perry is also very good off the tee and should have little problem with the length of this course, and is also a very good at finding the green in regulation, but where Perry could struggle this weekend is on the greens, as his putting has been inconsistent this season. Bet Perry +5000 to win the US Open at Sportsbook.com.
For those of you looking to do some golf betting this weekend on the US Open, be sure to check out our expert golf picks and make sure you have the latest golf odds at Betfirms.
If you liked this article, you may also be interested in:
- 2009 US Open Betting Odds
- 2009 Buick Open Predictions
- 2009 British Open Predictions
- 2009 Memorial Tournament Predictions
- 2009 Arnold Palmer Invitational Picks & Predictions
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