U.S. Open Golf Predictions Anyone?

[tcfrogs]

I say Chad Campbell.

Sergio would be my pick, but Euros just don't win here.

[HEyHEY]

1. Weir!

!

[tcfrogs]

2. Fine with me!

I like Mike Weir a lot, but I'm afraid he'll be in the "fescue" too much this week. Masters is much more his style, IMHO.

[rooboy]

3. Vijay Singh. n/t

[tcfrogs]

4. Can Tiger hit the fairways?

If he doesn't, he might end his streak of made cuts.

[Awsi Dooger]

7. Hope you're wrong, I took 5/1 on Tiger to win

Just a value bet, like +2.75 that a horse with miler breeding could not stay the Belmont distance.

I've been on a winning streak lately and decided to wing it on Tiger. He'll be stinging 2 irons off the tee and has always said the US Open level automatically eliminates half the field. I haven't seen him at 5/1 since the '97 Masters. Admittedly, Tiger's swing is still flawed and I almost never cash these win-only selections in golf. Faldo used to come through for me, but somehow he aged.

I need Els and Campbell in several matchups apiece.

Mostly, I'm just looking forward to the event and course. I made a side trip to Shinnecock in '97, two years after Corey Pavin won. Along with Kiawah Island in South Carolna, this course reminds me of a classic links course more than anything in America. I visited on a glorious windswept summer Sunday afternoon and they let me check out a few holes. The mounds are pronounced, blind landing areas and thick whispets of grass. I hope it's 10 inches deep.

[ProfessorGAC]

10. He'll Make The Cut! Bank On It!

He's hit over 74% of his fairways in his last 4 events. That's above the tour average.

I think he'll finish at least Top 10, and he will absolutely make the cut.

The lag in his swing is reduced. He was getting the club too far behind him earlier this year and a good part of last year. He's shallowed out his plane and will begin hitting the ball like we expect him too.
The Professor

[Awsi Dooger]

11. Exactly right regarding Tiger's swing, Professor

Club too far behind him, especially with the longer clubs, dating to a week before the 2002 PGA. It was miraculous he closed to within one of Rich Beem, as wild as he was in that PGA.

The pathetic aspect has been the golf-ignorant fans, and even some writers/commentators, who have attributed Tiger's slump to changes in his personal life. After splitting with Butch Harmon, Tiger's swing has been noticeably flawed on the backswing and he has been forced to make adjustments on the downswing, blowing tee balls both left and right as a result. It has looked noticeably better lately, particularly in the Memorial two weeks ago.

Damn, I need some sleep. ESPN's coverage begins in 2 1/2 hours.

[ProfessorGAC]

12. I Know From Whence I Speak

I have that exact problem. I play pretty well (to a 4), and i hit the ball a decent distance for a 47 y/o with MS. (About 250 - 255).

When i start hitting irons thin, and start blocking or hooking off the tee, it's almost always because i've flattened out a bit and am getting my hands trapped behind my body.

So, when i see Tiger do it, i recognize it immediately, since i can almost feel the need to pull the club over the top to get back to the ball, and i'm not even the one hitting it!

It's a common problem for players who rely on arc and flexibility for club head speed as opposed to leverage or strength. (I'm too short for leverage and too weak to be a pounder.)

It's obvious what's wrong with his swing, but that's a REALLY hard problem to fix.
The Professor

[Striker Davies]

5. Singh and Els...

will probably face off on Day Four. I really want to see Adam Scott shake off Big Match nerves and come through, as he certainly could. And Craig "Mighty Mouse" Perry could repeat his earlier smash hit

Nice to see the epitome of cool, David Duval back on deck.

But any Aussie winning is fine by me!

[tcfrogs]

6. Like the Aussies, but

Adam has been miserable on tour since winning the Players Championship.

Love Parry, aka Popeye.

Stuart Appleby is a better bet than Scott or Parry.

I think (please correct me if I'm wrong) the only winners of the U.S Open have been Americans since 1970 - (Tony Jacklin at Hazeltine, I believe).

EDIT - I meant, no Europeans have won since 1970. Plenty of foreign players have won. SORRY!

[tkmorris]

8. I say it's Tiger and Vijay come Sunday

And Tiger will win it. Vijay is a very smart course manager which will benefit him well here but Tiger just has more game than he does and is patient enough to not blow it.

I'd love to see John Daly win but brains will win this one, not aggressive play.

[tkmorris]

9. Oh BTW, a dark horse

Corey Pavin. I think he has a real chance on a course like this.

[GOPisEvil]

13. He won there in '95, so yeah, he has a chance.

:7

[GOPisEvil]

14. Dark horse: Jeff Maggert

He seems to play well at major tournaments. He is a good ball striker. He just needs to have a good putting week, and have no major flare-ups, like at August in 2003.