Who will win the 107th U.S. Open at Oakmont?

I put what I thought were the favorites in the Poll but lets get the discussion started on who everyone thinks will win the 107th U.S. Open at Oakmont...I am going to be pulling for Ernie Els. The "Big Easy" !!!

Jim Furyk. This course is going to reward whoever his the ball straight more than anything else. I'll give an outside chance of either Monty or Duval as well, if they're playing.

I'm going way out on a limb here and picking a long shot to win: Sean O'Hair. I figure this pick will be good for conversation if nothing else.

O'Hair is driving the ball long and straight, a key for U.S. Open play. He's also hitting a lot of greens in regulation (30th on Tour I believe). He has had strong showings at the Players and the Memorial. Sure, his putting isn't great and there are questions as to whether he choked on the 17th at the Players, but I'm picking him anyway.

Hey, with Major championships it's can all come down to peaking at the right time (See: Michael Campbell, Todd Hamilton, Ben Curtis, Shaun Micheel, and Zach Johnson).

Yes, I know that O'Hair hasn't actually qualified yet, but I like to live dangerously!

Any particular reason that other recent major champions weren't on the list? Specifically, can we get Geoff Oglivy and Zach Johnson onto the list?

Meanwhile, I'm thinking Ryuji Imada or Stewart Cink.

Sean O'Hair is playing well right now, but then again so is Rory Sabatini. I don't know if Phil recovers in time...would like to see him compete at full strength. You always have to put Tiger in the mix, but he has been awfully buzy as noted every few minutes on the Golf Channel. It will be interesting especially that 800 yard par 3 they have now!

Looking forward to a nice Sunday afternoon of Golf on Father's Day, maybe after a morning round...oh and pancakes .

I am counting on his wrist being OK.I think Phill will overcome last year and take home the hardware this year.Thank you Mr.Harmon

I think Tiger has too much on his mind with the birth of his first child, building a golf course and sponsoring his own tournament. Phil might have wrist issues. I would put some money on Zack just because he has a great putting stroke. Especially on fast, slopey greens. He showed it at the Ryder Cup, which is great pressure, and the Masters.

I will win!!!! Just kidding, i'm picking adam scott.

I think Zach Johnson has a real good chance, he hits the fairway and is in great control of his game...

not those four, I would say Zach !!

Players I like

Tiger Woods - No explanation needed

Adam Scott - He's playing great and it just might be his time to win a major.

Jim Furyk - When I think of US Open, Jim Furyk immediately comes to mind. Fairways and greens, a true grinder and good putter.

Retief Goosen - Another player who comes to mind when thinking of the US Open. Won twice, contended in others. Seems the worse the conditions the better chance he has. No different this year at the Masters.

Vijay Singh - Vijay can string together the pars with the best of em. His driving worries me but he may be second to Tiger at salvaging a round, something everyone will have to do at Oakmont.

Zach Johnson - Zach has taken the next step. I don't think he'll win but I can see him contending in every major this year. He's taking a step this year much like Geoff Ogilvy took last year.

Geoff Ogilvy - Gotta include the defending champ. He's got real game and his name always seems to show up in the big tournaments.

Padraig Harrington - He kinda flies under the radar these days. One of these days he'll win a big event. Was close last year.

Paul Casey - I like his game. He played well in the Open last year and if he can get off to a good start (something he has had a tough time doing this year) watch out for him.

Players I don't like

Phil Mickelson - Obviously this one could be way off but putting all the top players on the first list is just silly. Phil's wrist has to be worrisome, even though he claims it will be 100% in time for the Open (he also claims he injured it in the first place practicing at Oakmont). Also, as The Open approaches, all the talk regarding his disaster at Winged Foot will be rekindled. The wrist, a million more questions about Winged Foot along with the fact he wants it so bad might be hard to overcome. Again, I could be way off on this one.

Ernie Els - Sure he won the Open the last time at Oakmont. Problem is that was 1994 and this is 2007. Originally I had Ernie on the first list but he just hasn't shown me anything this year. Even when get gets off to a good start (Memorial) he fades away.

Sean O'Hair - He seems to a popular pick much like Charles Howell III was for the Masters. I just don't see it. Not yet at least.

Vaughn Taylor - I don't know where he's been but I see a lot of pre-tournament WD's. That and the fact he has missed his last couple of cuts I don't see him contending.

Luke Donald - He was a lot of people's pick to win it last year. After a disastrous opening round last year he actually did play very well and backed it up with another strong showing at the PGA and was even somewhat in the mix in the Masters this year. However, he hasn't shown much this year or played nearly at the level expected of him.

Sergio Garcia - I think he'll win a British Open in the next few years. Even though he has had some high finishes at the US Open, I'm not so certain here. Anytime scrambling is key and 5-10 footers are crucial I have to shy away from Garcia until he can show he can consistantly make those putts.

Colin Montgomerie - Not this year Colin...

Charles Howell III - Is this the same guy we saw Jan-March? Where did he go?

Davis Love III, Stuart Appleby, David Howell, Chris DiMarco and Mike Weir - just to name a few more.

Sleepers

Stewart Cink, Jeff Maggert (he may not even be in the field) Rory Sabbatini, Steve Stricker, Jerry Kelly, Ian Poulter, KJ Choi. OK, so some of these guys are as good as the guys in the "players I like" list.

My pick: Adam Scott

I'm going WAY out on a limb here and saying Tiger Woods! How can you pick against him?

Tiger has lots of other things on his mind lately and other players have been playing quite well. Also, The Open is his worst major: he's "only" won it twice, whereas he's won The Masters four times, The British Open three times, and the PGA Championship three times. It is also the only major in which he has missed the cut as a professional. Granted, all the reasons to pick against Tiger either apply to everyone else, or a similar and not-as-good statement applies.

I know it's his worst tournament and he has a lot going on right now. BUT anytime I'm given the choice to pick ONE golfer to win a tournament, I pick Tiger. I don't think they're posted yet. But when they are, I'm sure Vegas odds will still have him as the favorite

Actually, his worst tournament is the Nissan L.A. Open. He's entered it a great many times and never won.

But I agree: if I have to pick ONE golfer to win an arbitrary tournament, it's Tiger. And he isn't a bad choice for the U.S. Open either... what is it, a 20% win record?

My pick would be Geoff Ogilvy to defend. He played well last week also, just not quite well enough.

But honestly i wouldnt be surprised if we saw a "what the hell" kind of winner next week. I'll say it will be someone who hasnt won this year.

Sleepers:

Ben Curtis, David Howell.

Jose Maria, im not sure if he's exempt or qualified but if he's driving it straight.. his iron play is excellent to go along with a good short game and great putting.

Mike Weir: he's playing average at best this year but he always plays well in Majors, where the score is near even par. He is driving it long and straight right now and he has 2 top 5's and a T6 in this event in his last 4 years playing.

Big Guns:

Tiger started playing well again at the end of last week so he's got a good chance aswell.

Veej: One of the big guns that I could possibly see surprising everyone and contending next week.

If Phil wins I'll shave my head... but that wrist is going to put nothing but negativety in his head. Even if he makes the cut I dont believe he'll be able to last, especially if its still bad enough that he actually does need cortezone shots all week. Id love for him to prove me wrong though.

Retief? Ernie? Jim Furyk? Luke Donald? big names that wont do anything.

I have seen some people questioning why I put who I did in the original pole. The attached is per Golf Magazine and this was titled "Who has played well at the Open in the past?"