Picks for US Open at Congressional?

[Chilli Dipper]

The peculiar thing about the US Open is how half the field needs to qualify for the event, which means we're working with a limited number of exempt players when it comes to these prognostications. My position on this tournament, as I have previously stated, is that Congressional's setup will disproportionately favor bombers to climb atop the leaderboard. One such player whose chances I like for the Open is Gary Woodland. He's won on tour and lost a playoff this year, but at 54th in the World Rankings and below the top ten in PGA Tour earnings this year, Gary has to play his way in.

[The Recreational Golfer]

No one is picking Graeme McDowell to defend?

OK, here's my longshot pick - Alvaro Quiros. You want long, straight bombers? There's your guy.

I like Cabrera, too, but he hasn't been healthy lately.

Not that I'm predicting it, but it wouldn't surprise me if Tiger misses the cut.

[JayMc]

Graeme doesn't seem to be quite in the form he was in last year.  I don't see him defending.

Quiros has the game, if he puts it together you could be right.

Tiger will w/d hurt before he misses a cut.  If he doesn't have it he'll walk away before risking further injury to himself.

Originally Posted by The Recreational Golfer

No one is picking Graeme McDowell to defend?

OK, here's my longshot pick - Alvaro Quiros. You want long, straight bombers? There's your guy.

I like Cabrera, too, but he hasn't been healthy lately.

Not that I'm predicting it, but it wouldn't surprise me if Tiger misses the cut.

[Acropo]

Originally Posted by B of H

I think lee westwood has the perfect game for the us open but then again I though monty did as well.

Look at the number of times Monty was there or thereabouts and there's no doubt he had the game - what he did not have (until winged Foot) was the luck. At Winged Foot he had the luck and it was entirely his own fault he threw it away on 18. That approach shot was one of the worst duffs I've ever seen from a pro.

[Acropo]

Originally Posted by Ryan Williams

i think the winner is going to be someone that can hit it long and straight this is a big course

Bubba's long but straight is something he is not!

[Acropo]

Originally Posted by clubchamp

Westwood has the tools but I think that playoff loss may have rattled him,

I think it's more likely to have annoyed him and made him all the more determined. He was a bit unlucky at Wentworth in the playoff - up till that pitch on to the green he had played four days of very solid golf.

[Acropo]

After responding so often, I should really put in my two-cents' worth.

Dustin Johnson - long, straight and playing OK this year.

Alvaro Quiros - long, straight, has a good short game, too.

Gary Woodland, assuming he qualifies.

Lee Westwood

Luke Donald, assuming he gets his drives straightened out. His short game is superb - he should be able to par the long par 4s and sneak the odd birdie on par 5s and par 3s. Wonderful temperament.

What price another World No. 1 shootout?

[Shanker]

Bubba or Dustin....

[greatishten]

LOL cheers to the OP for calling the dark horse to win!

[B of H]

I think some people need to keep in mind that length isn't all that important on a course with concrete fairways even if its super long.  The trick is to be able to hit it straight enough or work it the direction you need to keep the ball running in the direction of the hole.  5 yard draws on dogleg rights don't work very well at times and vice versa.

of course if they get rain...then length comes into play for sure but they'd have to get a lot of it.

[domc36]

Fred Couples

[hokiebound]

Originally Posted by domc36

Fred Couples

Haha, he is the one I will pull for to win.

As for who I think will win... I really think Bubba will break out and win.

[JoelCochran]

Luke Donald, K.J. Choi, and David Toms.

Sentimental favorites: Fred Couples, Ernie Els, and Tom Watson.

[kpaulhus]

Im going to go with Tiger Woods as my pick to win the US Open!

But really, I hope Dustin Johnson, Bubba, or Rickie Fowler step up and top the leader board.

[domc36]

Haha. I'd Pick Tom Watson if he was in the field.

The Morning Drive guys are absolutely raving about David Toms to take it.

But ya the favorites have to be Bubba, Westwood, Donald and Phil.

Originally Posted by hokiebound

Haha, he is the one I will pull for to win.

As for who I think will win... I really think Bubba will break out and win.

[Harmonious]

Generally, to win the US open, you have to 1) hit fairways, 2) have a great short game and, 3) putt lights out.  Who possesses these qualities, and are also "hot" right now?

Fairways Hit Percentage: Gay (#1 Ranking), Toms (#3),  Wilson (#10), Donald (#13), Kuchar (#16), Snedeker (#32), Stricker (#33)

Scrambling Percentage:   Gay (#1 Ranking), Toms (#24), Wilson (#2), Donald (#6), Kuchar (#14), Snedeker (#23), Stricker (#3)

Putting Strokes Gained:   Gay (#18 Ranking), Toms (#6), Wilson (#84) , Donald (#8), Kuchar (#32), Snedeker (#2), Stricker (#7)

Top Tens this year: Gay (2/14) , Toms (4/11),  Wilson (4/15), Donald (8/9), Kuchar (8/14), Snedeker (5/14), Stricker (4/10)

Running all this data through the computer comes up with:  Donald, Toms, Stricker, Kuchar,  Snedeker.

Which, of course, means absolutely nothing...

[Stretch]

The British bookies have Ty Tryon at 1000-1. Anyone want a piece of that action?

For my dark horse pick, I've got £50 on Nicolas Colsaerts at 200-1.

[Zwick]

Martin Kaymer is my pick