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Golf: US Open Betting – Bet on the winner of the US Open

GOLF – US OPEN – 12th to the 15th June – Click here for a free £25 bet on the US Open

The U.S. OPEN Championship was first played in 1895 and is one of 13 national championships conducted by the USGA. Torrey Pines is only the second municipal golf course ever selected to host this prestigious event, the Black Course at Bethpage, N.Y. being the first in 2002. This will be the tenth U.S. Open to be played in California. Torrey Pines Golf Course is located in the area of San Diego known as La Jolla, which is on the coastal bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Since 1952, it has hosted the Buick Invitational annually in January or February.

US OPEN BETTING 2007 REVIEW

Oakmont lived up to its billing as golf’s greatest test in the 107th U.S. Open of 2007. The 36-hole “cut”, at 10 over par, was the third highest since the Second World War. Phil Mickelson, carrying a wrist injury, along with twice winner Retief Goosen, Sergio Garcia and Luke Donald were amongst those who failed to make it to the weekend. Temperatures in the 80s meant that the course became firmer and faster with each passing hour. The best round of the championship was a one-bogey, 4-under-par 66, in the second round, from Englishman Paul Casey. Under the severe conditions, Casey’s score brought about comparisons with Johnny Miller’s equally remarkable 63 in the final round to win the 1973 U.S. Open at Oakmont.

Australian Aaron Baddeley had led by 2 shots after 3 rounds, but made triple bogey 7 at the opening hole on Sunday. Baddeley eventually finished with an 80 (his worst round of the week by 8 shots) and a tie for 13th place. Woods himself let the field “off the hook” with a double bogey 6 at the 3rd, moving him to +6. Argentinean Angel Cabrera posted a final round 69, for a 72-hole total of 285 (5 over par). He was then left with an uncomfortable wait as Woods, just a single shot behind, still had 4 holes to play. However, Woods was unable to capitalise on birdie chances, finishing with 72, giving Cabrera victory by one shot. Woods and Jim Furyk tied for second, with Sweden’s Niclas Fasth alone in fourth at 7 over, while Bubba Watson and 2001 PGA Champion David Toms tied for fifth. Cabrera’s victory made him the third consecutive first-time major winner at the U.S. Open, joining New Zealand’s Michael Campbell at Pinehurst in 2005 and Ogilvy last year at Winged Foot.

NEWS, TIPS FOR BETTING ON THE 2008 US OPEN

Tiger Woods (3/1, 888sport) completed his fourth successive (and sixth in all) Buick Invitational win, in January, by eight shots, continuing a love affair with Torrey Pines dating back to his junior days. However, the world no. 1 has seen no competitive action for nine weeks and must be “ring rusty”. It may well be that Woods is able to prevail on his comeback, but this is surely a big ask in a major. The obvious alternative is a win bet on Phil Mickelson (8/1 with Ladbrokes), on his local course. Mickelson has won the Buick Invitational 3 times along with a further six top-ten finishes. Runner-up in 1999, 2002, 2004 and 2006, he must have his best chance for some time of lifting the trophy.

Europe’s record in the US Open Betting is dire, with Tony Jacklin’s 1970 win the last time the trophy was in European hands. The European hand appears very strong this year, with Donald, Garcia, Harrington, Rose and Stenson all arriving in good form. However, the familiarity of these names means that they are plenty short enough in the betting and are overlooked for punting purposes. Recent US Opens have seen international players coming to the fore, specifically those from the southern hemisphere. The last four winners, Retief Goosen, Michael Campbell, Geoff Ogilvy and Angel Cabrera all learnt their trade in warm winds, on hard, fast courses with quick greens. Furthermore, all four give the ball an almighty smash from the tee. A myth seems to have developed that the US Open is best suited to shorter straighter hitters, yet all four of the above rank higher in Driving Distance than Driving Accuracy. At close to 7700 yards, the Torrey Pines course will be the longest ever for a US Open and length may be more important than ever. Every player misses fairways, but advancing the ball with a short iron is far easier, hence the advantage of the long hitters. Other factors that the above-mentioned four players have in common are course form and the ability to perform well in the U.S. Open.

In summary, when looking to bet on the winner of the US Open, punters should look for long hitting, southern hemisphere players, with decent course form and proven ability in the US Open. The following players are worthy of consideration:

Camilo Villegas

Colombian Camilo Villegas appears too young and wild to make any impact in a major such as the US Open.
However, having missed the cut in 2004 (his first professional tournament) he made the weekend when 59th at Winged Foot. Last year he finished with an impressive 71 to finish tied 26th at Oakmont. Villegas boasts a third place in the Players Championship and has also been placed in the other big Florida events, so has proved he can thrive in elite company on tough courses.23rd in last year’s USPGA, Villegas finished an encouraging 13th in January’s Buick Invitational to suggest that he could go well in the US Open there. Hopes have been further raised by recent good performances, namely a third at Sugarloaf two starts ago and a tied 18th in Memphis. 5th in the All-round rankings, Villegas clearly has a game and he has a better chance than his dismissive odds of 125/1 with William Hill suggest. A minimum each-way bet is recommended.

Stuart Appleby

Appleby is in the top 25% in Driving Distance (48th) has finished 10th in a West Coast US Open, and was 26th last year. The Australian has been in good form for most of the year, starting with four top-tens (one at Torrey Pines), finishing 15th at the Players Championship along with top twenty five finishes at Memorial and St. Jude. He knows the course very well and has won 8 times on the Tour. 100/1 with Ladbrokes represents outstanding each-way value.

Robert Allenby

Allenby hits it long and straight (17th in Total Driving), is ranked number one in Greens In Regulation, and goes into the tournament on the back of a play-off loss at the St. Jude Classic. He seems particularly pleased with the way he’s playing going into Torrey Pines. He also has a decent US Open pedigree with a seventh at Shinnecock in 2004, a 12th at Bethpage in 2002 and a 16th at Winged Foot in 2006. 66/1 with Ladbrokes seems worth a small each-way interest.

All odds correct at time of writing. Please click here for the latest odds