More on the U.S. Open

I have a gut feeling this will be one of the best U.S. Opens in recent memory. Pebble Beach is one of the prettiest courses in the world and great to watch on TV. The U.S. Open is also the most difficult setup of any other tournament. Thick rough, narrow fairways and small greens allow for memorable shots and infamous collapses. Most U.S. Opens are also extremely hot. The course usually gets baked and by Friday the greens treat golf balls like a horse's tail treats flies. This year will be different. The course may still be very firm, but Pebble Beach is unlike most Open venues. The temperatures will be in the upper 50's and most likely the sun will only be seen in the late afternoon once it finally burns through the fog and mist.

The U.S. Open at Pebble Beach is not know for one hit wonders winning their first and only major (the exception is Tom Kite in 1992, but he was not really a surprise to win a major). The other Pebble Beach U.S. Open winners: Jack Nicklaus (1972), Tom Watson (1982) and Tiger Woods (2000).

This brings me back to my earlier post's prediction of this year's champion being a past major winner, or like a Tom Kite, expected to win one. So, I'll take these five golfers and you can take the field:

1. Tiger Woods
2. Phil Mickelson
3. Jim Furyk
4. Padraig Harrington
5. Lee Westwood