The 2011 US Open tees-off, Thursday June 16th, as golf’s second Major of the season will be played at Congressional Country Club located in Bethesda, Maryland. Graeme McDowell won the 2010 US Open at Pebble Beach and will try to become the seventh player to win back to back Open Championships. But, PGA oddsmakers have Lee Westwood as 11/1 odds favourite to win the 2011 US Open. Let’s take a look at who’s hot and who’s not. Be sure to check out US Open Odds before you make your 2011 US Open predictions.
Four straight majors have been captured by first-time major winners. Will someone make it five straight at Congressional?
HOT!
Lee Westwood – is so close to his first Major. The world No. 2 has finished third or better in five of his last 12 majors. He comes to Congressional with three straight top-10s, including back-to-back wins at the Indonesian Masters and the Ballantine's Championship.
Luke Donald – the FedExCup points leader will arrive riding a streak of 10 top-10s — and two wins — around the world. The Englishman has five top-10s in 31 majors, including a tie for fourth at the Masters this year.
Steve Stricker – is perhaps the PGA Tour's steadiest player with a fairways-and-greens game that should play well at a major; and he has nine top-10s to show for it. Not to mention, seven of his 10 victories, including the Memorial Tournament two weeks ago, have come since Stricker turned 40.
Not!
Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson have been the dominant Americans at major championships in the last decade. But, it’s been a host of veritable youngsters and new comers that have made their presence known. Tiger has pulled out with a knee injury and Phil is slipping away like other older players. Phil started the 2010 Majors by winning the Masters and finishing T-4 at the US Open. Since then he hasn’t had a Top-10 finish in the last three Majors.
Rory McIlroy – he's already got one win in the States and another in Dubai. The Northern Irishman plays the tough courses well as evidenced as by four top-10s in 10 major starts, including a trio of thirds. But, who can forget his epic collapse at the 2011 Masters. He can’t handle the pressure, and if he is near the top of the leader board that’s all he’ll hear about from the press.
Odds To WIN The 2011 US Open:
Lee Westwood 11/1
Luke Donald 12/1
Phil Mickelson 14/1
Rory McIlroy 16/1
Dustin Johnson 25/1
Hunter Mahan 25/1
Martin Kaymer 25/1
Matt Kuchar 25/1
Nick Watney 25/1
Steve Stricker 25/1
K.J. Choi 28/1
Bubba Watson 40/1
Jason Day 40/1
Graeme McDowell 45/1
Adam Scott 50/1
Brandt Snedeker 50/1
Charl Schwartzel 50/1
David Toms 50/1
Geoff Ogilvy 50/1
Ian Poulter 50/1
Jim Furyk 50/1
Matteo Manassero 50/1
Padraig Harrington 50/1
Paul Casey 50/1
Retief Goosen 50/1
Robert Karlsson 50/1
Sergio Garcia 50/1
Aaron Baddeley 66/1
Angel Cabrera 66/1
Ernie Els 66/1
Francesco Molinari 66/1
Justin Rose 66/1
Lucas Glover 66/1
Rickie Fowler 66/1
Zach Johnson 66/1
Alvaro Quiros 80/1
Bill Haas 80/1
Camilo Villegas 80/1
Gary Woodland 80/1
Jonathan Byrd 80/1
Ryan Moore 80/1
Stewart Cink 80/1
Anthony Kim 100/1
Martin Laird 100/1
Robert Allenby 100/1
Rory Sabbatini 100/1
Webb Simpson 100/1
Y-E Yang 100/1
Ben Crane 125/1
Bo Van Pelt 125/1
Edoardo Molinari 125/1
Jeff Overton 125/1
Louis Oosthuizen 125/1
Mark Wilson 125/1
Miguel Angel Jimenez 125/1
Peter Hanson 125/1
Ryan Palmer 125/1
Trevor Immelman 125/1
Alexander Noren 150/1
Chad Campbell 150/1
Charley Hoffman 150/1
Davis Love III 150/1
Kevin Na 150/1
Seung-yul Noh 150/1
Anders Hansen 175/1
Brandt Jobe 175/1
Chez Reavie 175/1
D-A Points 175/1
Greg Chalmers 175/1
Gregory Havret 175/1
Johan Edfors 175/1
Kevin Streelman 175/1
Marc Leishman 175/1
Nicolas Colsaerts 175/1
Ryo Ishikawa 175/1
Shane Lowry 175/1
Harrison Frazar 200/1
Henrik Stenson 200/1
Kyung-Tae Kim 200/1
Robert Rock 200/1
Stephen Gallacher 200/1
Tim Petrovic 200/1
Briny Baird 400/1
David Howell 400/1
Hiroyuki Fujita 400/1
Kevin Chappell 400/1
Maarten Lafeber 400/1
Scott Piercy 400/1
Thomas Levet 400/1
Do-Hoon Kim 500/1
Fred Funk 500/1
Justin Hicks 500/1
Kenichi Kuboya 500/1
Kirk Triplett 500/1
Marc Turnesa 500/1
Marcel Siem 500/1
Michael Campbell 500/1
Michael Putnam 500/1
Peter Uihlein 500/1
Sam Saunders 500/1
Scott Hend 500/1
Sunghoon Kang 500/1
Todd Hamilton 500/1
Alexandre Rocha 750/1
Bubba Dickerson 750/1
Chris WIlliams 750/1
Chris Wilson 750/1
Jon Mills 750/1
Will Wilcox 750/1
Adam Hadwin 1000/1
Point-Spreads.com recommends you check out US Open Odds before the 2011 US Open
The Bottom Line: It’ll be a first time Major winner and most likely a young gun with good putting. Luke Donald or Adam Scott. Be sure to get your 2011 US Open predictions in early to beat the rush.
