PGA oddsmakers at Bodog.com have Tiger Woods (3/2) and Phil Mickelson (14/1) as the top two favorites to win this weekend’s 2009 US Open, on Thursday June 18-21 at Bethpage Black. But the bigger question being asked is – Can Phil Mickelson beat Tiger Woods through 72 holes? Oddsmakers at Bodog.com don’t think so as Phil Mickelson is listed as +300 underdog to lose to Tiger Woods who is listed as -450 favorite. Be sure to get your Can Phil Mickelson beat Tiger Woods at the 2009 US Open Prediction in now at Bodog.com
Tiger Woods is a three time US Open winner and obvious favorite to win this week. One thing to watch for in Tigers game will be his driver, will Tiger go for the "Big Daddy Caddy Driver" or play it conservative and use his 3-wood. The venue will play to 7,426 yards on the scorecard and is known for its length and ruff. But it will be very interesting to see how often he can get away with hitting 3-wood instead of driver. If Woods can afford to hit 3-wood on, say, 10 of the 14 driving holes, he'll obviously find more fairways and have greater success; if that number is reversed, though, expect more confusion and alarm with the driver, never a club that goes very straight for him. He won the 2008 US Open in dramatic fashion, over Rocco Mediate, by sinking a putt on the 18th hole to force a 18 hole playoff. Tiger won on the first hole of sudden-death playoff following an 18-hole playoff. In winning the 2008 U.S. Open, Woods became just the second man, after Jack Nicklaus, to win each of the majors at least three times. This year Tiger has made seven of seven cuts with two wins. He won the 2009 Arnold Palmer Invitational, the 2009 Memorial Tournament and he also has three Top 10 finishes. Tiger has two second place finishes and one third place during 14 US Open appearances.
Phil Mickelson has come close to a US Open but it has eluded him in 19 appearances. He has four second place finishes and three in the Top 10. Phil played his first tournament last week since his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. He finished a miserable T-60, though it should be noted that a pre-major championship cold streak for Phil doesn't necessarily spoil his chances of winning. Back in 2004, he finished 8 shots back at the BellSouth Classic before winning the Masters one week later; two years after that, he won the BellSouth by 13 and claimed the green jacket once again. "I'm not playing just to play," Mickelson said. "I think Bethpage is a golf course that suits my game, and I love playing on that course. Phil had a one shot lead at the 18th hole in the final round in the 2006 US Open. He opted out of using a simple three wood to find the fairway and instead used his driver which proved costly. He bogeyed and handed the US Open to Geoff Ogilvy. Phil has two wins on tour this year; he won the 2009 Northern Trust Open and the 2009 World Golf Championships-CA Championship.
2009 US Open
When: Thurs, June 17, 2009 10:00 AM ET
Line: Bodog.com
Pick: Phil Mickelson +300
Point-Spreads.com Can Phil Mickelson beat Tiger Woods at the 2009 US Open
The Bottom Line: Both players can be wayward with their drives, but I like Mickelson with fans, his wife, his short game and a reason to win backing him up. Be sure to get your Can Phil Mickelson beat Tiger Woods at the 2009 US Open Prediction in now at Bodog.com and start winning today!
