2011 US Open (Golf)

The world's best golfers will tee it up for our national championship on Thursday morning. Congressional Country Club is the host in 2011. This will be the third time that this prestigious golf course in suburban Washington, DC will host the US Open. The last time was in 1997 when Ernie Els took home the US Open Championship Cup. Els is amongst the field this year, but is a long shot at 60 to 1 odds. The dubious distinction of being the favorite according to the experts - and by experts I mean Vegas - goes to Rory McIlroy. The 21-year-old that gagged away The Masters come in at 10 to 1 odds to win his first major. The world's top 2 ranked players in Lee Westwood and Luke Donald are at 12 to 1, as is Phil Mickleson who has finished 2nd place five times in this tournament. There are no huge favorites but many contenders this year. Here are my top 10 bets to win our national championship in 2011.

1. Matt Kuchar - USA (20 to 1)
World Golf Ranking: 6th
Best US Open Finish: 6th (2010) in 5 starts
Average 2011 Score: 69.42 in 14 starts

2. Phil Mickleson - USA (12 to 1)
World Golf Ranking: 5th
Best US Open Finish: 2nd (1999, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2009) in 20 starts
Average 2011 Score: 70.09 in 12 starts

3. Robert Karlsson - Sweden (50 to 1)
World Golf Ranking: 17th
Best US Open Finish: 4th (2008) in 6 starts
Average 2011 Score: 71.03 in 11 starts

4. Brandt Snedeker - USA (45 to 1)
World Golf Ranking: 46th
Best US Open Finish: 8th (2010) in 5 starts
Average 2011 Score: 70.21 in 15 starts

5. Luke Donald - England (12 to 1)
World Golf Ranking: 1st
Best US Open Finish: 12th (2006) in 7 starts
Average 2011 Score: 69.63 in 9 starts

6. Geoff Ogilvy - Australia (60 to 1)
World Golf Ranking: 32nd
Best US Open Finish: 1st (2006) in 7 starts
Average 2011 Score: 70.69 in 11 starts

7. Jason Day - Australia (40 to 1)
World Golf Ranking: 18th
Best US Open Finish: Never Participated
Average 2011 Score: 70.13 in 12 starts

8. Nick Watney - USA (25 to 1)
World Golf Ranking: 14th
Best US Open Finish: 60th (2008) in 4 starts
Average 2011 Score: 69.89 in 11 starts

9. Jim Furyk - USA (50 to 1)
World Golf Ranking: 19th
Best US Open Finish: 1st (2003) in 6 starts
Average 2011 Score: 70.98 in 14 starts

10. Graeme McDowell - N Ireland (50 to 1)
World Golf Ranking: 7th
Best US Open Finish: 1st (2010) in 5 starts
Average 2011 Score: 71.23 in 9 starts

Prediction - The absence of Tiger and the aging of Phil has forced me to pick another 1st time Major Championship winner. My pick to become the 2011 US Open Champion is Matt Kuchar. Kuchar has elevated his game and has reach 6th in the latest World Golf Rankings. The US Open fits his game well, as you will not find him making too many mistakes. He has 8 top 10 finishes this year and is ready to take the next step. I will take Matt Kuchar to win hist 1st major at 20 to 1 odds.