A COUPLE of days ago I was asked for my thoughts on the US Open and the names I put up were Luke Donald and Jim Furyk.
The reasoning behind that was all the reports about the brutal Olympic course suiting an accurate player over a big hitter.
A great short game will always be needed to tame a monster the US PGA officials hope will keep the winning score down to around the level-par mark.
I never copy other tipsters – they get it wrong as often as I do – but on a Wednesday I usually have a look at Steve Palmer's picks in the Racing Post.
He's enjoying an excellent season and the only problem is the price on his No.1 choice usually tumbles when it's revealed.
I was encouraged to see he's tipping one of the players I mentioned here at the start of the week. But while his main pick is par-king Furyk, I'm taking Donald to win and backing the American each way.
While there are holes that suit big hitters the course in general has to be respected and if guys such as Tiger Woods, Dustin Johnson and Bubba Watson are consistently off line they'll struggle to make the cut never mind contend for the title.
So if Donald is on his A game he must have a chance. Keep it straight, keep getting it up and down and keep notching up the pars. That's what it will take.
Woods leads the market at a biggest 10-1 at William Hill with Lee Westwood second favourites at 14-1 with William Hill and fellow England ace Donald 16-1 with the same firm.
Ladbrokes say 25-1 shot Justin Rose is their biggest loser and that reigning champion Rory McIlroy remains untouched by punters. After three successive missed cuts the Irishman had a chance of winning the St Jude last week but double-bogeyed the last after finding water and finished seventh.
So the jury is out on McIlroy, a best 20-1 with William Hill, after a difficult spell and it's a tough venue on which to try and find your game. You need to have it when you arrive for practise.
It has been some time since a former winner won a Major and William Hill offer 11-8 any Major lifts the trophy and 8-15 it is a maiden victory.
I can't see an unknown being crowned but of course Donald and Westwood are hunting their first big one.
Others who could contend are consistent Matt Kuchar (30-1, bet365), fellow American Hunter Mahan (40-1, various) and classy Aussie Adam Scott (45-1, bet365).
Apart from the outrights there are loads of other markets on the go including to make the cut, winning nationality and will there be a play-off or hole in one.
You can also bet players you like to finish top five, top 10 or even top 20. Donald and Westwood are 5-4 at Stan James for a top-10 finish while Furyk is 7-2 at William Hill.
You can even have 6-4 with Coral for Furyk to finish in the top 20 and former winner McDowell is 5-2 at William Hill and bet365 for a top-20 finish.
Recommendations
Donald
(16-1, William Hill)
Donald to finish top 10
(5-4, Stan James)
Westwood to finish top 10
(5-4, Stan James)
Furyk ew
(40-1, Ladbrokes)
Furyk to finish top 20
(6-4, Coral)
McDowell to finish top 20
(5-2, William Hill, bet365)
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
Would normally have a decent size punt on a major but puttin to much into the euros. I will have a wee ew on furyk then if i manage to see some action on tv try and catch some value in the in play markets.
Donald is 12/1 with hills and has been since monday
Aaron, I backed him last week and was going with odds comparison sites. Unfortunately odds constantly change so what we quote is a guide.
Haha and its matt kuchar! Can i have your job lol