Rickie Fowler the headline selection for the US Open

Merion Golf Club, East Course, is the venue for the US Open Golf this weekend and has to be one of the greatest named courses on the tour. First the Merion bit makes me think of Maid Marion and Robin Hood. Secondly the name suggests some sort of tribal battle between the east course and the west course. I suspect in the green suburbs of Haverford Township, Pennsylvania, Golf Buggies zoom by at all hours and drive by putting is a real and clear danger. Let us salute the brave men (not women as they are likely not allowed membership) who sacrifice their safety for our enjoyment. Here is hoping nobody gets hurt and that the only drama is that on the course.

Tiger Woods is the 6/1 (ladbrokes) favourite for the US Open in a tournament he has won three times previously. Woods has been on good form on the tour this year winning more than anyone else (four) events. It would be no shock to see the American land the trophy once more though at those prices he looks a little short especially with memories fresh over his disappointing showing at Memorial.

Bookmakers are split as who should be next in the betting with Rory McIlroy (ladbrokes), Matt Kuchar (ladbrokes), Phil Mickelson (youwin), Graeme McDowell (ladbrokes/CORAL) and Adam Scott (ladbrokes) all 25/1 chances. All five command respect with McIlroy and McDowell former champions, Scott winner of the US Masters and Mickelson a multiple major winner. Of these though Kuchar is probably the player in the best form having won at the World Matchplay and then again at Memorial.

Justin Rose at 28/1 (GENERAL), Lee Westwood at 30/1 (GENERAL), Luke Donald at 40/1 (GENERAL) and Sergio Garcia (40/1-paddy Power/BWIN) are also likely to be well supported. Though none of these will be carrying my money.

So just who will be the selection? Well the first recommendation is Rickie Fowler who is a 66/1 (GENERAL) chance. Fowler is one of the few to have experience of playing the course which was the host venue for the 2009 Walker Cup. Fowler won all of his matches that year and though his form has been ordinary the last few weeks his course experience should give him real confidence and 13 of the last 16 major winners have been first time winners. Fowler at this price is an each-way steal especially with BETVICTOR paying out on the top seven.

Another with course experience is Kevin Chappell who reached the third round here when it held the US Amateur Championship in 2005. Chappell has since graduated into the big leagues and arrives in great form after finishing second at the Memorial. His US Open record is also excellent coming in tenth and third on his last two apearances. You can get 100/1 (sportingbet) who pay a ¼ the odds the top 6.

The third and final selection is Robert Garrigus who has missed the last two cuts but before that had three top fourty finishes. What makes Garrigus an interesting selection is that he finished third in the US Open in 2011 in an event that was rain soaked (as this one is expected to be). The player actually ranks third in proximity to the hole from less than 125 yards which will be relevant at this venue. Garrigus can be backed at 220/1 (YOU WIN) for the win and then again at 16/1 (boylesports) for a place in the top ten.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Rickie Fowler to win the US Open, EW 66/1 (BETVICTOR)
SILVER: Kevin Chappell to win the US Open, EW 100/1 (sportingbet)
BRONZE: Robert Garrigus in US OPEN, 220/1 (YOU WIN) to win and 16/1 (boylesports) a place in the top ten.

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12/06/2013     © Frixo 2026