US Open outsiders

Many punters will be looking at the big names when it comes to majors, either going for someone they know well or because generally, the best do win the biggest tournaments. However, there are a few outside US Open bets who could be worth a very serious look at.

Tim Clark, who can currently be found at 80/1 with most bookmakers, is an efficient and talented golfer. His technical attributes could really suit the short nature of Merion; from tee to green Clark is unerringly accurate and precise, and never afraid to attack pins.

With approaches on eight of the par 4s likely to be between 50-125 yards, he lies 17th in this category on the PGA Tour stats, whilst he is 2nd in Driving Accuracy and 22nd in scrambling - an attribute always needed at any US Open.  

Whilst he has been inconsistent this year, he has recorded three top 10s and finished in a tie for 11th at the Masters. The South African's best finish of the season at this major was in 2005 at Pinehurst, where several of the par 4s bare similar resemblance and distance to what Merion will offer.

Australian Marc Leishman has had a successful year, remarkably in the two biggest tournaments of the season so far. His odds have not dipped below 125/1 with any bookmaker and he could be an intestering each way punt. Results of fourth at the Masters and eighth at The Players show his potential and he will want to prove his worth once more.  

Fredrik Jacobson is one of the bester putters on Tour - currently ranking 22nd in Stokes Gained: Putting and 22nd in Three-Putt Avoidance - and the fact he is at 100s with many bookmakers is incredible. If he can get his irons working then you can certainly trust the big Swede to do the buisness on the greens.

On the other end of the scale is Kevin Chappell. There is no transparency with all the bookmakers; some offering him at 66/1, whilst others as high as 150/1. All that says to me is they simply do not know where to put the maverick 26-year old. The American lies first in approaches from 50-125 yards and 45th in 125-150, whilst his two appearances at US Opens have resulted in two Top 10s (T3 2011, T10 2012). What's more, he finished second in his last outing at Memorial.