Our golf betting tipsters analyse the field and come up with some top tips ahead of the 114th US Open at Pinehurst No.2 in North Carolina
The second major of the golfing year, the US Open, takes place this week at Pinehurst No.2 in North Carolina.
It promises to be an intriguing contest on a newly revamped golf course, and with Tiger Woods out of the equation through injury and home hope Phil Mickelson struggling desperately for any semblance of real form, the tournament is wide open.
Those hoping to stage a challenge will need to be long off the tee to cope with Pinehurst No.2 near 7,600-yard par-70 layout, and exemplary around the greens to counter the course's notoriously severe crown-shaped green complexes.
As with any US Open, patience will be key. The US Open is an exacting test, with the USGA often having to field questions on whether their tough course set-up has crossed the line into unplayable territory.
Below, Golf Monthly's betting tipsters Nick Bonfield and Tom Clarke each select one favourite, one mid-ranger and one outsider.
Nick's tips:
Adam Scott - 14/1 - various
Adam Scott is one of the best drivers in the game - in terms of both length and accuracy - and his other stats make for encouraging reading. This year on the PGA Tour, he ranks first in the All-Around, third in Total Driving, fifth in Scoring Average and 15th in Strokes Gained: Putting - a formidable combination on any golf course.
Jim Furyk - 45/1 - Skybet
I've had an inkling about Jim Furyk for the last few weeks. The American has built a reputation throughout his career for his ability to grind out scores on the toughest golf courses. He excels in testing conditions - a product of his course management, determination, patience and exemplary short-game.
Victor Dubuisson - 100/1 - various
The Frenchman is a cool character with an excellent temperament, which will stand him in excellent stead on his US Open debut. Pinehurst shares some characteristics with Dove Mountain - where he lost out to Jason Day in the WGC-Accenture Match Play final. Dubuisson has a solid all-round game and he's demonstrated an outstanding short-game over the past year or so.
Tom's Picks
Bubba Watson - 20/1 - Stan James
Anyone who saw Bubba win his second Green Jacket back in April will have to admit that he is the best driver of a golf ball currently in the game. His length, imagination and ability to come into greens 2 or 3 clubs shorter than his opponents gives him an incredible advantage.
Henrik Stenson - 30/1 - Bet Victor
The Swede was incredible at the end of the 2013 season and has started to quietly come back into form with four Top 10s in his last seven worldwide starts. He is another who has ultimate control of his long game and will have a better chance of missing in the right place around the greens.
Miguel Angel Jimenez - 125/1 - Various
Why not? He is in the form of his 50-year-old life, finished 4th at the Masters, has won in Europe this year already and was 5th last week. Could be a really good each way bet with some bookmakers paying 6 places for 1/4 of the odds.
US Open 2014 advised bets
Adam Scott - 5 pts at 12/1 Bubba Watson - 4pts each way at 20/1Jim Furyk - 2pts each way at 40/1 Henrik Stenson - 2.5pts each way at 30/1 Victor Dubuisson - 1pt each way at 100/1 Miguel Angel Jimenez - 1pt each way at 125/1
