United States Open Prediction

Well the greatest four days of golf is head. The US Open is were the art of making a bogey is both special and necessary. This week at Pebble Beach will be very beautiful I am sure, unless of course, you are a scorecard. The scorecards will be bleeding squares hoping to survive the 18 round fight against the wind, sun, rain, tigers, lip outs, and worst of all Johnny Miller. Nothing is harsher on the golfer than Johnny Miller commentary. The only thing I have to say to Johnny is: The reason you are in the booth is that you can't putt! Putting is the most import thing as we know. I digress. I am really excited for this US Open for 5 huge reasons. (Prediction to follow).

1. Tiger Woods is around. Where is Tiger going to be? No one can answer that for sure. This is the 10 year anniversary of when he decided that he was going to punish every record at this very golf course and show the world that no one is even close to his golfing prowess. This week could be great or awful, who knows?

2. Lee Westwood. This guy has been painfully close, a lot. The question is want will he do this week. He is the Tiger Woods of letting it fall away. The question is will Westwood continue his best Greg Norman impression or will he be able to break into the winners circle. Last week, he did a good job in the playoff, but can he do it in a major? This should be a good story to watch.

3. Amateurs! The US Open is open to ANYONE that qualifies. That means that even your next door neighbor good sneak into the field on accident. This usually have really great stories and are fun to watch. Hopefully, one of these great stories can make a run at the title.

4. Tom Watson. Basically this guy is popping up on major leaderboards a lot. Watson had that great run at the British Open and opened the Masters with a 67 this year and ended up finishing under par for the week. Watson has won at Pebble Beach before. He hit "The Shot" here that was the chip in from the thick rough on the 17th that helped him hold off Jack Nicklaus in 1982. That was 28 years ago and I still want to see what he can do. This man is incredible.

5. Can someone finish under par? The last time the event was held here in 2000, only one man did. Tiger woods finished -12. Next guy (Ernie Els) was +3. So, it will be close I am sure. And the US Open always has some interesting winning numbers.

So, that is what I will be watching, but who will be holding the trophy? Lucas Glover again? I think not. But, my pick is clear. See point 2. Lee Westwood gets it done. His ball striking is solid and after the win last week, I think he has confidence. All those past failures will help guide him through this one.

~ Hogie