Scottie Scheffler’s extraordinary domination of this year’s PGA tournaments soared to even greater heights last week when he reminded us of his tenacity and consistency, holding off a determined challenge from our selection, Collin Morikawa, to win the Memorial in Dublin. Ohio. Morikawa did us proud, however, as did another of our each-way picks, Ludvig Aberg, who finished 5th. All three of these great players pop up on our list this week, along with a couple of other familiar names and two ‘boom or bust’ rank outsiders.
Pinehurst No.2. Course is a Par-70 parkland set-up that was last used for this tournament ten years ago, when only 3 (yes, three) players broke par! It is famed for its ultra-brutal rough and its undulating greens with steep run-offs. Accuracy off the tee is absolutely vital, as is an inventive fairway-to-green strategy. Once safely on the green, only those who thrive with their putters can stay in contention. Interestingly, 7 of the last eight winners of the U.S. Open had never won a Major before, so we must embrace some Major maidens in our summary.
With all this mind and conscious of the fact that the TV cameras will dwell more lovingly on Tiger and Phil than on our current stars, here are my MAGNIFICENT SEVEN (Name and Current Price) selections for the U.S. Open.
Bets should be placed by 11.45 am on Thursday.
The prices quoted are best available for 8 places and 1/5 odds. P10 is available from Paddypower and P12 from Betfair and Coral, but in light of the extra places, they are also 3-4 points off the market.
XANDER SCHAUFFLE 11/1: The ‘Nearly Man’ finally hurled the monkey off his back with last month’s gritty triumph in the PGA Championship. His confidence will now be sky-high, particularly after a solid 8th placing last week in the Memorial, in his first outing since Valhalla. He has been in the top 15 at the last four renewals of this and ticks every stats box handsomely. Yes, please!
TOMMY FLEETWOOD 33/1: Oh, please, Tommy! We’ve all seen you fall short repeatedly in your quest for that elusive PGA Tour breakthrough. Now is your time! Just dwell on the fact that you’ve secured 3 x top-fives in seven renewals of this epic., The difference this time is that Pinehurst No.2 could have been designed with you in mind. It is so much more suitable for your game than the easier and not-in-your-zone longer courses that you struggled with earlier this year.
LUDVIG ABERG 20/1: What to say? He has dazzled with his play all year and was particularly impressive last week when he held firm to secure 5th place at the Memorial. He ticks each and every one of my stats boxes. This could be lift-off time for the world’s number 6 player.
COLLIN MORIKAYA 14/1: This boy’s on fire. Fantastic recent form aligned with three top-15s in the last 3 renewals of this. As good as it gets! His fabulous overall driving accuracy and putting-average stats make him a must-play.
SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER 3/1: Nudge, nudge; say no more.
NICK DUNLAP 175/1: Who he, I hear you cry? Nick is an extraordinary talent. As the U.S. Amateur Champion last year, he went on to win his first PGA title as a rookie since Mickelson in the Amex Championship in January. Since turning professional afterwards, he has flown high. Watch out!
WILL ZALATORIS 70/1: Hmm. Terrible current form but a wizard in this event, with 2 top finishes in the last four renewals. Worth more than just a look.
BET 5 points to win on SS as an insurance bet and 1 point each-way on all the others. Beware of Hovland after Round 3.
Good Luck – Sandy Lane
PROFIT OR LOSS THIS POST: -11.80
1 pt e/w rest