US Open Odds 2012: How Vegas Sees Tournament Playing out

As the U.S. Open begins this weekend, the top golfers in the world look to come out on top even if Vegas does not have them as the favorite.

When the golfers arrive in San Francisco, there will be many headlines. Most of the headlines involve Tiger Woods, but other golfers will try to leave their mark. 

Entering the start of the U.S. Open, Vegas lists Woods as the favorite. The tournament features young stars like defending U.S. Open champion Rory McIlroy and veterans like Jim Furyk looking to make an impact.   

The field (any other golfer) is at 12-1 odds. Will a surprise golfer be able to pull off an upset and come away with a win?  

Can Woods live up to the expectations?

Who can make a run and challenge the favorites?

*Odds are from VegasInsider.com (6/13/2012)

Tiger Woods 6-1

At the top of the list, Tiger Woods will enter as the tournament favorite. The four-time U.S. Open champion is still looking to win his first major since 2008. 

Despite not playing in this tournament a year ago, he always plays well here. Outside of 2006 when he missed the cut, he has not finished lower than sixth place in his last six appearances in the tournament. 

Nobody can forget his performance in 2008 when he won on one leg. Perhaps his greatest win ever, Woods will look to get his career back on track in the same tournament.

Fresh off of tying Jack Nicklaus for second place all-time in career wins, Woods enters the U.S. Open looking to catch Nicklaus in terms of majors. He still needs four majors to tie Nicklaus, but his win at the Memorial Tournament may give him a boost in confidence.

He needs to battle through inconsistent play if he wants to come away with a victory this weekend. Woods seems to play well for a round or two lately and then drops off. Consistency will be the key for him, and he looks like he is starting to figure it out again.

Rory McIlroy 10-1

The defending U.S. Open champion will try to repeat his great performance from a year ago. His eight-stroke victory introduced him to the rest of the world as a future star.

After being named the No. 1 golfer in the world, he lost that title fairly quickly. He had to deal with an injury last season after sitting out for a period of time after the U.S. Open.

Although he won the Honda Classic back in March, he has failed to live up to expectations at majors since last June. Now the No. 2 golfer in the world, he has failed to finish higher than 25th at any major. 

McIlroy still has plenty of time to be the star everyone expects him to be, but a win this weekend would help his career.

Lee Westwood 12-1

A third-place finish here last year has Westwood ready to compete in this tournament. He has never won a major, but he normally finishes near the top in the big tournaments.

With numerous second- or third-place finishes in recent years, he hopes the 2012 U.S. Open will finally result in a major tournament win.

His consistent play lately has him as one of the betting favorites. Time will only tell if he can pull through for a victory, but a high finish would not come as a surprise to anyone.

Luke Donald 12-1

The No. 1 golfer in the world needs to prove he is deserving of the distinction this weekend. In majors, Luke Donald has struggled to put together a good showing. 

Since 2007, he has finished fifth or higher only twice. The top-ranked golfer needs to rebound after a disappointing Masters tournament.

After a battle for the No. 1 ranking, he won the spot back and looks to keep it. His best finish at the U.S. Open is tied for 12th, but that may change by the time this weekend is over.

Phil Mickelson 15-1

With five runner-up finishes at the U.S. Open, Phil Mickelson hopes 2012 will finally be his year to come out on top.

Outside of the Masters, this has been arguably his best major tournament. Although he has won at the PGA Championship before, he consistently plays well at the U.S. Open.

Lefty is always a threat to win a tournament, and this weekend is no different. Now in the Hall of Fame, he hopes to add to his legacy. 

Rickie Fowler 25-1

A relative newcomer to the tour, Rickie Fowler needs to overcome his past failures at the U.S. Open.

In three tries, he has only made the cut one time and finished tied for 60th that year. In 2012, he has not finished high at any tournament after a promising 2011.

He has the ability to be a good golfer, but he needs to have his best showing ever at this year's U.S. Open if he hopes to come away with a win.  

Jim Furyk 30-1

Almost a decade after winning the U.S. Open, Jim Furyk returns to the site where he has had the most success.

In recent years, he has struggled and even missed last year's cut. He spent years trying to get back to winning but has not won another major since 2003.

The U.S. Open is a difficult place for golfers to play, and Furyk will have his hands full. He opened at long odds but has steadily risen to 30-1 odds.

Bubba Watson 40-1

Winning the Masters was impressive, but now, Bubba Watson needs to focus on following it up with an equally good showing.

A fifth-place finish at the U.S. Open in 2007 has him believing he can win this tournament. The world's No. 5 golfer hopes to prove the Masters was no fluke. A win this weekend would help solidify him as one of the world's best golfers.

If he plays the way he did at Augusta, he should finish near the top of the leaderboard. If he returns to his 2011 form, it could be a long weekend for Watson.