U.S. Open Preview: Why Tiger and Phil Won't Win

I'm sick to my stomach. Sick because nearly every writer for ESPN.com has chosen Phil or Tiger to win the U.S. Open this weekend. Sure, it gets good reads, brings attention and a relative pick, but, please, do some research before predicting. 

Apparently, Gene Wojciechowski hasn't realized that Bethpage Black is an extremely tight course. It takes an accurate driver to win there. Tiger Woods hits just above 60 percent of fairways.  I know Tiger is arguably one of the greatest golfers to play the game, but that's a poor percentage to win at a narrow course.  

Now, I understand that Bethpage is also a long course, and Tiger hits the ball a long way, but if you can't hit fairways, you can't win there. 

Phil Mickelson is even worse than Tiger, barely hitting over half of fairways. On top of that, his wife is undergoing treatment for cancer. (My thoughts and prayers go out to her as should yours.)  Mickelson will have plenty of support in NY, but I just don't think it will be enough to pull out a win.

Another possibility was Padraig Harrington. Now, I love Harrington as much as the next golf fan (the guy tossed me his golf ball, and later, after the round, signed it!), but he's been of his game recently. He's missed the cut in three of his past four PGA events.

Sergio Garcia hasn't played well either this year, and hasn't finished a U.S. Open under par.

Geoff Ogilvy has played consistently well this year, but, like Tiger and Phil, can't keep the ball in the fairway. I'm telling you, that's the number one way to get beat on Bethpage Black.

Zach Johnson has also been having an incredible year and he drives the ball straight.  Too bad he only drives the ball 280 yards.  A short drive like that will definitely make some holes much more difficult; especially the 605-yard par 5 No. 13.  

Steve Stricker has been the same old Stricker playing solid golf.  However, he, too, has a relatively small drive, and he has trouble pocketing eagles.  Those will be key this weekend at Bethpage.

Kenny Perry would be another logical choice, except he's fallen into somewhat of a slump since the Masters. On top of that, he's another inaccurate driver.

Lastly, I'll throw in Rocco Mediate for last year's sake.  The only problem: last year was a fluke. Since his incredible run at last year's open, he's dropped to 145th on the money list.

My pick for this year's Open winner is Jim Furyk. Now, Furyk drives the ball just 275 yards, but he makes up for it with his incredible accuracy and his recent results.  You're probably asking: Why Furyk and not Johnson? Well, Furyk has been hot, although Johnson has been too.  

What I really like about Furyk is his ability to convert birdies.  He averages nearly four birdies per round, which is amazing considering Furyk hits just 64.5 percent of greens in regulation.

Furyk had an incredible weekend at Muirfield Village for the Memorial Tournament finishing second.  He's made 10 of 12 cuts this year, and made the top 10 in six of them. 

Honestly, I don't know what it is.  Furyk hits the ball incredibly straight, and, overall, he's a great player.  Don't get me wrong, Tiger and Phil are incredible as well, but we've seen time and time again those two get into trees, brush, etc. because of inaccurate drives.  That just can't happen at Bethpage...and with Furyk it won't.