2011 US Open Golf Odds: 10 Golfers Who Could Win the Trophy

The 2011 US Open begins tomorrow, and it's hard to remember a time when it was more wide open. At this point, it's unclear whether or not a favorite will live up to expectations, a 40-year-old will tap into his experience or an unknown will rise above everyone.

There are a slew of scenarios that could play out, which makes this US Open one of the most exciting in recent memory. This list could easily be made into 20, possibly even 30.

Let's take a look at 10 golfers who could win the trophy.

K.J. Choi

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BETHESDA, MD - JUNE 14: K.J. Choi of South Korea plays a bunker shot during a practice round prior to the start of the 111th U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club on June 14, 2011 in Bethesda, Maryland. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

K.J. Choi is an under-the-radar over-40 player to watch. He's coming into this tournament red hot, and he's won here before. With five top 10 finishes, it's impossible to ignore his chances of performing well.

Overall, the majors have not been kind to Choi. Even so, a US Open win for the seasoned Choi would be the highlight of his career.

His incredibly straight shot could do wonders for his game at this US Open in particular.

Lee Westwood

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BETHESDA, MD - JUNE 14: Lee Westwood of England hits a shot during a practice round prior to the start of the 111th U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club on June 14, 2011 in Bethesda, Maryland. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

Lee Westwood is the favorite in this tournament, but he doesn't have the hardware to warrant that designation. The field is completely wide open, and those who have won at the US Open previously aren't playing nearly as well as Westwood is.

Westwood's accuracy off the tee could propel him to his first major victory. This course almost seems like it was built for his game, but he will need to be virtually flawless to come away with the trophy.

Ernie Els

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DUBLIN, OH - JUNE 03: Ernie Els of South Africa hits his tee shot on the 14th hole during the second round of the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Insurance at the Muirfield Village Golf Club on June 3, 2011 in Dublin, Ohio. (Photo by Scott H

Ernie Els isn't the golfer he was in the 1990's. While he won the US Open on this course in 1997, the added 300-yards of length from that time has added a new dimension to the course.

While true, Els knows what it takes to win here. The great part about this tournament is that there are a ton of horses in the race with a shot at the trophy. Els isn't the golfer he used to be, but he tends to bring his A-game to the US Open.

How awesome would three side-by-side US Open trophies be in the trophy case? It's not going to be "Easy," but he's got a shot.

Luke Donald

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BETHESDA, MD - JUNE 15: Luke Donald of England hits an approach shot during a practice round prior to the start of the 111th U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club on June 15, 2011 in Bethesda, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

the No. 1 player in the world has to be thrown into the mix, I suppose. He has a lot to prove if he wants to hold his designation as the world's best golfer. The position has become a revolving door since Tiger Woods vacated it.

First and foremost, he's going to have to win a major. Tiger dominated tournaments and lived up to nearly impossible expectations.

Donald doesn't have that sort of pressure, but winning a major would improve his credentials exponentially, going forward.

Phil Mickelson

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BETHESDA, MD - JUNE 14: Phil Mickelson speaks to the media after his practice round prior to the start of the 111th U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club on June 14, 2011 in Bethesda, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Phil Mickelson came in second at the US Open—five times. He's never won the event, but if there was ever such a thing as being due, this would be it.

Mickelson has majors on his resume, and could be America's best chance at winning the trophy. Mickelson is bringing a repertoire of clubs to hit off the tee with, including a two iron. The versatility could be the difference.

Graeme McDowell

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BETHESDA, MD - JUNE 14: Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland plays a bunker shot during a practice round prior to the start of the 111th U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club on June 14, 2011 in Bethesda, Maryland. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

Graeme McDowell won this tournament last year, which goes to show you that on any given year, a member of the field can emerge above the favorites.

As unlikely as his 2010 win was, repeating is going to be even more difficult. He's not playing well whatsoever and the momentum he had from his 2010 win is all but lost.

This would be a great time for him to get on track. Maybe knowing he's won this tournament will give him the confidence boost he needs to compete.

Rory McIlroy

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BETHESDA, MD - JUNE 14: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland waits on a tee box during a practice round prior to the start of the 111th U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club on June 14, 2011 in Bethesda, Maryland. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

Rory McIlroy is coming off a very promising run at the Masters that turned sour and ended in disappointment. He's got the golf game to take this tournament, and enters as one of the favorites to take the whole thing.

Accuracy is key on this course. While the rough may be forgiving, the fairways on this course are not always easy to hit, to say the least. Given the absurd length of the course, McIlroy's iron work could allow him to methodically maintain a decent score throughout the tournament.

Bubba Watson

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BETHESDA, MD - JUNE 13: Bubba Watson watches a shot during a practice round prior to the start of the 111th U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club on June 13, 2011 in Bethesda, Maryland. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

Bubba Watson can really make the ball fly off the tee. Some speculate that this course is deceptively easier than the length suggests. If that ends up being a fallacy, Watson is in good position to literally power his way past the field.

It's hard to imagine a course that features a 523-yard par-4 won't require some raw power at some point. Watson's driving could propel him into the top spot.

Dustin Johnson

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BETHESDA, MD - JUNE 14: Dustin Johnson hits a shot during a practice round prior to the start of the 111th U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club on June 14, 2011 in Bethesda, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Fast greens, narrow fairways and a lot of length? Sounds like Dustin Johnson could have a spectacular run at this tournament.

This course's unique style doesn't fit everyone's game, but it plays right into Johnson's. Whatever he lacks on the green could be nullified by the moisture that is expected to be in the greens come Thursday.

Inevitably, he could avenge last year's collapse if he is able to take full advantage of the course.

Martin Kaymer

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BETHESDA, MD - JUNE 14: Martin Kaymer of Germany waits to play a tee shot during a practice round prior to the start of the 111th U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club on June 14, 2011 in Bethesda, Maryland. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

Martin Kaymer is one of the best players in the world, but enters with 25/1 odds. The underrating undoubtedly comes from his poor showing in the year's first Major at Augusta.

Kaymer will be trying to redeem himself at Congressional. Unlike Bubba Watson, Kaymer will benefit if the naysayers end up being correct, and the course's length ends up being less challenging than advertised.

He's in the same boat as many of the other favorites, in that he doesn't have the credentials that some have in the field and this course doesn't suit his style. Like the others, he's going to hope his play masks his shortcomings.