US Open Golf 2011: Top 10 Best Bets to Win at Congressional
The 2011 U.S. Open is being played at Congressional Country Club, located in our nation's capital. The defending champion is Graeme McDowell, from Northern Ireland.
The U.S. Open, one of the four major championships, is always a difficult course for the world's best golfers. To help you decide who to watch and what to expect, I've made a list of 10 golfers most likely to win it.
10. Zach Johnson
1 of 10
The 2007 Masters Champion has a couple of things going against him entering the tournament. He has yet to win a PGA Tour event this season, although he does have two top-10 finishes so far. Johnson has also never finished better than 45th in any U.S. Open.
The reason he's on this list is because of his accuracy off the tee. If there is one thing that's important in majors, it keeping the ball on the course.
9. Hunter Mahan
2 of 10
Hunter Mahan is one of the great young American golfers in todays game. He most recently finished tied for sixth in The OPEN Championship, but even more impressive is that he's finished in the top 10 in half the events he's played in.
Mahan hits a lot of greens in regulation, so if he can get the putter going he has a good chance to be there on Sunday.
8. Adam Scott
3 of 10
Much has been said about Tiger's caddy Steve Williams being on Scott's bag this weekend, but I think this is good for both parties. Adam Scott, who finished tied for second in this years Masters, is looking for his first career major.
Williams has been there for Tiger in pressure situations, so if Scott can play like he did at Augusta then this might be that extra edge to push him to the top.
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7. Ian Poulter
4 of 10
Ian Poulter has been a bit of a disappointment in PGA Tour events, with only one victory. The majority of his success has come on the European Tour, where he has 11 career victories.
He has not fared well in the U.S. Open either, with his best finish tied for 12th back in 2006.
If Poulter can figure things out, he has the talent to win any tournament he enters.
6. Matt Kuchar
5 of 10
Matt Kuchar finished tied for sixth in last year's U.S. Open, his best finish ever in a major. Kuchar can both drive it straight and hit the green, which is always important in U.S. Opens.
"Kuch" has as good a shot as any in this years tournament.
5. Luke Donald
6 of 10
The worlds No. 1 is playing great golf entering this years U.S. Open. Donald finished tied for fourth in both The OPEN and the Masters, in addition to six other Top-10 finishes.
The Englishman may be the favorite to win it, but the favorite doesn't always win in the majors.
4. Graeme McDowell
7 of 10
Graeme McDowell is the only former winner on this list, and it's only out of respect the way he's playing this year. He hasn't made the cut in his last two majors and his U.S. Open victory is his only on the PGA Tour.
Then again, never count out the reigning champion.
3. Dustin Johnson
8 of 10
Dustin Johnson can crush the ball off the tee. Everybody remembers his final hole in last years P.G.A. Championship, where he grounded his club in what was apparently a bunker.
Johnson has all the tools to become Americas next great golfer, and at age 26 this would be the perfect time to prove it.
2. Martin Kaymer
9 of 10
Martin Kaymer was the beneficiary of Johnson's penalty in last years P.G.A. Championship, as he went on to win it for his first career major. One of only three golfers on this list who have won a major puts him near the top for this years U.S. Open.
The worlds No. 3 is going to have to be aggressive in the early rounds if he wants to be there on Sunday.
1. Rory McIlroy
10 of 10
At age 22, McIlroy has the brightest future of all the golfers on this list. He is ready to make the next step in his golfing career, by winning a major championship.
Just like the rest of the young players, McIlroy is going to have to keep the ball on the golf course if he wants to win.
Rory McIlroy is my pick to win the 111th U.S. Open.
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