2009 U.S. Open Preview


by Erik Planer
Erik Planer
June 15th, 2009 Share/Bookmark Beat the Expert
(2 Comments)

 

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AimPoint PGA Tour Picks

2009 U.S. Open AimPoint PGA Tour Fantasy Golf Picks

Fantasy Golf Picks

I’m giving myself points for picking winners.  Hopefully my picks can help you win your fantasy golf league this season.  My goal is to get to 111 points for the season, or the equivlant of picking a Top 3 finisher or better each week.

Winner = 10 points

2nd Place = 5 points

3rd Place = 3 points

Top 10 = 1 point

2009 Fantasy Golf Picks Total:  49 Points

2009 Fantasy Golf Picks Weekly Average:  2.23 Points

Last week: 

Sometimes I wonder how much of a Phil homer I really am.  Sure he’s my favorite golfer but I’d like to think I pick him when he’s got a shot to win, except I always think he can win.  After watching his play this weekend I’m going to go against my heart and you won’t be seeing his name in my U.S. Open picks.  His game right now does not appear worthy for Beth Page.

Another week with no points as Phil and Villegas did not impress.  Defending champion Leonard shot a dismal +6 in round one and missed the cut for just the third time in eleven starts in Memphis.

This week: 

Summer is just around the corner and the PGA season is just starting to get good.  With Brian Gay’s victory last weekend, there are now five golfers on tour with two wins in 2009.  Can you name the other four?* 

The rest of the golf world has caught up some while Tiger was away.  When you consider that Tiger (who was recently “slumping” with only one win and five straight Top 10s) may be just starting to figure out his adjusted swing, we may have another epic U.S. Open on the horizon.  Think about it.  Tiger has not been as intimidating on Sunday’s as in years past (see Players Championship or Quail Hollow),  so the door might be open for someone to step up and beat Tiger on the lead……on a Sunday………….at a major.  I would like to see it at least once in my lifetime.

1. Tiger Woods

That said, if Tiger gets out to an early lead this thing may be over before it’s over.  The last time the U.S. Open was at Beth Page Black in 2002, Tiger shot a R1 67 and never looked back, winning by three shots.  The last few years Tiger has gotten off to slow starts in majors only to charge back on the weekend.  Since 2005 El Tigre has only finished outside of the Top 10 in a major twice, a missed cut in 2006 at the U.S. Open and T12 at the 2007 Open Championship.  We all remember last year’s Open at Torrey Pines, one of the best ever.  So how could Tiger top 2008?  How about coming back from a four shot dececit on Sunday?  Tiger still has yet to win a major when trailing after 54 holes.  Whatever he has in store for us this weekend, I just can’t imagine a scenario where he finishes outside the Top 10, even if he hurts his knee.

 2. Tim Clark

To say Clark is close is an understatement.  He was looking his first career PGA Tour victory in the eyes just a few weeks back at Colonial, only to have his glance repelled  (the phrase may look weird now, but very well could soon become a popular sports cliche).  Nothing would be more rewarding for Clark then redemption at Beth Page.  He did not play here in 2002, but does have three Top 20s in the U.S. Open since 2003.  As long as he keeps knocking on the door, it’s bound to open.  This course requires patience, fairways and greens.  Currently 24th in GIR, if Timmy can stay near the top of the field in GIR this weekend he will fair very well.

3. David Toms

Toms is on fire.  He’s coming off a T2 last weekend and now has six straight rounds in the 60s, including a 65 last Sunday.  Already a major winner, Toms finished T45 at Beth Page in 2002 and has five Top 20 finishes at the U.S. Open this decade.  He’ll need to get off to a good start but if he does he has the experience to hang on when the conditions get nasty on Saturday and Sunday.   Don’t be suprised to see him at the top of the Leaderboard in the early going.

Sleepers:  Ian Poulter, Dustin Johnson

I should disclose that I will be placing a few bets myself this week.  I’ve been playing around with this awesome Golf Predictor the last few days and have found some super value bets in Poulter (66-1) and Dustin Johnson (125-1).  Both are longshots but I expect them to play well.  A few good bounces in their favor and who knows.

I would like to wish everyone a Happy U.S. Open Sunday!  I will be glued to the TV all week long.

*ZJ, Mickelson, Ogilvy, Woods

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2 Responses to “2009 U.S. Open Preview”

  1. Rotoff Golf » Blog Archive » 2009 Wyndham Championship Preview Says:

    [...] another major sleeper in Yang that was not on many people’s radar (just like Glover at the U.S. Open).  Very [...]

  2. Mia Harris Says:

    playing golf has been the past time of my grandfather, he loves to play golf every week.-~:

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