The eyes of the golfing world will be latched firmly onto Erin Hills in Wisconsin this week for the second major of the season, the US Open. After a couple of controversial renewals, the United States Golf Association will be hoping that their decision to move their tournament to a brand new venue pays off.
The lead up to the US Open has been dominated by two topics. Will the length of Erin Hills prove farcical (it can stretch to 8,000 yards from the back tees) and will Phil Mickelson be able to make it from his daughter’s high school graduation in California in time to make his late tee time on Thursday?
Who Will Win?
It’s highly unlikely that the USGA are going to set Erin Hills up to play 8,000 yards. They do like to make the US Open a fiendishly difficult test of golf but they’ve got other options than simply maxing out the length.
For a start, the USGA always like to ensure that the rough is penal. One of the criticisms of the PGA Tour is that the lack of rough means players can just whack the ball off the tee without too much concern. That’s not the case at the US Open. There there’s the putting surfaces. The USGA like to make the greens as fast as the wind conditions will allow and they’ll be slick at Erin Hills but the forecast wind could see them slowed down a touch at the weekend.
There’s no doubt that it’s going to take a very well rounded game to win at Erin Hills but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to score well there. The fairways are relatively wide and the firmness of the ground means when you factor in roll we’ll see drives totalling 400 yards. The early reports suggest that the greens are in tip top shape as well so putting may not be as tough as first thought.
When you look at the sort of player that should cope with the test of Erin Hills, it’s hard to see a better fit than Rickie Fowler. The American is right up there with the best players who are yet to get their hands on a major but this could be the time for that to change. He’s a great driver, he’s happy with windy conditions and his short game touch is another bonus. Fowler’s already won this season and can become the seventh straight first time winner of a major at odds of 22/1 with Betfred.
Betting Tip – Rickie Fowler at 22/1 with Betfred
Long Shots, Each Way Tips and Other Bets
Erin Hills is described by the designers as a heartland course, but to many observers is looks very much like an inland links. The vast majority of the land has been untouched and left natural, the wind whips up and the ground is firm. That should all play into the hands of Branden Grace.
The South African has winning form on links courses on the PGA and European Tours and has finished inside the top five in the last two US Opens. With his low ball flight perfect for Erin Hills, Grace offers very good each way value at 40/1 with Coral.
Betting Tip – Brandon Grace at 40/1 with Coral