2006 US Open

I wait with baited breath to hear the curses, snarls, and yelps of the PGA professionals as they attempt to survive Winged Foot and the 2006 US Open. Personally, I love watching the US Open, 2nd only to the British in terms of favorite professional tournaments, not for the fact I like to see pros card rounds in the 80s, but winning the US Open should be the reward of four rounds of patience, consistent ball-striking, fortuitous advances, and good putting. No one can argue a US Open win isn't well deserved.

Picks: The 2006 US Open has many storylines, including Phil's recent major dominance (oxymoron?) and Tiger's return from his extended layoff. Personally, I can't argue with Tiger, my A1 pick. The courses on which he has won Opens (Pebble, Bethpage) set up much like Winged Foot, and the spring weather in the east has led to clumpy/dense rough that will be a beast to escape.

A2 - remember the storylines leading into Sunday of last year's Open at Pinehurst? The Goosen coronation? The Cinderella-dance of Gore? Who was exclueded? Michael Campbell, the eventual champion. The 2006 lead up seems eerily similar. Between his win and the 2006 Open, I don't think there has ever been a golfer I've more enjoyed learning about/understanding their mentality than M. Campbell. He combines patience/good-nature/early career foibles into a wonderfully balanced personality and a refreshing view on golf and success. He has the game (Top 10s at last year's British and PGA) to repeat.

B - Geoff Ogilvy. Best of the young players on tour. Hits it the length of Super Wal-Mart parking lots, great putting stroke, strenght to escape the rough. I worry if he has the patience for the Open, and could see him faltering after a stretch of high holes, and not recovering. If he doesn't run hot, he is a great pick, but a guy I see winning or shooting 77-78.