US Open Golf Betting Preview

Phil Mickelson is favourite to win the US Open this week, playing in his home state of California. He will be looking to overtake Tiger Woods as the world`s number one golfer and he can achieve this if he wins, or if he is second and Tiger finishes outside the top four.

Lefty is 8/1 with Ladbrokes to end Woods` 262-week reign at the top of the rankings and he has won the year`s only Major so far, seeing of Lee Westwood to win the Masters in April. He was then denied only by the outstanding Rory McIlroy at Quail Hollow and looks to be in great shape to win at Pebble Beach.

Tiger Woods, however, will have something to say about that. It is always dangerous to right off arguably the most talented golfer the world has ever seen and the three-time winner of this tournament is 8/1 with most bookmakers to win his first event since returning to the game. After tying for fourth at the Masters, Tiger failed to make the cut at Quail Hollow and flopped at the Memorial Tournament, but if he can get back to his best, and it is a big if, there is no doubt he should win this week.

Punters seem keen to get behind Lee Westwood and it is easy to see why. The world number three was runner-up at the Masters and goes into this tournament on the back of an impressive win in the St. Jude Classic. He is generally available at 12/1 and will definitely fancy his chances.

Rory McIlroy, who turned 21 only two months ago, is 29/1 with Stan James to win his second PGA Tour event. His performance at Quail Hollow shows that he has the talent to compete with golf`s very best, although he will have to improve considerably on his showing last time out in the St. Juse Classsic, where he could manage only to tie for 29th.

Some outsiders worth mentioning include KJ Choi and Ian Poulter, at 66/1 and 80/1 respectively with Ladbrokes. Choi impressed when coming fourth at the Masters and may be a good each-way bet again here, while Poulter, the world number eight, will be hoping to improve in his disappointing spell since winning the Match Play Championship only eight weeks into the season.

The US Open tees off at 3 p.m today UK time.

Complete US Open betting odds at Bookies.com

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