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Tough test ahead at Bethpage

Author: Craig Williams
Date: 15/06/2009

The old adage that the cream always rises to the top is particularly true when it comes to golf's US Open.

World number one Tiger Woods has won three of the last nine stagings of the event.

Woods walked - or perhaps more accurately limped - to the title last year at Torrey Pines after battling to overcome a serious knee injury before edging out the plucky Rocco Mediate in an 18-hole play-off.

Previously, his first US Open title was secured via a record-breaking 12-under-par finishing score at Pebble Beach in 2000.

But perhaps the most telling of Woods' three wins in relation to this week's championship is his success at this year's host venue Bethpage State Park.

Seven years ago he got the better of a stellar chasing pack including Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia and Padraig Harrington to win on the infamous Black Course.

At three-under-par, Woods was the only player to finish the week in red numbers after grinding out four quality rounds over the most fearsome of courses.

Other high-quality recent winners of the event, which is regarded as the toughest on the golfing calendar, include Angel Cabrera (2007), Geoff Ogilvy (2006), Retief Goosen (2001 and 2004) and Jim Furyk.

There is seldom a shock winner of the US Open as tournament organisers, the United States Golf Association, make it their mission to "identify the best golfers in the world".

On several occasions over the years they have been accused of embarrassing the world's best players with courses verging on the unplayable, but the USGA's desire for a worthy winner of their national championship usually sees the cream rising to the top.

This year is likely to be no different as a course which took no prisoners seven years ago has been lengthened by a further 200 yards to 7,426 in total.

However, the USGA has taken some criticism on board when tweaking the layout from 2002 as a less severe first cut of rough has been introduced on some particularly challenging longer holes.

Also the heavily criticised 280-yard drive to even reach the fairway off the tee at the exceptionally long par four tenth hole has been significantly reduced.

That should play into the hands of the shorter more accurate hitters who have often been at a disadvantage before the tournament has even started.

But that's where the good news begins and ends for those with less power as the 525-yard seventh hole will be the longest par four in the history of the US Open.

It's therefore most likely that someone with the ability to bomb the ball off the tee and has a good touch around the infamously tricky greens will lift the trophy come Sunday evening.

A fully-fit Woods is the overwhelming favourite in the online betting markets as he arrives both as defending champion and on the back of an impressive victory at last week's Memorial tournament.

Mickelson will be something of a dark horse as his current form is a mystery following his recent lay-off to be at the side of his ill wife.

The world number two might well be the people's champion this week but Mickelson's often gung-ho style is not particularly well suited to the attritional nature of the US Open.

Others worthy of a mention include current European number one Paul Casey, who has the length off the tee and accuracy with his irons necessary to win this particular Major.

However, it cannot be forgotten that no Briton - or indeed European golfer - has won the US Open since Tony Jacklin in 1970.

Ogilvy too cannot be discounted as he was successful on his last trip to New York State - winning the US Open at Winged Foot in 2006 - and always seems to peak during the biggest events of the year.

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