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Reactions: U.S. Open predictions Users make their picks for winner at Pebble BeachPosted: Thursday June 15, 2000 04:50 PM
Tiger Woods is once again the favorite to win the U.S. Open, but many CNNSI.com users have a few other golfers in mind for this elusive title. Some see Phil Mickelson earning the trophy to celebrate his 30th birthday and his first Father's Day. Others see Davis Love III or one of a few others winning at Pebble Beach. A collection of some of our users' most interesting predictions follows: After the events of last year's open and Stewart's passing, you can't help but think that it was fait that Payne won his last Open. I am picking Phil Mickelson. I can't think of a better ending than Phil Mickelson celebrating his first Father's Day than with a U.S. Open win and dedicating it to Payne. Who knows, but maybe Phil received a little bit of Payne's spirit on that 18th green at Pinehurst. We will see...
I think Tiger Woods is going to win this year at Pebble Beach. You just can't deny his dramatic comeback a few months back at the Pebble Beach Open.
It's Lefty's year. Mickelson went through the emotional tumble dry on Sunday last year -- he's ready for the challenge this year. Besides, he's too good of a putter to not get a major.
Top 5 finishers will likely include Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and Davis Love III. Tiger will finish at the top of the leader board due his familiarity with the course, determination, and intimidation.
I believe the winner of this year's U.S. Open will be Davis Love III. Love is very hungry to win for the first time in almost two years. He has been very consistent this season, finishing in the top 10 in seven events. He is also in the top 10 on the money list and is currently ranked No. 4 in the world. While everyone will be focusing on Woods possibly winning his first U.S. Open -- as well as Mickelson, Duval, Montgomerie and maybe Garcia -- winning their first major, Love will be able to attack the course and play his game without the usual pressure reserved for a player in the top 5 in the world. He is playing very well right now, contending in almost every tournament he enters and is due to break free with a big win. Love will conquer all this week.
Scott Hoch has the talent and experience to pull out a victory with very difficult U.S. Open conditions. He won't need a two-footer to win like his near miss in the Masters. A solid player who has paid his dues finally brings home a Major Championship.
Vijay Singh is a natural choice after his outstanding performance at the Masters. He has a proven track record among his fellow golf professionals that he conquered the mental strain of any major championship.
It would be very hard not to pick Tiger Woods to win the U.S. Open. He is the best the player in the world by far. There are a group of guys that I think have a chance to win, but they all must play there A-game to beat Tiger. He can have a bad day and still beat anyone out there that is playing well.
My choice this week is going to be David Duval. I know it is hard not to take Tiger, but everyone knows he is the man to beat. I read a stat yesterday that said 7 out of the last 10 winners have been in the top 10 in greens for the week (3 were No. 1). Duval hits a lot of greens. He is hitting the ball great. He just hasn't been very lucky with the weather (Augusta) and on the greens -- nothing is dropping for him. Hopefully this week some will fall.
If I were a gambling man I would put my money on the smooth swinging Ernie Els to capture his third U.S. Open. He not only has the length and control to fight off the nasty wind that is sure to blow at Pebble Beach, but also the power to tame the deep rough. If Ernie´s putter gets hot, Tiger will have to repeat his heroics of months past to catch him. Sorry Tiger, but you will have to wait another year to capture this elusive title.
As well as Tiger Woods has been playing, he has to be the favorite. But I think that it will be Phil Mickelson who breaks through and wins his first of many majors. His accuracy off the tee and awesome short game play well at Pebble Beach. I also think that Phil has gained the mental toughness to withstand the pressures of a Major. I don't think that David Duval has gained enough on the mental side of the game to win, witness last week losing to Dennis Paulsen. He obviously has the talent but needs to get a more killer instinct. I really feel Phil has developed that much more than anyone else on the tour right now -- excluding Tiger and perhaps Hal Sutton.
Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson may be the favorites going in to this year's U.S. Open. However, someone to really watch out for could possibly be Justin Leonard. He has finished second in his last two tournaments, both of which had Heavy Rough. He has a British Open under his belt, which will help if the winds pick up, as well as giving him experience in a major. He has not putted well this past year, until recently after switching to his old putter. He may not hit it long, but he is usually very accurate, and a great iron and wedge player. Length at Pebble is not necessarily needed to win. A Texan, Tom Kite, won the U.S. Open the last time it was held at Pebble, Leonard could succeed Kite as Pebble Beach U.S. Open champion.
Perhaps I am picking with my heart, but I do believe Mike Weir has a legitimate shot at winning this tournament. His progress over the last year and a half has been excellent and I truly believe he can get over the hump this time around and prove himself as one of the world's best.
How can you vote against Tiger Woods? His demonstration display of power and deft touch around the greens, along with the tremendous improvement in putting gives him that rare combination that no other player has today. All the other players, no matter how well they are playing, are looking over their shoulders to see where the Tiger is on the leader board, knowing he will be in contention come Sunday. Hal Sutton may have said he was not afraid at The Players Championship of Tiger's presence but he can never forget the fact that the Tiger is always lurking as the hungry "cat" searching for his next meal. Look for Tiger to catch his next meal at the 2000 U.S. Open shooting 65, 68 over the weekend.
Mike Weir will eat up this coarse - he's accurate and long. He's gonna beat Tiger and Mickelson in a playoff and finally Mike will get all the recognition this future superstar deserves.
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