May 29, 2013 by downthe18th

US Open 2013 Preview 2

OUR FINAL PREVIEW IS NOW AVAILABLE HERE:

NEW – DownThe18th US Open 2013 Final Preview

Published 29/05/2013

Tournament: US Open 2013

Location: Ardmore, Pennsylvania

Course: Merion Golf Club (East Course)

Distance: 6,996 yards

Current Champion: Webb Simpson

Dates: June 13 – 16

After we published our 1st preview for the US Open a couple of weeks ago, we feel the time is right to release our inital picks. These are guys that if you do fancy an antepost bet you should be seriously looking at. As there are still a couple of tournaments between now and Merion these golfers are subject to change. So be sure to come back here the weekend before the US Open to see our final selections for the week. Our extensive Merion course guide and statistics breakdown for all the fancied players is on our Preview 1 which can be found on the link below.

DownThe18th US Open Preview 1

We have also produced a very detailed breakdown of all tournaments held on courses under 7,100 yards as well as the the last 7 majors held on shorter tracks. This has made for very interesting reading and quite a few players do stand out! We will be releasing these statistics and players over the next few days, so watch this space! – available below

DownThe18th US Open Preview 3

Steve Stricker (50/1 Various)

Stricker – the go-to man for putting right now

Steve is definitely one to look out for at this year’s US Open. It has been well documented his schedule this year is very thin and it is because of his focus on the big tournaments, as well as spending a bit more time with the Stricker family. But we have highlighted how your short game has to be in top shape round Merion and there is not a man in golf right now that you would want over the ball from 100 yards or less than Steve. With age becoming more of a factor for the American and length off the tee perhaps not what it was, he will be doubly focused on gaining his shots around the green. It is also key to mention that his putting is widely regarded as the best in the game with various PGA golfers taking advice from the man himself, including a certain Tiger Woods! Taking into account his statistics and short-course performances, Stricker has a real, real chance.

Last 6 tournaments with course under 7,100 yards

The Open 2012	US Open	Sony Open 2012	The Barclays 2011	Sony Open 2011	Sony Open 2010
T23	T15	T38	T24	T9	3^rd

Crucial statistics needed for Merion

Phil Mickelson (28/1 Various)

Phil will want to bag major number 5 at Merion

Phil needs no introduction, we all know what the man is capable of. Now comfortably in his 40’s, there has been no relenting in his game with his dominant victory at this year’s Waste Management Phoenix Open showing the American still has a lot to offer. His long game perhaps is not what it was but we can assure you, put an iron in his hands and expect him to get up and down. Phil has that touch and imagination around the greens to consistently get it inside 6 feet, which will be absolutely vital at Merion. And but for a wayward tee shot in the 3^rd round of the Wells Fargo a few weeks back, Phil would have been celebrating victory number 2 of 2013. A tournament in which his short game really came to the fore. But with 3 Masters titles and one PGA, Phil will be itching to add to his major collection with victory at Merion. And with Tiger being as dominant as he is, Phil’s odds will be very inviting in the run up to the event. You can see from his statistics the kind of form he is in!

Last 6 tournaments with course under 7,100 yards

Pebble Beach 2013	Humana Challenge 2013	The Open 2012	US Open 2012	Pebble Beach 2012	Humana Challenge 2012
T60	T37	MC	T65	1^st	T49

Crucial statistics needed for Merion

Brandt Snedeker (28/1 BetVictor)

Only a matter of time before Snedeker bags his 1st major

Well here we are again, talking about one of our favourite golfers to win a major. We were inconsolable when we decided against backing Sneds for the Masters (and then seeing him challenging against our own Adam Scott) but we felt he hadn’t fully recovered from a wrist injury and we knew that in just over 2 months, a tailor-made course would be awaiting his presence at the US Open. With the short nature of Merion, there are few better than the American, whose game relies on his pinpoint accuracy and razor-sharp putting. He has also recorded two top 10s at US Opens and his form is once again on the rise, after another top 10 at The Players. If Sneds is going to win his first major soon, this will be the perfect one.

Last 6 tournaments with course under 7,100 yards

RBC Heritage 2013*	Pebble Beach 2013	Humana Challenge 2013	RBC Canadian Open 2012	The Open 2012	Humana Challenge 2012
T59	1^st	T23	T34	T3	T8

Crucial statistics needed for Merion

Graeme McDowell (33/1 Coral)

G Mac looks very dangerous for Merion

McDowell has had a very odd season, recording some impressive performances (T3 WGC Caddilac, 1^st RBC Heritage and 1^st Volvo World Matchplay) but also showing his inconsistency by missing several cuts. (The Masters, BMW PGA Championship and The Players) Yet when it comes to the US Open, an on fire McDowell could really challenge for the title. His superb accuracy tee to green and scrambling is the thing of legend and if there was ever a course that will suit the former champion, it is Merion – grinding, difficult and a challenge = McDowell. Plus, his performances on short courses in recent times is nothing short of outstanding.

Last 6 tournaments with course under 7,100 yards

RBC Heritage 2013*	World Challenge 2012	The Open 2012	US Open 2012	The McGladrey Classic 2011	Andalucia Masters 2011
1^st	1^st	T5	T2	MC	54

Crucial statistics needed for Merion

Matt Kuchar (40/1 WillHill)

Kuchar is another who surely has to win a major

Kuchar is one of the elite players in world golf who has yet to win a major. He has won the Players and WGC Match play, but not yet found the formula in one of the big four. He has recorded 3 top 10s in his last 5 major appearances and is ever edging closer to that elusive win. So, when it comes to the US Open and a short course like Merion, Kuchar will definitely be up there come the Sunday. He has a technical game to compete on difficult courses and his approach play from the sort of distances that he will have are up there with the best in the game. In and around the greens there are few better and you would always trust Kooch with the short stick. If he was going to win one this year, this is it

Last 6 tournaments with course under 7,100 yards

RBC Heritage 2013*	Humana Challenge 2013	Sony Open 2013	The Open 2012	US Open 2012	RBC Heritage 2012
T35	T16	T5	T9	T27	T44

Crucial statistics needed for Merion

Tim Clark (100/1 WillHill)

Can a another belly putter win a major?

There are not many outsiders in the ante post market this year, with most falling short of the triple figure mark. However, one of our favourite South Africans is at a stunning price considering his technical attributes that could really suit Merion. From tee to green Clark is unerringly accurate and precise, never afraid to attack pins, making up for his lack of distance. Around the greens he has a great touch and is trustworthy with the putter. He did finish T3 back in 2005 and his last two major appearances have both ended T11. We can really see an upset happening here.

Last 6 tournaments with course under 7,100 yards

RBC Heritage 2013*	Pebble Beach 2013	Humana Challenge 2013	Sony Open 2013	Nelson Mandela Champs 2012	RBC Canadian Open 2012
T24	T46	MC	2^nd	T4	T15

Crucial statistics needed for Merion

Zach Johnson (100/1 Various)

Zach has one of the best short games on tour

Zach has been slowly but surely improving this year and will definitely be peaking at just the right time for the US Open. We all know Zach is not the longest off the tee (Although he has been bombing it relatively this year) and has always relied on his inch perfect short game to get him by. 9 PGA Tour titles including a Masters victory would suggest he does it very well! Zach’s eyes will have lit up when he saw where the US Open was being held as he thrives off short tracks. Just like Mickelson and Stricker, his game from 100 yards or less is outrageous so he will enjoy pretty much all of the holes at Merion. He will be sleeping very closely with that pitching wedge. Perhaps the least inviting short-course form and statistics of our lot, but keep an eye on him over the next couple of weeks and watch his short game! An outright 3^rd place last week shows how well he’s striking the ball right now.

Last 6 tournaments with course under 7,100 yards

RBC Heritage 2013*	Humana Challenge 2013	Sony Open 2013	The Open 2012	Travellers Champs 2012	U.S Open 2012
T48	T23	MC	T9	T64	T41

Crucial statistics needed for Merion

*RBC Heritage – course is 7,101 yards

May 18, 2013 by downthe18th

US Open 2013 Preview 1

OUR FINAL PREVIEW IS NOW AVAILABLE HERE:

NEW – DownThe18th US Open 2013 Final Preview

Published 18/05/2013

Tournament: US Open 2013

Location: Ardmore, Pennsylvania

Course: Merion Golf Club (East Course)

Distance: 6,996 yards

Current Champion: Webb Simpson

Dates: June 13 – 16

You can check out our 2nd preview + our initial picks here –

DownThe18th Preview 2

Preview 3 is also available here: DownThe18th Preview 3

The second major of 2013 is only 4 weeks away and as we did with The Masters, we have decided to publish the ‘1-month’ preview.

This years US Open will be played at Merion Golf Club (East course) in Philadelphia and for the first time since 2004, the distance will be under 7,000 yards, making it a very different challenge for all the players.

16th at Merion

The average driving distance on tour this year is 290 yards, therefore we will do a calculation of what yardage could potentially be left from the average drive on the par 4s.

Here is a run through of the 18 holes –

No. 1 – Par 4 – 350 yards – 60 yards left
No. 2 – Par 5 – 556 yards
No. 3 – Par 3 – 256 yards
No. 4 – Par 5 – 628 yards
No. 5 – Par 4 – 504 yards – 214 yards left
No. 6 – Par 4 – 487 yards – 197 yards left
No. 7 – Par 4 – 360 yards – 70 yards left
No. 8 – Par 4 – 359 yards – 69 yards left
No. 9 – Par 3 – 236 yards
Out – Par 36 – 3,736 yards
No. 10 – Par 4 – 303 yards – 13 yards left
No. 11 – Par 4 – 367 yards – 77 yards left
No. 12 – Par 4 – 403 yards – 113 yards left
No. 13 – Par 3 – 115 yards
No. 14 – Par 4 – 464 yards – 174 yards left
No. 15 – Par 4 – 411 yards – 121 yards left
No. 16 – Par 4 – 430 yards – 140 yards left
No. 17 – Par 3 – 246 yards
No. 18 – Par 4 – 521 yards – 231 yards left
In – Par 34 – 3,260 yards
Total – Par 70 – 6,996 yards

From this you can ascertain that the key areas will be approach shots inside 100 yards and between 125-150 yards. (approx.) Basically, the golfer who is solid with a short iron will prosper at Merion.

The course itself has very tight fairways, so accuracy off the tee is arguably the most crucial asset to have. Accuracy will also be vital when going for the green with hazards surrounding pretty much every hole, bringing into play proximity to the pin. One miscalculation can be the difference between birdie and bogey – not to mention the undulating greens which will play consistently hard throughout the week. As always the short stick gurus will end up near the top of the leaderboard come Sunday on these tough greens.

It is likely every player will miss several greens throughout the four days, meaning anyone who can scramble will give themselves a chance as well.

After doing more extensive research, we found and calculated several trends that past US winners have had – and here they are.

17 of the last 18 U.S. Open winners had made at least two previous U.S. Open starts.

41 of the last 43 U.S. Open winners had a top-10 finish on the PGA Tour that year.

The past 9 U.S. Open winners made the cut in the previous year’s British Open.

16 of the past 19 U.S. Open winners had a previous top-14 U.S. Open finish.

8 of the last 11 US Open champions made the cut at that years Masters

Therefore, we have created a table of the 19 golfers who met the above criteria and have included what we feel will be the key stats for the week. (Even though Jason Day, Henrik Stenson, Ryan Moore and Robert Garrigus did not play in the Open and Geoff Ogilvy did not play in the Masters it seemed rather unfair to exclude them because they have all had a top 10 US Open finish in recent years.)

We have also researched all the tournament stats we could find (7/11) since 2012 that played under 7,100 yards, which gave for some interesting reading.

The winner of these 7 tournaments under 7,100 yards has on average been 14^th in driving accuracy. (So we will be looking at the top 30 in this category)

The winner of these 7 tournaments under 7,100 yards has on average been 10^th in GIR. (So we will be looking at the top 40 in this category).

The winner of these 7 tournaments under 7,100 yards has on average been 16^th in strokes gained putting. (So we will be looking at the top 40 in this category).

So, with all of this in mind, what are we actually looking for?

Top 30 driving accuracy
Top 40 GIR
Top 40 strokes gained putting
Top 50 ball striking (computed by totaling a player’s rank in both total driving and GIR)
Top 40 approach 125-150 yards
Top 40 approach inside 100 yards
Top 30 proximity to the hole
Top 30 scoring average
Top 30 sand save %
Top 30 scrambling
Top 30 strokes gained putting
Top 30 putts per round

Anyone who meets the above criteria we will highlight their stats in green.

As you can see, one of our favourite players Brandt Snedeker is the perfect fit as he ticks 10 out of the 11 categories. You can currently get him at 25/1 with various bookmakers if you are interested in a cheeky ante post bet.