When is the 2013 US Open

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