.

A course for thoroughbred horses

U.S.

Open picks

   Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson and Tiger Woods have plenty in common. Each has dominated golf during his era. Each has had plenty of major championship success. And each has a U.S. Open title from the legendary Pebble Beach Golf Links on his resume.
   There’s just something special about an Open at Pebble.
   Going back to 1972 when Nicklaus hit his infamous one-iron off the flagstick at No. 17 to

clinch his title or 1982 when Watson chipped in on the same hole to pull in front of the Golden Bear on the way to the Kansas Citian’s only Open championship or 2000 when Woods put together one of the most dominant performances in major golf history, romping to a 15-stroke victory – Pebble U.S. Open Championships are almost mythical.
   The 2010 version has plenty of hope for drama in the fact there really isn’t a clear-cut favorite. Woods is still working his way through and back from off-course issues and hasn’t challenged in any of the tournaments since his return. Phil Mickelson appears to be a leading contender, coming off his Masters victory, challenging Woods for World No. 1 and playing in another Open in his home state. And Euros like Lee Westwood and Rory McIlroy appear poised to break a long drought in the event for golfers from that part of the world…
   Our panel of experts feels strong about Mickelson and Westwood -- and a few others -- so let the picks begin…

   Bryan Norton, 2009 KGA Senior Player of the Year: Pick: McIlroy “…the young Irish star. I also picked him for the Masters and you saw how that went (missed cut)! He played great in the Wachovia and also was top 10 last year in the Open.”
   Dark horse: Mickelson. “If you asked me who I thought would finish second, he would be the odds on favorite! He always seems a bit star-crossed in this event but you have to figure he will be there with a shot to win on Sunday.”

   Cary Cozby, Wichita Country Club PGA professional/CEO: Pick: Mickelson “Great history at Pebble Beach, in California and five runner ups…think it is his time…”
   Dark horse: “Hunter Mahan… (not sure he’s a dark horse)…seems like he could be a superstar!”

   Casey Old, Kansas Golf Association director of rules & competitions: Pick: Mickelson “Love his game and his fast start in 2010 with the Masters win. The crowd will be behind him at Pebble Beach in his home state.”

   Conrad Roberts, Kansas Four-Ball champion and former KU golfer: Pick: Westwood “Lee has unfortunately earned the title ‘best player to not win a major,’ but I think his recent form and vast experience will carry him to victory and a well-deserved first major.
   Dark horse: McIlroy “Rory has also been showing great form lately and the only reason he is a dark horse is because he does not have the experience Lee has. However, young nerves and aggressive play might be the right combination for Rory to capture his first Open trophy.”

   Dave Henson, Flint Hills National PGA professional/director of golf: Pick: Mickelson “My Mickelson pick came through for the Masters. I should have followed through by going to Vegas. Now I’ve got to concentrate on the U.S. Open. I’m going to ride Mickelson through the U.S. Open. I think he’s going to have a great year. He’s my favorite.”
   Dark horse: “Rory Mcllroy who is also due to win a big one.”

   Jack Simpson, KGA president: Pick: Mickelson “Phil is older, wiser and has the best short game on Tour. If he can get the putter going, he'll be tough to beat.”
   Dark horse: “My ‘dark horse’ is Dustin Johnson, just like my Masters pick. He is scary long, generally straight and has had great success at Pebble Beach.”

   Keaton Hilst, KGA’s USGA Boatwright intern: Pick: Westwood “Already has a high finish at the Players this year. He seems to play his best in big events, and he’s been close a lot the last few years. It’s finally his time to knock the door down.”
   Dark horse: “Adam Scott. He’s fallen off the radar a bit in the last few years, but he got back in the winners circle at the Valero Texas Open this year. It looks like he may be ready to start playing well again and contend in a big one.”

   Kim Richey, KGA executive director: Pick: Westwood “This should be a really fun U.S. Open to watch. The weather will be much better than last year (even though fog can cause delays in Monterey – it did in 2000!). The golf course will be more prone to lower scores and many of the players have a lot of experience with Pebble Beach. Tiger…won’t win this year. Is this the time that Lee Westwood finally breaks through? I think it is. He’s my pick.”
   Dark horse: “For a dark horse, how about Hunter Mahan?”

   Mark Elliott, WIBW sports broadcaster and 2008 Kansas Four-Ball Masters Division winner: Pick: Woods, Mickelson “I am going to go way out on a limb and say the U.S. Open will come down to a shoot out between the world’s number one and two players. Tiger is getting better and could use a win, plus he dominated the last time this was at Pebble Beach. Phil feels good about where his game is and wouldn’t mind taking the first two majors of the year!”
   Dark horse: Zach Johnson “My dark horse is former Drake Bulldog, Zach Johnson. Zach will keep the ball in play and can really get hot with his putter like he did at Colonial.”

   Matt Ewald, 2009 Kansas Amateur champion: Pick: Woods “It is too hard not to pick a guy that won by 15 shots the last time Pebble held the U.S. Open.”
   Dark horse: Angel Cabrera “He tends to thrive in the heat and step up at the right time during the Open.”

   Mike Grosdidier, 2008 KGA Senior Player of the Year and KGA director: Pick: Mickelson “You really are required to pick Phil. This is his home state, plus coming off a win at the Masters and he has been pointing to the U.S. Open. The crowd will really be in his corner and he plays well under those conditions.”
   Dark horse: “As a dark horse I really like Lee Westwood, hitting it well as always, it is his time. No one has played better than Lee recently in the Majors.”

   Phil Miller, Kansas Golf Foundation executive director: Pick: Ernie Els “I'm going with Ernie Els. We know he can play the course (finished T2 in 2000) and his putting has really come around, which he'll need at Pebble Beach.”
   Dark horse: “My dark horse is Matt Kuchar. His form has been good this year and maybe this will be his breakout year.”

   Rusty Hilst, KGA championship administrator and longtime Hutchinson High golf coach: Pick: Mickelson “When you look at great records at Pebble Beach, you think of Tiger and Phil. I have a feeling Tiger will play well, but Mickelson wins his second major in a row.”
   Dark horse: “Rory McIlroy. If he can shoot 62 at Quail Hollow, he can win a U.S. Open.”

   Todd Bohn, superintendent at The Golf Club at Creekmoor in Raymore, Mo., site of the KGA’s 2009 Senior Team Championship: Pick: Mickelson “He is playing very well right now and he has had a lot of success at Pebble Beach in the past. I think his game and shot shape set up well for Pebble.”
   Dark horse: “Dustin Johnson has been hovering around the top of the leader boards at majors a lot and he is long and accurate. He is a past winner at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am so I think he is primed to break through and have a great weekend in Monterey.”

   Tyler Cummins, KGA junior golf manager: Pick: Mike Weir/Luke Donald “I am in favor of anyone who is known as a great putter on Tour. My first pick would be Mike Weir, because he’s a past major champion who hits the ball straight off the tee and knows how to win. My second choice would be Luke Donald. Not only is he ranked fifth in putts per round this year on Tour, but in my opinion Pebble Beach has a favorable course setup that really helps Euros.”