early U.S. Open matchups

early U.S. Open matchups Jonathan Byrd -135 vs Lucas Glover These two Clemson teammates play together all the time and it's been Byrd with 2 wins and much consistency that has me on him here. Glover is hit and miss. When he won the US Open at Bethpage he led the Tour in Total Driving, he's nowhere near that now and neither is anyone that currently plays Nike Equipment. Think about it. Robert Allenby -125 vs Rory Sabbatini One guy is a pure ball-striker the other is all over the golf course. Cheap price. Francesco Molinari -110 vs Alvaro Quiros Quiros has never made a cut at the US Open, his long game may help this week but doesn't have the touch around the greens to win this event. F Mol played very well LW in Italy and is a straight hitter off the tee. His game is taylor-made for the US Open. Matteo Manassero +100 vs Paul Casey Manassero will win the U.S. Open one day. He has the type of game to win this event. At 18 years old, technically he possess one of the top swings in the game, very accurate off the tee and into the greens. If you compare what Manassero has done in the past 6 months vs. Casey, you'd think Manassero would be a -170 favorite, but Casey is still ranked higher at 10th and Manassero is 30th in the Official World Rankings and the bookmakers have to protect the name players, the word on Manassero is still inexperience, but we like him here. (don't get me started on World Ranking issue, Tiger is ranked 15th, but should be out of the Top 50!) more matchups and analysis later in the week.

Could only find the first 2 at ABC or 5 Dimes. Hope the other ones go up tomorrow.

Second two are at Greek but not for long surely.

For the past few hours I have been handicapping the 1st round matchups and concentrating on early vs. late tee times, however, the weather is the key. 50-60% chance of rain in the afternoon on Thursday, could be a huge advantage for the late tee times. If you can hit your approach shots into these hard and fast greens when they are wet and softer, I'd say that is worth [B][I]at least [/I][/B]1.5 shots.

I saw that your favorite head case Aaron Scott has Tiger's Caddie Steve Williams on his bag this weekend. Any thoughts there?

Scott played well at the Masters, 2nd, and fires his caddy Tony Navvaro? I roomed with Navarro on the road in 1987, he's a stubborn guy, very vocal, will tell his player what to do and when he stinks, but he's the best caddy I've ever seen and reads greens better than anyone I know other than Tiger. Now Scott picks up Stevie, and I think he got lucky there, because Stevie is a master communicator and will help Scott in different ways. So, I actually like Scott this week with his excellent ball striking, but haven't pulled the trigger on him, because the matchups are tight, as in he's against Sergio and I have both of these guys on my GO ON list.

7010) KJ Choi (winner here 2007) -115 vs Davey Toms. [B]0.75% play[/B] 7011) J Day -135 vs G mac. [B]0.75% play[/B], doubt line comes back. 7014) Poulty +100 vs Pablo Casey. [B]1% play[/B]. 7032) Surfer Charley "Waste Management" Hoffman -115 vs shortknocker Brian Gay. [B]1.5% Play[/B] 7043) Goose -115 vs Jimmy "I'm changing my putting stroke back this week" Furyk. [B]1% play[/B] 7067) R Ishikawa -120 vs S Noh. [B]1% play.[/B] Good Luck

Are these tourney or day one matchups? Thanks

No doubt the experts Alf and Dude weigh in weather, course factors, etc. into their selections. Mine don't have these. Would be grateful for any comments (1) I played Stricker +125 vs. Kuchar. I think this is a very good bet. Certainly not a sure winner. The number is at 5 Dimes and I think anything +110 or more has to be a reasonable bet. Stricker can win this tournament for sure so I like this price. I'm not as convinced Kuchar is ready to win this tournament. (2) Somebody doesn't like YE Yang. He's +140 against Webb Simpson. I bet Yang. It is a pattern to be honest IMO that the Korean golfers get no respect on these lines based on their level of play. I haven't heard Yang's name for a month or two but he has a history of doing well on tough courses and major championships sort of doesn't he? I think his distance off the tee is reasonable. He's pretty strong. I know Simpson is a real up and comer and got a win but is there something here why he would be -160 to beat YE Yang? I'd increase my bet if I could be positive I'm not missing something completely like Yang was missing an arm. (3) I put in a little on Phil to beat Luke Donald at +120. I really don't want to bet against Donald but it just seems tempting with Phil to get him at + odds. I like the track record. He obviously isn't going to be in contention just because he's showing up here but he is a major champion who steps up his game. (4) The Dude has Charley Hoffman at -115 for a 1.5% play. It is worth noting this play is -105 at Pinnacle. I wouldn't give this matchup a 2nd thought if Dude wasn't playing it but I don't think Dude is the only one who thinks Hoffman is a live sleeper in this as in reviewing the tourny I read Hoffman's name mentioned. I've seen him do well in other places. It is interesting that Gay is pretty consistent though. Not bothering to look up the stats but the name "short knocker" Dude gives him is telling me he isn't too long off the tee and I think Hoffman hits it pretty good. It is a long course. I did bet this one as well.

Just finished watching all 5 hours of "Live From" on the Golf Channel, and I've never heard leading into a US Open the players talking this way, not one guy saying, BRUTAL or tough, instead we get, "FAIR" and playable and able to advance it to the green and hard and fast making it possible for anyone to win. [B][I]Is this the US Open or the John Deere Classic? [/I][/B] I put allot of handicapping into the WAY A US OPEN COURSE IS SUPOSSED TO SET UP! Still like my early matchups but will not be as aggressive with many more matchups. the field is tighter now........ For example, I have been waiting patiently to bet Lee Westwood -105 over Luke Donald and Westwood who is long and straight off the tee is the perfect guy to tackle Luke and his erratic driver, but cannot fire if the USGA has decided to worry about losing the golf course or making it that difficult.