Mickelson tops the list of favorites at this year's Open

By John Rohde

Published: June 14, 2006

Some favorites will double as sentimental favorites for this week's U.S. Open at Winged Foot.

Tiger Woods probably leads the pack in both categories.

Woods hasn't played competitive golf since the Masters nine weeks ago and the passing of his father May 3. But Woods' ungodly skill and competitiveness still surpass all others.

Handicapping this week's 156-player field:

The picks
1. Phil Mickelson: Once 0-for-46 in major championships, he has won three of the past nine and two straight. Odds: 3-1.

2. Tiger Woods: Woods' uncanny focus is the envy of all. But it will be incredibly difficult to zoom in under these current circumstances, particularly on Father's Day. Odds: 4-1.

3. Retief Goosen: Won the 2001 U.S. Open at Southern Hills, added another title in 2004 and could have easily won last year. Odds: 5-1.

4. Vijay Singh: Won last week's tournament at Westchester, which is short and tight. This week's track is longer and tighter. If his putter cooperates, he'll claim his fourth major. Odds: 6-1.

5. Adam Scott: He's long, pretty straight, finds the green, and leads the tour in all-around stats and scoring average (69.17). Odds: 7-1

6. Jim Furyk: He has become somewhat of an obligatory pick at every U.S. Open, simply because his overall game offers a terrific recipe for success. Odds: 8-1.

7. Ernie Els: If he can figure out his putter, Els could become a three-time winner of this event. He's certainly long enough, straight enough and creative enough. Odds: 10-1.

8. Luke Donald: Due for a major breakthrough. Terrific accuracy off the tee, solid on the greens and out of the sand. Lack of length could be tough to overcome. Odds: 12-1.

9. David Howell: This is the best players on the European Tour. He leads in stroke average, is third in putting and won his last start overseas. Odds: 12-1.

10. Arron Oberholser: Tied for ninth last year in his first U.S. Open. Has quickly become a major player since joining the tour three years ago. Odds: 15-1.

Sentimental favorites
1. Tadd Fujikawa: He is the youngest player in the field at age 15. Turns out Michelle Wie wasn't the Honolulu teenager who qualified for the Open.

2. Fred Couples: Seems like everybody loves Freddie. We're all envious of his velvet swing, but we wince on his short putts -- including Couples himself.

3. Sergio Garcia: Chicks dig him, and the long ball he hits. Has been battling back problems lately. If healthy, he could threaten for his first major.

4. Camilo Villegas: Chicks also dig him, and the long ball he hits. Truthfully, some guys are lured to him, too -- not that there's anything wrong with that.

5. Michael Campbell: The defending champion, this New Zealander certainly won fans over with his impressive win last year. Not playing well as of late.

6. Rocco Mediate: Tied for sixth in last year's U. S. Open and placed fourth in 2001 at Southern Hills. He's a likeable, upbeat guy.

7. Peter Jacobsen: Got into this year's tournament by finishing in the top 15 in last year's Open at Pinehurst. He's also a crowd favorite on the Champions Tour.

8. Tom Lehman: This year's Ryder Cup captain is still a threat to compete as a team member (19th in Cup points), especially with a high finish this week.

9. Davis Love III: Playing on the same course where he won the 1997 PGA Championship. It's hard to believe DL3 has won only one major championship.

10. Andrew Svoboda: Four-time Winged Foot club champion (1999-2002). A member who also served as a caddie starting at age 10. This year's Jason Gore?

Top sentimental picks who failed to qualify: Michelle Wie, John Daly, Jason Gore, Billy Andrade, Aaron Baddeley, Bubba Watson.

Who's the best player to...
The best-player-to-never-win-a-major label is a half-compliment, half-insult.

You are the best golfer to never have achieved.

Uh, congratulations?

Ever since Phil Mickelson ended his 0-for-46 major drought by winning the 2004 Masters, critics have passed the BPTNWAM albatross to various players.

Some have proclaimed Sergio Garcia the current titleholder, which is misguided considering the kid is just 26 years old and has 30 major starts. Ditto for Adam Scott, who is 25 and 0-for-20, and former Oklahoma State stud Charles Howell III, who is 25 and 0-for-18.

Jay Haas (0-for-83), Peter Jacobsen (0-for-55), Loren Roberts (0-for-46) and Bruce Lietzke (0-for-43) went 0-fer on the PGA Tour and eventually won majors on the Champions Tour.

BPTNWAM rankings
1. Colin Montgomerie

2. Darren Clarke

3. Padraig Harrington

4. Brad Faxon

7. Sergio Garcia

10. Jesper Parnevik

Major droughts
1. Scott Hoch: 0-for-69

2. Brad Faxon: 0-for-67