The bookmakers ain't fooled by all this talk of back pains and spasms from two of the main contenders for the US Open at the Olympic Club in San Francisco this week. How else can you explain Tiger Woods being installed as the undisputed favourite, at 9 to 1, or Ernie Els having a price of 14 to 1 attached to him?
History shows this venue is liable to throw up the unexpected. Jack Fleck won in 1955, and Scott Simpson triumphed in 1987. And Billy Casper beat Arnie Palmer in 1966 in a play-off. Of course, someone could come from the pack this time to cause an upset - and an indication of the quality in the field is reflected in Padraig Harrington's pricing of 200 to 1.
Anyway, this course is suited to those who fade the ball - tough luck on Darren Clarke who has worked studiously to change his game to a draw over the past 18 months - and, as such, Lee Westwood, a 20 to 1 bet, is licking his lips in anticipation.
However, a player with odds of 28 to 1 listed by his name, and someone who knows what it is like to win a major at that, represents good value this week. He is Justin Leonard, the reigning British Open champion, who, although not the longest off the tee, rarely misses a fairway and is an excellent putter. Leonard could be the man to follow this week.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/YVIRIOZQ35EWRPZXR27KGMO6YU.png)