2011 U.S. Open Betting Preview- Congressional Country Club
The 2011 US Open kicks-off this Thursday morning with the start of the first of four rounds from Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland. This second Major of the season is often thought of as the most difficult and demanding test of the four. The USGA, which runs this event, is notorious for setting up the course so even par would be considered a good score. The fairways are trimmed tight and surrounded by deep rough and the greens are cut and rolled to remain lightning-fast no matter what the weather conditions are. These factors combine to put a premium on both distance and accuracy as well as a perfect putting stroke to have any chance to win this event.
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Tiger Woods has been the perennial odds-on-favorite for the US Open over the past decade or so, but with him out of the tournament this season due to a leg injury, that honor this year goes to Lee Westwood at 11/1. Westwood is the No.2 ranked player in the world and quickly comes to minds as one of the best, if not the best golfer today to have never won a Major. Hailing from England, he plays primarily on the European Tour, but has appeared in six US events so far this year. Westwood recorded an 11th-place finish in both the Masters in April and the St. Jude Classic this past week. His best effort in this event was a third-place finish at Torrey Pines in 2008.
Luke Donald, another Englishman and the No.1 ranked player in the world will be paired with Westwood for the first two rounds; He is the second favorite to win this week at 14/1. He also spends the majority off his time on the European Tour but has played in nine events in the U.S. this season. Donald started the year off on a strong note with a victory in the Accenture Match Play Championship. He also finished fourth in this year’s Masters and Players Championship and was runner-up in The Heritage. His best career finish in a US Open was a tie for 12th at Winged Foot in 2006. He is listed dead even with Westwood in Bodog’s head-to- head odds between the two at -115 each.
This Saturday, June 11 marks the 143rd running of the Belmont Stakes from Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. This is the third and final race on this season’s Triple Crown schedule and is shaping up as one of the best with a strong field of contenders. The Belmont Stakes is the longest of the three races at a mile and a half, and a true test of stamina and endurance for these three-year old Thoroughbreds.
Long shot Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom and jockey John Velazquez will try to take the next step to becoming racing’s first Triple Crown winner since 1978 when they team up for the 136th running of the Preakness Stakes at historic Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore this Saturday afternoon.
The 136th running of the Preakness Stakes from Pimlico Racetrack in Baltimore, Maryland is scheduled to take place this Saturday, May 21 with post time set for 6:15 p.m. (ET). The race will be broadcast nationally on NBC.
This Thursday the 75th Masters Tournament gets underway from Augusta National Golf Course in Augusta, Georgia. Golf’s first big event of the season features the smallest but most talented field of players of any of the four Major tournaments on the schedule.
