Travelers Champs betting preview

Last updated: 23rd June 2009

I don't know about you, but the US Open was so tiring and emotional it feels like it only ended yesterday.

Oh, hang on - it did.

There is a point to that glib opening because, if that's how we feel as television viewers, what must it be like for the competitors themselves?

Any US Open is a brutal test but played over five interrupted days on an undulating and water-logged course, it became a test of endurance that more than one player called "exhausting".

For that reason alone I'm steering clear of anyone who made the cut last week (or earlier this week to be more precise).

That means ignoring the claims of Hunter Mahan, a man who hasn't finished outside the top two here in the last three years, but he was right in the mix at Bethpage Black and played in an emotional final round two-ball with Phil Mickelson.

If he isn't shattered by that experience, I'm Maarten Lafeber.

Stewart Cink is another specialist at River Highlands (with two wins and a second place) but I'll pass on him, too, at the prices.

The favourite whose chances I like best has strong form and a liking for the course that is a little less obvious than Mahan's or Cink's.

Zach Johnson is the man in question and since teeing off in the Texas Open last autumn he has three wins from 20 starts (and has contended in another six of those events).

His missed cut last week in New York doesn't concern me for reasons already discussed but also because he has never played well in the US Open anyway.

He missed the cut here in 2007 but he was third in 2004, shot a second round 63 in 2005 and was solid in 2006.

Had he not made the mistake of getting dehydrated on the Saturday in 2004 he might already be a course winner.

"It's one of the better layouts we play," he said in 2005. "You've got left to rights, you've got right to lefts, you have long holes, you've got short holes. It's one of my favourites."

Add those words to Johnson's ability to cross the winning line ahead of the field and 20/1 will do for me.

For the last two years Steve Marino has been looking like a winner in waiting.

That's a dangerous tag but he has the talent to shed it sooner rather than later and if he does so I suspect it will be on a shorter, par-70 course.

Consider the venues he plays well (Waialae, Colonial, TPC Boston, Harbour Town) and bear in mind Zach Johnson's description of the way River Highlands plays - you need to be able to shape shots and Marino can do it.

He was 13th here in 2007 and we know he is in good form because he lost a play-off at the recent Crowne Plaza Invitational.

That near-miss might be a concern but his response seems mature (even if the language is pure surf-dude): "I was pretty bummed about it for a little bit but not that long. I got over it. It's in the past."

His scoring average for the last two months is second best in the field so I'll add him at 50/1.

This week's team is completed with three lively outsiders.

First up is the mop-haired Michael Letzig who had a ringside seat when Tiger Woods launched his final-round victory-charge at the Memorial event.

He might look like an extra from an episode of The Monkees but Letzig is a decent golfer with a growing reputation.

In his rookie year of 2008 he managed eight top 20 finishes and in recent weeks has started to hint at a breakthrough.

He struggled when playing with Woods but perhaps the experience of seeing a committed winner close-up will be a benefit.

Letzig was 10th here in 2008, helped by a sparkling third round 63, and although he has no Nationwide or PGA win to his name, he was a multi-winner on the Hooters Tour when he graduated in 2006. Take the 100/1.

Next up is Kevin Streelman, who excelled this time last year when jointly holding the first round lead at the US Open in Torrey Pines.

The 2008 rookie went on to have four top ten finishes and very nearly pulled off a stunning victory in The Barclays at Ridgewood during the Fedex Cup play-offs.

On debut here last year he was 142nd after the first round yet added rounds of 63-62-70 to make the top ten.

"I grew up on (courses like this) outside of Chicago," he said afterwards. "It's bent grass and you take big old divots that you've got to replace. I feel good about it."

13th at Las Colinas last month shows he is not lacking in form and 200/1 is big enough for a small interest.

And finally add Chris Riley, whose problem is always the long game but he seems suited to River Highlands because the conditions are reminiscent of the blustery Californian coast he was brought up on.

"This is a good golf course when the wind blows," he said when finishing second in 2003.

Always a fine putter, his flat-stick has been in especially good form in recent weeks - he ranked fifth for Putting Average at Las Colinas and then took fewest putts in the field at Southwind.

On both occasions he started slowly before playing as well as anyone from Friday to Sunday.

I'm willing to give him a shot at 250/1.

Tips:

1.5pt e.w. Zach Johnson at 20/1 (Totesport, Ladbrokes, Skybet 1/4 1,2,3,4,5). Third here in 2004 and 3 wins in 20 starts.

1pt e.w. Steve Marino at 50/1 (Boylesport, SportingBet, Ladbrokes 1/4 1,2,3,4,5). Long game suited by the River Highlands test.

1pt e.w. Michael Letzig e.w. at 100/1 (SportingBet 1/4 1,2,3,4,5). 63 here last year and might be inspired by Tiger.

0.5pt e.w. Kevin Streelman at 200/1 (SportingBet, Ladbrokes 1/4 1,2,3,4,5). Went low in 2008 and loves this style of golf.

0.5pt e.w. Chris Riley e.w. at 250/1 (Boylesport 1/4 1,2,3,4,5). Second in 2004 and the flat-stick is hot.