US Open Form Guide

08	07	06	05	04	03	02	01	00	99
MC	MC	26	-	-	-	-	-	-	-

The Dubai-based Stenson goes into the event sixth in the world rankings after his quite brilliant performance at Sawgrass where he captured the Players Championship - the unofficial 'fifth' major - by four shots after an imperious final round 66. The next target is a bone fide major and the signs are certainly encouraging. Last year he closed out his campaign in the majors with a third place in the Open Championship and a fourth in the USPGA so the big-hitting Swede has put down the foundations. He's also beaten the best in the world when capturing the Accenture Match Play Championship in 2007 and behind those sunglasses lies a very cool customer in the heat of battle. His first US Open outing produced a decent tied 26th at nearby Winged Foot in 2006 but he's missed the cut for the last two years which isn't ideal. However, he represents one of Europea's best hopes of claiming victory and his power off the tee will stand him in good stead at Bethpage Black. - surpassing Sweden's previous best when Jesper Parnevik rose to seventh in 2000 - but is now down in 14th. His dramatic rise came on the back of beating a world class field at the Dubai Desert Classic in February 2007 and then the following week claiming victory at the Accenture World Matchplay - just the second European to win a World Golf Championship event. The 32-year-old has not won since the Accenture but has had plenty of near misses and is currently third in the Order of Merit. But his record in the majors does not inspire confidence. He has never had a top 10 and a tie for 17th at this years Masters is his best finish to date. He missed the cut in three of the four majors last year including at the US Open. But as he proved at the start of last year, when he gets hot he is capable of anything and this tournament has developed a habit of producing first-time major winners in recent years.