Leftie to make amends

Last season's US Open at Mamaroneck in New York is remembered for who didn't win rather than the eventual champion Aussie Geoff Ogilvy as two stars of the game resorted to weekend hackers as the pressure built on the final day. Holding a two-shot lead with three holes to play the then Masters Champion Phil Mickelson looked to be heading for further glory before he finished bogey, par, double bogey to tie equal second with perpetual bridesmaid Colin Montgomerie. Both Mickelson and Monty needed just a par at the last to be crowned champion but neither man could do it with the Scot also double bogeying the hole from an ideal spot on the fairway.This year's competition at Oakmont Golf Course in Pennsylvania which start on June 14 will again be a huge test for the competitors - slick greens, tight fairways and punishing rough will try even the most patient of players and at over 2,200 yards and a par of 70 if you haven't brought your 'A' game and a huge slice of luck then you're likely to be heading home come Friday night. So the question is who can hit it a mile, putt like a dream and has the patience to embarrass Mother Theresa. The first name that springs to mind is of course World No 1 Tiger Woods, but recent putting woes and thoughts fixed on becoming a father as his wife is expecting their first child in mid-July, then favour lies elsewhere. Twice former winner Retief Goosen had a good Masters and is a champion on the greens but he has swing problems and can be discounted and it may well still be too early for his compatriot Ernie Els to recapture his best form as he continues his comeback from injury. Vijay Singh seems to be missing the winning touch that he held a few years back and Adam Scott, although showing form and promise, seems to go backwards at the Majors.Of the European challenge Luke Donald may be too short off the tee and Padraig Harrington too inconsistent over the four rounds to mount a true challenge. Sergio Garcia remains an enigma who surely will one day strike gold but has no form to speak of and Henrik Stenson seems to be happy with his early season wins and has gone off the boil.It leaves me leaning towards Mickelson. He has changed his coach - Butch Harmon is now on board - he has good form and he is refreshed after a two-week lay-off with a minor injury. Add to that the fact that it really hurt him last time out when he should have won and you have a golfer on a mission and at 9/1, I fancy his chances.Verdict: 2pts e/w Mickelson 9/1 (various)