It has been a while since we’ve been this excited about Australian chances at a major golf championship. Could we see a winner at this week’s US Open?
Only two Australians have ever won the US Open, which is two more than have won the US Masters. David Graham won in 1981 and of course, Geoff Ogilvy won in 2006.
Ogilvy’s win is nice to have in the minds of the current generation of young Aussie golfers, but it is beginning to feel like a long time ago.
Ogilvy’s victory was expected to push the floodgates open for many more Australian victories at majors. Instead, we’ve had very little to get excited about, aside from this year’s US Masters.
But maybe the (near) success of Jason Day and Adam Scott at the Augusta this year was the floodgates opening, or at least a small break in the dam. One can hardly expect a torrent of victories in majors but we hope for at least one Aussie to cheer for come Sunday afternoon (Monday morning).
So what are the chances of an Australian being in contention at the 2011 US Open?
Well, there are 11 Aussies in the 156 man field this year and will all things being equal, that is about 1 in 14; which isn’t real good. But luckily things aren’t equal and we have a few Australian golfers in some pretty good form right now.
Let’s take a look at the top 5 best Australian chances at this year’s US Open at Congressional.
1. Jason Day
This kid is showing great maturity on the golf course. He is battling through his bad holes and posting good scores even when he is not hitting the ball so well. For example, he scraped through the cut line a few weeks ago at the Byron Nelson Classic then posted two low rounds to finish fifth.
A three week lay off after a tiring start to the year will have Day nice and fresh for the tournament.
“I need the time off before the US Open to get me hungry to come back and play good golf. I love playing the game and don’t want to get stale.” Let’s hope he’s starving.
2. John Senden
Form. That’s why Senden is placed above the guy below. John Senden has nine from 16, Top-25’s this year. He is 10th in GIR and 7th in total driving stats. His final few rounds this weekend were poor but I’d love to see Senden in contention on Sunday and think it is only a matter of time before he has a chance to make a huge name for himself.
3. Adam Scott
Long putter, short odds. It makes a nice change to have a confident Adam Scott around the greens and we saw what can happen at Augusta. His form has been off since the US Masters which is a concern, but the performance will be sure to give him the confidence to perform in the big tournaments again.
4. Geoff Ogilvy
Ogilvy’s been by far and away the best Australian performer this decade and as a past winner, he will definitely feature on the weekend. Don’t forget his Sunday rush at the Masters either. He finished in a tie for fourth which has been somewhat forgotten in the shadow of Scott and Day’s heroics.
Ogilvy is the thinking man’s golfer too. He wrote how he approaches each major in a recent article for Golf Digest. It sounds like he is perhaps not the biggest fan of this major but it is nice to know he will be coming prepared.
5. Aaron Baddeley
I’d like to pick the improving Scott Hend or a revived Marc Leishman as the fifth pick but the fact is, they are just too inconsistent. The same goes for Robert Allenby, Greg Chalmers and the slow Nick O’Hern.
Aaron Baddeley is the only other Australian golfer in the US Open field who appears any chance of winning, and it is a good one too.
He has four top 10’s this year including a tie for sixth at the recent Players Championship. He thrives on confidence and a good opening from Badds will give him a great shot at winning.
The eleven Aussies in the 2011 US Open field: Scott Hend, Nick O’Hern, John Senden, Marc Leishman, Greg Chalmers, Robert Allenby, Aaron Baddeley, Scott Barr, Jason Day, Geoff Ogilvy and Adam Scott.
amazonfan
Roar Guru
It's disappointing. I had always hoped that he would win a major.
Capital
Roar Guru
Pretty certain he didn't qualify
amazonfan
Roar Guru
Why isn't Stuart Appleby competing in the US Open?
Daniels
Guest
it is time an Aussie wins a major in golf. Jason Day was unlucky to lose the masters.
Padraig O'Looney
Guest
Nearly always back Scott in tournaments and finally the masters paid off(long time coming mind you) so will stay loyal over Day again. I wouldnt be surprised to Chalmers doing well, good solid player finds fairways and pars a lot of his holes which will be important this week and @ 300/1 worth a shot. As an irishman would like Harrington to do well but cant see it happenening. So fingers crossed for Scott and Chalmers!
Capital
Roar Guru
Have to agree POL, I would pick Day as the form player of the Aussies - he has the killer in him when he gets close. Scott is playing well and could deliver, but we have been saying that for many years now - though his putter is looking really solid. And SW on the bag will help. I don't think Senden will compete, he has been playing well but has not got into the dogfight of contention on the US Tour, gets close - but never close enough. Hits the ball great, but I think you need to have that winners edge, and he hasn't found it in the US yet. And Ogilvy - what a great swing, tempo like the guy is just so smooth and fluid. I hope he can get up, but he has been slightly off for a couple of years. I recall him winning the first tournament in Hawaii a coupld of years ago and then going home to be with family - so I am not sure he has the motivation to push into the top echelons now his family is growing. I would love to see it, but it is pretty infrequent. If the Masters form is to be used - my money would be on Day. But any Aussie winning would be exciting.
Padraig O'Looney
Guest
I think Steve Williams on the bag will be a huge asset for adam. Scott and Day should go close, but so can any of the 11 as aussie golfers are performing extremely well on the PGA. Pity Rod Pampling isnt there.