US Open / Paul Krishnamurty / 15 June 2010 / 1

Looking for a long-priced bet at the US Open - Paul Krishnamurty has selected four for your perusal

Punters prepared to take a chance on big-priced outsiders have thrived in recent US Opens. Four of the last five champions started the week in triple figures, with Tiger Woods in 2008 the sole exception. Even then, Tiger needed an 18-hole play off to defeat [600.0] shot Rocco Mediate, while one of this column's picks, Lee Westwood, missed out on that play-off by a single shot. (Wouldn't we love to be taking triple-figures about Westwood this week?!).

Last year saw arguably the unlikeliest leaderboard in majors history, with [450.0] chance Lucas Glover winning, while [1000.0] chances Ricky Barnes and David Duval made the top-five. Here's my best four outsider picks for Pebble Beach.

Mike Weir @ [150.0]

If he could boast any good recent form, then former Masters champion Weir would surely not be available at anywhere near these odds, as he ticks all the right boxes. His US Open record is extremely consistent, with top-20 finishes in seven of the last nine, four times inside the top-10. Just that tournament record is enough to justify a bet at huge odds, but in addition, Pebble Beach is probably his favourite course. Weir's last 11 attempts at the annual Pebble Beach Pro-Am have yielded seven top-10s, including five top-4s.

Miguel-Angel Jiminez @ [220.0]

Given that he was beaten by 15 shots, it would be stretching the truth to suggest that Jiminez challenged for the title when this major was last held at Pebble Beach. Nevertheless, he did finish tied for second place behind Tiger Woods at his untouchable best.

Ten years down the line, and Jiminez's game hasn't notably deteriorated. He beat a world-class field in the Dubai Desert Classic back in January, and also played well to finish 12th at the Masters. His most recent result was another top-10 at Celtic Manor, so 'The Mechanic' is entitled to feel confident about his chances.

Stephen Ames @ [250.0]

Of my four picks, I rate Ames the best value. Before even considering his claims on past event form, or suitability for the course, Ames took the eye on last week's form in the St Jude Classic. He ranked second for greens in regulation at Southwind, closing with 67/68 to register a top-15 finish.

Ames is renowned as a great player in windy conditions, which we can be pretty certain he'll encounter at Pebble Beach. His tournament record is also pretty decent, with top-10s in three of the last six US Opens.

Tom Lehman @ [800.0]

I can imagine many a reader raising an eyebrow at this final selection, to which I would respond with two words. Tom Watson. If 59-year-old Watson can come within a putt of winning the British Open, then Lehman, eight years his junior, is capable of pulling off an enormous upset at Pebble Beach.

Back in his prime, Lehman loved this major, playing in the final 2-ball four years in succession without ever managing to finish the job. He's also twice made the top-10 in the Pebble Beach pro-am this century, and finished third in a Seniors event on the course last June, so clearly has the skills to cope with this test. Tom has certainly been in good form this year, winning the recent Seniors PGA Championship, and registering top-20 finishes on two of his four PGA Tour starts.

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1. TheTipster | 15 June 2010

   I would like to give a few 50/1+ figure bets to look out for too....they are

   Ricky Barnes 150/1
   Brian Gay 129/1
   Bo Van Pelt 64/1
   Ben Crane 89/1

   See how it goes.....

   Tipster

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