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US Open golf 2009 betting guide: Sergio Garcia

Sergio Garcia may be one to avoid in the betting for the 2009 US Open at Bethpage Black

There is a further reason to be sceptical about the prospects of a repeat of 2002. Then, the tournament was plagued by bad weather, and the course was soaked from day one. These were not the usual hard and fast conditions expected in a US Open. Because this very long course played at its absolute fullest length, with fairways and greens softened, the advantage of the classiest big-hitters like Woods and Mickelson was exaggerated. Should this year's renewal transfer some of that emphasis from simply distance through the air to accuracy and position, I expect we'll see more short and straight types come into the argument.

Indeed besides the big two, even in those soft conditions, the 2002 leaderboard contained several short-hitters. Jeff Maggert, Nick Faldo, Billy Mayfair, Scott Hoch, Nick Price and Tom Byrum all made the top-10, again dispelling the myth that short-hitters always struggle on long courses. That point was hammered home last year, when everyone assumed that the beast known as Torrey Pines South Course would be a long-hitters' paradise. OK, Woods won eventually, but his play-off victim Rocco Mediate was exactly the type of accurate tournament specialist that is capable of overcoming any deficiency in the power department.

Back at the start of the year, it was easy to envisage Sergio Garcia heading to Bethpage challenging for top spot in the world rankings and never available in double figures anymore. As it turns out, he starts at 40/1 and even then is very hard to fancy. If Sergio is ever to fulfil his potential and win a Major, the US Open is as likely as any with its emphasis on long game accuracy. In order to do that though, he will need to sort out his atrocious putting, and improve a flaky temperament.