Mickelson looks to go one better at Pinehurst

Thursday brings us the second Major of the year, from Pinehurst No. 2. The spread betting markets from Sporting Index make an interesting alternative to the usual fixed-odds offerings. There's a huge choice of bets, many updated in-running, and as well as backing players to win, you can also bet against those you think will struggle.

The last time the US Open was held here was in 1999, when Payne Stewart claimed victory over Mickelson with a winning putt on the final green. He also held off Singh and Woods, who were near the top of the leaderboard. Since then the course has been lengthened by about 90 yards. Tough courses like this punish any errors, benefiting those with a traditional US Open style of play; those who can scramble back to the pin hold the key to victory.

Phil Mickelson has the ideal game for Pinehurst, and Luke Donald should have a big week. Although he's still young, he has all the necessary skill. Jim Furyk's patient approach will serve him well; Miguel Angel Jimenez is also worth watching and could be an interesting bet in the Top European Player market. A straight driver with very strong iron shots, he has course experience (finishing 10th in 99) and arrives fresh from winning his last tournament.

Tiger's driving accuracy is still a problem, reflected in his current ranking of 159th on Tour. He'll be counting on his magnificent short game, but in a competition like this the consistency of his driving really is a worry. Retief Goosen claimed this title last year and in 2001 and although he had a bad week at the Memorial, that should not affect his chances this week.

Looking at individual holes, the best birdie chance is on the 4th (par 5, 566 yards, 15 yds longer than in 1999), so the big hitters will be on the green in two; although there were no eagles back in 99, you'd expect some this time around. This is followed by the toughest hole on the course (par 4, 472 yards), which is likely to cancel out some of the gains made at the 4th.

Finally, although the greens will be as tough as one would expect for a Major, there will be no repeat of the type of scores seen at Shinnecock Hills last year. Stewart finished 1 under here in 99; Sporting Index predict that this year's winner will finish 4 under, which shows they expect a stronger performance by whoever emerges victorious on Sunday.

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