European Tour Insider: The best prospects at U.S. Open
By Nick Dye, European Tour Insider
Paul Casey flies the flag for Europe at the U.S. Open this week. As world No. 3 with as many victories already this season, it's only right that he's in the spotlight as he chases a first major win.
Trophies in Abu Dhabi, Houston and then at Europe's flagship event -- the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth -- mean he's arguably in the form of his life.
Tied for 10th in 2007 at Oakmont is his best performance, and that included a scintillating 4-under 66, so he's confident of tackling the trials that are bound to be set at Bethpage Black.
He had a first taste of the track last week, and he likes what he's seen.
"I thought it was one of the finest golf courses I've ever played," Casey said. "Very fair, extremely strong. Short par threes, long par threes, short par fives, long par fives: it's a very impressive golf course."
WESTWOOD HO
Casey, of course, is not the only Englishman trying to emulate Tony Jacklin's victory of way back in 1970. Lee Westwood came mightily close last year. He had a birdie putt to join the play off with Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate, but had to settle for his best-ever finish in a major in third place.
His been a little out of touch in recent events, registering only one top 30 on the European Tour since the Masters, but he's bullish about his chances.
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"To come as close as I did last year -- within touching distance really -- gives you a lot of confidence." he says "The U.S. Open has always been the major I've fancied myself for most. It just seems to suit my game."
WILSON WIN
Oliver Wilson is another English name to throw into the mix, because he himself is happy to talk up his chances. Still seeking a maiden tournament victory -- and it's surely only a matter of time -- he says: "I feel like a major could be my first win, and the U.S. Open suits me. If I can just get into contention and stick in there all week, I can just keep grinding it out for the best possible performance."
FRENCH CONNECTION
It's not all about the English. Three French players enjoyed their time at the qualification tournament at Walton Heath recently. The Spanish Open champion Thomas Levet had spoken about wanting to play at the top level rather than being in the commentary box as he was at the Masters. He qualified along with two compatriots who'll make their debut at the event: Raphael Jacquelin and Jean-Francois Lucquin.
For the latter, the reigning Omega European Masters champion, it's a first appearance in a major of any kind.
Spain's Jose Manuel Lara, a former UBS Hong Kong Open champion, is another to have that honor while David Horsey -- sorry, another Englishman -- gets to play in one of the U.S.-based majors for the first time. He's a rookie on the European Tour, having won the second tier Challenge Tour money list last season.
BY THE RIVER AA
While there's a real major, there's also an event which can feel like a major for many of the players involved this week in France.
The Saint-Omer Open presented by Neuflize OBC is a dual-ranking event, featuring regular European Tour members and many from that second-level Challenge Tour. For them, it's the chance of one of the biggest paydays of their season, and a potential passport to the upper echelon.
And there's no spelling mistake in that heading. It doesn't stand for Alcoholics Anonymous or Automobile Association, but was a slightly confusing addition to the title of the event for several years. The event is played in the rolling hills outside the beautiful market town of Saint-Omer near to the River Aa.
Robert Coles has won twice in six weeks on the Challenge Tour this season, and has to be one of the favorites to return to the higher grade, but the likes of former Ryder Cup players Joakim Haeggman, Phillip Price, Peter Baker and Andrew Coltart are also in the field along with two home favorites.
Jean-Francoise Remesy -- a dual French Open champion -- regularly supports the event, and is joined by the charismatic Jean Van de Velde.
The winner gets a spot in the prestigious HSBC Champions event in Shanghai later in the year.
I can distinctly recall the joy of the 2006 champion Cesar Monasterio from Argentina when he got to Shanghai. The then 42-year-old was "guilty" of using a camera at the Sheshan golf club, because there on the putting green, standing beside him was Tiger Woods.
ARISE SIR NICK
I imagine there'll be some good-humored ribbing of a new Knight of the Realm, Sir Nicholas Alexander Faldo this week, when he gets back to commentary duty.
Yes, he has been honored by Queen Elizabeth II and may be only the second British golfing knight after Sir Henry Cotton -- though should Colin Montgomerie be successful where Faldo failed in winning the Ryder Cup as a captain, then it's probably only a matter of time before he too has to get down on his knees before the throne.
"I am more than a little bit humbled to have been afforded this great honor," Faldo said.
Second to Curtis Strange in 1988 was the closest he came to claiming the U.S. Open. Maybe he'll see a countryman go one step better this year.
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