Father's Day and the US Open at Pebble Beach! by MP

What goes together better than the Open at Pebble on Father's Day? Cheeseburgers and fries maybe, but not much else! You have to remember Payne Stewart consoling Phil Mickelson after draining a nails putt to win the '99 Open at Pinehurst with "but, you are gonna be a father!" Definitely an all-time moment in golf. It is that time of year again and guess what? It is time for more history to be made!

Here are your winners in the four previous US Opens held at Pebble Beach: Tom Watson, Tom Kite, Tiger Woods and Jack! Awesome stuff! We are talking the Golden Bear hitting THE one iron shot of all-time that hits the flag in '72. You have Watson telling caddy Bruce Edwards he was GOING to chip in and promptly does to win in '82. You have Tigre winning by 15 shots in '00 shooting 12 under. I mean these moments define golf history let alone US Opens!

It is hard to figure just who will win. I am going to present the side that someone from the greatest country in the world will win and VC has the other guys. Another shoe-in win for me I think! But just for the heck of it here is why.

You basically have Phil, Tiger, Stricker, Furyk, maybe Zach Johnson and possibly a youngster like Glover. Then you get into real dark horses like Watson, Corey Pavin and Fred Couples. Tough to call for sure. When I cannot make a decision on who to pick I do what all smart sports fans should do. I check out the Vegas odds. If anyone has ever put down a simple bet on any sport you know that those odds makers know the game. Those guys can tell you the Stimpmeter at Pebble when the wind is gusting or not as well as the reads on all the toughest greens. It is uncanny for sure. Vegas says the FIELD gets 2/1 odds to win which is not that great and a nice way of saying they aren't real sure who is winning either. Tiger is 2/1, Phil is 5/2 and then next is Stricker at 22/1.

Stricker is probably the pick. He is rock solid and is the number 4 golfer in the world. He is also the owner of one of the sweetest, simplest swings while being maybe the best pure putter in the game. This could be the coming out party for Stricker formerly just the guy sponsored by Kohl's. I cannot pick him though as it still would be is first major and there is also a reason he is 22/1. I think Tiger has too much happening right now with his neck and personal drama. He needs a massage and more than one kind of therapy in my opinion, which certainly does not hurt my feelings! As much as I love Watson, and he makes history again becoming the only player to play in all 5 Opens at Pebble, he is past being able to put together 4 rounds with the big-timers. Same deal with Pavin, though how great would it for the Ryder Cup Captain to win it? I cannot go with Freddy either or any of those other guys like Glover, Furyk or Johnson. So just who will it be?

Sitting down?

This is a stunner but I am takin my main man. You guessed it! Phil "Daddy's Pants" Mickelson!! Who said you wouldn't find slanted journalism on this blog baby? I made no promises! I am goin with Phil for several reasons, most of them the right ones. It would be historic, as he is from the USA and the number 2 golfer in the World! He is certainly due an Open after the aforementioned loss to Payne and the meltdown at Winged Foot in '06 when Bones should have broken his driver, or his arm when he went to grab it! Phil has great history at Pebble as he won the AT&T twice there in '05 and '07. He is coming off the Masters win and would have a chance at the Grand Slam. The Masters and the Open anywhere but especially Pebble, are you kidding me? That is a year for the books!

So print and frame another prediction that surely will come back to haunt me! Phil wins the '10 US Open. I know I should go with Stricker, and especially at 22/1, wouldn't that would be nice? But truthfully while I am with Phil, remember what I said earlier about the odds makers and that 2/1 field bet! Let my main man VC tell you how Lee "I missed that putt because my other hand was around my throat" Westwood, or the Big Easy, Retief or Angel Cabrera will win. It simply isn't going to happen! This is as prestigious as it gets. The US Open and Pebble Beach means history and I have a feeling in my bones that this one will be an all-timer. So get ready for a fantastic weekend. Dad's out there, have a burger and fries, take a quick nap and then kick back and watch the Big Lefthander take home the Title!

To my Dad especially and all Dad's out there: Happy Father's Day!

MP's picks and pans around the dial and respective leagues:

Watch for Stephen Strasburg's MLB debut this week...all I read and hear is that he is the real deal... I got a kick out of VC's shout out's as he gives a shout to Justin Rose but didn't pick him in his group of international players who could contend for the Open.....Anyone see Albert go yard against the Cubbies? 3 Dingers is a nice day at office......Lakers and Celts tied up. Goin to Boston for 3. Beauty of Game 2 was the Celts had every opportunity to fold and they played tough and gutted it out.......I will be in sunny Las Vegas next week broadcasting live!!! Have a great week everyone!