U.S. Open Predictions: Beat Writers and Bloggers

A sampling of U.S. Open predictions from beat writers and bloggers. Thanks to all who shared their picks. (Mine are here.)

Jeff Rude, Golfweek
• Winner: Stewart Cink
• Runner-up: Jim Furyk
• Sleeper: Ryan Moore

Glen Waggoner, Executive Editor, ESPN Books
My pick to win the 2007 U.S. Open? You mean somebody besides Tiger?

I'm going with Zach Johnson, because it would make the British even more interesting. The runner-up will be Vijay Singh. My sleeper is Adam Scott, who's been the Next Big Thing for a while now, and who is playing lights-out golf this year.

Jeff Babineau, Golfweek
• Winner: Jim Furyk
• Runner-up: Stewart Cink
• Sleeper: Aaron Baddeley

Melanie Hauser, pgatour.com
• Winner: Tiger Woods
• Runner-up: Adam Scott
• Sleeper: Stewart Cink

Jimmy Burch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram
• Winner: Retief Goosen. He has the ideal temperament for on Open champion and he's the best fast-greens putter on the PGA Tour. And greens don't get any faster than the ones he'll see at Oakmont.
• Runner-up: Phil Mickelson. Isn't he always the Open runner-up? Or does it only seem that way?
• Sleeper: Padraig Harrington. If a European golfer breaks through at Oakmont, he's the likely one.

Hank Gola, New York Daily News
• Winner: Adam Scott. As long as he keeps hitting his irons close.
• Runner-up: Henrik Stenson. But Europe falls short again.
• Sleeper: Brett Wetterich. Hits it long and straight.

Alexander Hauser, Golfers Delight
• Winner: Vijay Singh
• Runner-up: Sergio Garcia
• Sleeper: Luke Donald

Stacy Solomon, Golf for Beginners
• Winner: Phil Mickelson (With Butch Harmon as his instructor, this is his year to win)
• Runner-up: Padraig Harrington
• Sleeper: Charles Howell III

David Dawsey, Golf Patents
• Winner: Adam Scott
• Runner-up: Jim Furyk
• Sleeper: Davis Love III

Larry, No Three Putts
• Winner: Ernie Els
• Runner-up: Aaron Baddeley

Mike Sigers, Travelling Golfer
• Winner: Jim Furyk
• Runner-up: Scott Verplank
• Sleeper: Rod Pampling

I've got to go with the guys who've played well on tight, fast golf courses of late and this trio did well at Colonial and at The Memorial.

They drive the ball straight and can be patient, knowing that things happen at The U.S. Open and that to win, you have to play one shot at a time.

Tiger and Phil won't be factors at Oakmont.

Noisemaker, Golf Noise
• Winner: Tiger, but only if he brings his "A" putting game.
• Runner-up: I¹d like to see Adam Scott give Tiger a run. He¹s got a huge game if he can get it under control.
• Sleeper: Sergio would be a great sleeper. He¹s having a great year. He¹ll need to play really strong and hang tough to finish on top.

Rich Hodge, Eat Golf
• Winner: Steve Stricker
• Runner-up: Ian Poulter
• Sleeper: K.J. Choi

U.S. Open is for guys that can scramble.

JFB, My Daily Slice
• Winner: Sean O'Hair
• Runner-up: Stewart Cink
• Sleeper: Ian Poulter

Tom Collins, The Reluctant Jam Boy
• Winner: Phil Mickelson
• Runner-Up: Sergio Garcia
• Sleeper: K.J. Choi

Miranda Allen, Even Par Round
• Winner: Rory Sabbatini
• Runner-up: Justin Rose
• Sleeper: Angel Cabrera and Pablo Martin

Justin Rose is a perennial runner-up, T3 kind of guy. Angel Cabrera played pretty well at Wentworth and Pablo Martin would be a great story. Sabbatini is someone who would attack the course and reach out and grab the lead. Remembering last year's depressing U.S. Open, I think Rory would shake things up and keep us awake late on Sunday.

Golf Grouch, Grouchy Golf Blog
• Winner: Tiger
• Runner-up: Jim Furyk
• Sleeper: Luke Donald

Whoever refuses to hit driver the the 288-yard par-3 eighth hole will win.

The Golf Girl
• Winner: Vijay Singh, I know, not the most popular choice, but it's mine, and it would make me very happy.
• Runner-up: Ernie Els, well, he's done it at Croakmont before ... and I still have a bit of a thing for him. I'm loath to admit.
• Sleeper: For that I'll again go with Sergio "the best player who's never won a major" Garcia.

More predictions, by Waggle Room diarists, are listed here.