Golf: Woods, Man To Beat At US Open

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Tiger Woods will be the man to beat at this week’s US Open, according to his former coach.

Butch Harmon is convinced that Woods can end his four-year major drought at San Francisco’s Olympic Club.

The former world No 1 won the Memorial Tournament nine days ago with the help of a sensational chip-in during the final round.

Harmon, who coached Woods from 1993-2004, explained: “I think that was the best golf we have seen from Tiger in four to five years, going back to the run-in to his last US Open win in 2008.

“He seemed to have complete control of his golf ball, and it has been quite a while since we have seen him produce such a display of pure ball-striking like that.

“He also putted much better than he has of late, and if he plays the same way this week, then he will be back as the man to beat.” Harmon, who will be a key figure in Sky Sports’ coverage of the event which tees off on Thursday, also believes Woods’ erratic driving will not harm his chances.

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The organisers have opted for their traditional tight fairways and ankle-deep rough but Harmon added: “I think you will find most players will probably hit a driver only four times during a round.

“I went out with Phil Mickelson last week and he hit the driver only once.”

“I expect Tiger to adopt similar tactics and that will be no bad thing because we’ve seen that the driver is the club that can hurt him most.

“His course management is second to none and his game seems to have turned around at just the right time.

“But the great ball-strikers will come into their own and I expect Phil, Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia and Justin Rose to have big weeks.”

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