US Open Golf Betting Odds At William Hill

Going into the 111th US Open Championship, the thing that will stand out to many golf betting fans is the absence of Tiger Woods as a result of injury. But despite Tiger's absence, there will be more than enough US Open betting opportunities.

For instance, UK land and online sportsbook William Hill has laid odds on players capable of winning one of America's most epic majors. Leading the way are Phil Mickelson and Lee Westwood on 12/1 odds, with Luke Donald not far back on 14/1 odds.

Mickelson has finished runner-up in the US Open a record five times

As three of the world's best golfers, there is no doubt that one, two or all of these players will feature strongly in this year's US Open and attract betting fans from far and wide as a result. For our betting buck, Phil Mickelson is the man to watch this year.

It will not be lost on US Open betting fans that Mickelson has finished runner-up in this tournament a record five times and is long overdue a win. But Mickelson will have to earn his victory like every other other US Open winner in the tournament's history.

As such, he cannot be blamed for being cautiously optimistic. ''It's a challenge for me because it's difficult off the tee,' he said. 'It's not as easy to get up and down around the greens.' But Mickelson has what it takes to tame US Open venue, Congressional.

It will be serendipitous if Mickelson wins his first US Open this year

All of his five US Open runner-ups took place at East Coast courses, and as Congressional is an East Coast course, it would be very serendipitous if Mickelson could put his US Open demons to rest once and for all, and win the 2011 installment in fine style.

'The way the courses have been set up the last couple of years, I feel I'll have more and more chances,' said Mickelson who, if he pulls out a victory, will join the ranks of Tiger Woods, Retief Goosen, Ernie Els, Payne Stewart, Lee Janzen and Curtis Strange.

Here are some of the latest US Open odds at William Hill for today's action: