US Open Tips: Each-way bets for the second Major of the season

Will Matteo Manassero make his Major breakthrough this week?

Betfair are again going 1/4 odds six places at this week's US Open, and with a wide open tournament in prospect, the betting.betfair golf team are out to get a place or two...

Mike Norman says: Back Matteo Manassero @ 61.0n/a

While most eyes will be on young guns Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler at Merion, it could be an even younger gun that out shoots them all. 20-year-old Italian Manassero has already won four times on the European Tour including that tour's flagship event, the prestigious BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth. The natural step for 'Manny' is a Major, and like Wentworth, this week's venue Merion Golf Club should reward accurate drivers and good iron players. Manassero is excellent in both departments, and his putting is strong too. Given normal circumstances it's difficult not to see him go well this week.

Paul Krishnamurty says: Back Graeme McDowell @ 23.022/1

Which ever way one considers the demands of this year's US Open, Graeme McDowell looks an each-way steal at 22/1. He's in superb form, winning two of his last four events. He's very much a tournament specialist, finishing no worse than 18th in the last four renewals, winning in 2010 and holding a chance down the 72nd hole last year. A tough, short course is perfect for his resilient talents and while others struggle on greens measuring over 13 on the stimp-meter, Gmac should be in his element.

Dan Thomas says: Back Tim Clark @ 101.0n/a

Golf editor Joe Dyer is away, so I have (foolishly) agreed to step into the breach. Without the in-depth knowledge of my esteemed colleagues, I'm doing what I usually do with golf bets and opting for a good feeling - alongside a smidgeon of research - and backing Tim Clark at an appealing 101.0n/a. His lack of distance won't be a factor at the course and his iron play and putting more often than not look in good order. At a three-figure price, I'd suggest he's well worth an each-way play to see if he can get close to his best US Open placing of third, achieved in 2005.

Steve Rawlings says: Back Marcus Fraser @ 401.0n/a

Big-priced winners aren't a rarity in the US Open and every year a monster-priced contender or two makes the frame, so I'm going to stick my neck out with Australia's Marcus Fraser at 400.0399/1, who has all the short-game wizardry required to prosper. Like New Zealander, Michael Campbell, who won the title in 2005, Fraser qualified for the event at Walton Heath the day after the BMW PGA Championship. He's missed his last two cuts but was narrowly beaten in a playoff for the Ballantine's Championship prior to that so we dont have to go too far back to find some decent form.

Dan Geraghty says: Back Boo Weekley @ 101.0n/a

I like to back an American at the US Open and that man is usually Phil Mickelson; however, with Merion's promised 25 yard fairways and brutally penal rough I'm siding with rejuvenated tee-to-green machine Boo Weekley at 101.0n/a. The colourful 39-year-old American hasn't even made the US Open field since 2009, but this week approaches his home Open in arguably the best form of his career, having already amassed over 2.3 million US dollars in prize money this season.