U.S. Open Leaderboard: Justin Hicks and Kevin Streelman atop

U.S. Open Leaderboard: Justin Hicks and Kevin Streelman atop The first round of the 2008 U.S. Open is complete and Justin Hicks and Kevin Streelman are the two golfers atop of the leaderboard. The two American players are leading the pack with a total of -3 under par 68 for the day. Meanwhile the two favorite players in the 108th U.S. Open are far behind - Tiger Woods tied for No.20 with +1 and Phil Mickelson a little better, tied for No.12 with even finish. Not much of a surprise, the first round in the major tournaments usually belongs to the underdogs.

Tiger Woods opened his day of golf with a double bogey, a sure sign round one was not the time to shine. The world's No.1 chased the DB with three birdies (4th, 8th and 9th) but another double bogey on the 14th set him back one under par for the day. Woods is definitely rusty, but one thing became apparent - the low score was more of a pressure-related than physical. He remains listed with the favorite odds 2/1 to win the 2008 U.S. Open at the online bookmakers, such as BodogSports. Meanwhile Phil Mickelson is ending the round one with better score, but more mistakes. While Woods' troubles were concentrated on 1st and 14th, Mickelson spread four bogeys over 4 holes. Three bogeys in a row on the 5th, 6th and 7th, a birdie on the 10th, but followed by another bogey on the 12th. The 13th and 14th saw a birdie each and Phil Mickelson closed the 18th with another birdie for an even par and tied for the No.12 on the U.S. Open leaderboard after Round 1. The odds on Mickelson to win are 5/1 at BodogSports.

Justin Hicks and Kevin Streelman are undoubtedly the top story of this year's U.S. Open, the two sharing the lead with -3. Unfortunately for the punters, this was so unexpected, the payout for either is smaller than one could imagine - both did not find place on the betting sheets and were listed as "field", which pays out only on 5/1 odds. Justin Hicks, 33, went for 4 bogeys in the first round of the 2008 U.S. Open, but seven birdies ensured his spot atop of the leaderboard. The Michigan born golfer had a little over $8,000 in earnings this season with his best result - tied for 28 at the Livermore Valley Wine Country Championship at Wente Vineyards, but today it was all bout Justin Hicks. It would be interesting to see if he can hold on. Kevin Streelman is another player who did not make the cut with the odds makers and pays just 5/1 as "field". Unlike Hicks, Streelman went for three bogeys and six birdies to tie him at the top of the U.S. Open leaderboard at three under par. Just like Hicks, Kevin Streelman, turned pro in 2003, is an unknown among most of the golf aficionados. He played 16 events this year, taking home $219,165, but his best finish was 14th at the 2008 Shell Houston Open.

Published on 06/12/2008