Columnist Peter Benton: Stewart’s the best of a tough Open field

Peter Benton

Wednesday, June 16, 1999 | 10:17 a.m.

Peter Benton's golf column appears Wednesday.

Play gets under way Thursday in the 1999 U.S. Open, which will be held at the 7,175-yard par-70 Pinehurst No. 2 course in North Carolina.

The fairways, which are lined with tall pines, also are very wide and so the trees should not cause undue problems for players except those with the most errant of tee shots.

Where the problems will arise, particularly if the weather continues warm and dry, will be for the field to decipher the complexities of the inverted saucer-like greens and the miniature swales and canyons that surround them.

With that in mind, the following are my odds and selections:

* Payne Stewart, 8-1: Has the patience of a saint and one of the best short games in the business. Runner-up last year and won this title in '91.

* Ernie Els, 10-1: 1994 and '97 Open titles attest to his talent. Cannot only hit it long, but has a deft touch on and around the greens.

* David Duval, 10-1: Hard to find any facet of his game that is deficient. This could well be his first major victory.

* Davis Love III, 12-1: Has not tasted victory this year, but his talents cannot be denied. Big plus is that he knows this layout very well.

* Jose Maria Olazabal, 12-1: Absolutely no doubt that this popular Spaniard is back. Would be no surprise if he added this title to his two Masters victories. Quite brilliant with his short game and with the putter.

* Tom Lehman, 14-1: Deserves an Open crown and will no doubt again be up there at the finish. Has not been out of the top five last four years.

* Nick Price, 15-1: Incredibly accurate both off the tee and fairways. If he can get his putter working, look out.

* Phil Mickelson, 18-1: No guarantee he will be totally focused because of impending birth of his first child. An absolute magician on and around the greens.

* Colin Montgomerie, 20-1: Has it all game-wise, but this burly Scot seems to lose it head-wise at times. Would dearly love to win over here.

* Tiger Woods, 22-1: Has the imagination to pull off some fantastic shots, but if the rough is deep he could be in trouble.

* Justin Leonard, 24-1: Course management and ball flight are his two main pluses. Could be a contender if his putting is on.

* Hal Sutton, 25-1: Playing like he did in the early '80s. Led tour last year in total driving and greens in regulations -- big advantage on this course.

* Scott Hoch, 28-1: Hard to believe, but has yet to win a major. Great ball striker and better-than-average putter.

* Corey Pavin, 28-1: Back after a two-year absence, and his slump appears to be over. A wizard shot-maker and winner of this event in '95.

* Steve Elkington, Jeff Maggert, Jim Furyk, Fred Couples, Jeff Sluman, Lee Janzen, Greg Norman, Mark O'Meara, Darren Clark and Lee Westwood, 30-1: All outstanding players who are capable of winning -- but then just about everybody who tees it up has a chance.

Boy, these guys are good.