Columnist Peter Benton: Shinnecock Hills will test pros’ accuracy

Peter Benton

Wednesday, June 16, 2004 | 9:03 a.m.

Peter Benton's golf column appears Wednesday.

The 6,996-yard, par-70 Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y., is the site for this week's 104th U.S. Open.

You can guarantee that this little gem of a layout will be set up in such a way that the premium will be accuracy off the tee, as missing fairways on this fescue-lined course will wreak havoc.

When the Open was last played at this site in 1995, Cory Pavin's even-par 280 edged Greg Norman and his 282, which adds credence to the aforementioned word, "accuracy," as Pavin, at his best, was a wonderful driver.

Selecting the winner is a Herculean task. If the wind blows, disaster lurks everywhere, and with the abundance of sand traps and super-fast, ultra-tricky greens, it becomes a guessing game. Virtually any golfer can win, so it comes down to who has the hottest putter.

Here are my personal selections and odds from the 156-man field:

Vijay Singh, 5-1: The season's leading money winner is long off the tee, accurate, and if his belly-putter is working, he'll be extremely difficult to beat.

Ernie Els, 7-1: A brilliant player who does not get frazzled by an errant shot. His delicate touch on and around the greens will be a definite plus on this layout.

Scott Verplank, 8-1: Not particularly long off the tee (like Pavin), but ranks second in driving accuracy and his expertise from the sand will be a big plus. My dark horse.

Tiger Woods, 10-1: Possibly not playing his best golf, but how can you count out this fellow? He has only one win this year, but invariably is the man to beat.

Phil Mickelson, 12-1: Instead of going for broke on every shot, he showed at the Masters that course management is a large part of his game these days.

Mike Weir, 14-1: This diminutive Canadian can play with the best of them, but to win this week he must putt better.

Davis Love III, 15-1: Although he has not visited the winner's circle this year and with only one major championship -- the 1997 PGA -- this guy has too much talent.

Sergio Garcia, 17-1: When he is good, he's very, very good. Played particularly well in last week's Buick Classic, which he won in a three-way playoff.

Kirk Triplett, 18-1: This journeyman golfer with the bucket hat has only two PGA victories to his credit and an abysmal record in the majors.

Padraig Harrington, 20-1: Ireland's pride acquitted himself with distinction while losing in a playoff last week to Garcia. He is a proven winner.

Retief Goosen, 23-1: The 2001 U.S. Open champion has played steadily if not spectacularly so far this year.

Darren Clark, 25-1: This burly Irishman does not have a distinguished record in the majors -- apart from the British Open.

Contenders, 30-1: Not one of the following can be excluded from a possible victory: Nick Price, David Toms, Chad Campbell, Stephen Ames, Jerry Kelly and Justin Rose.

Long shots, 35-1: Any of these players may, just may, surprise: Shigeki Maruyama, Peter Lonard, Rory Sabbatini, Freddie Couples, Todd Hamilton and Kenny Perry.