Here comes the pain...

Oakmont is here. The most brutal course in the world is here to take on all comers. Well, the 156 that qualified at least. Footage has been leaking through all week of brutally fast and tricky greens. Rain and quite possibly thunderstorms are forecast for Thursday and Friday, so picking a player from the correct tee time draw could be crucial. Getting out early on the potentially thunderstorm ridden Thursday (Thunderday – it’s not Thorsday for nothing!) and finishing, then being able to take advantage of the softer greens on the Friday will be important. I’m also a fan of teeing off from the 1^st on a Friday.

Everyone knows Oakmont will punish wayward accuracy. There are few trees, but the rough is denser than the centre of the planet. I’ll keep it sweet, and bosh out some selections for you to take your pick from.

Numero uno, the boss this week, is Brenden Grace. This member of the world’s elite is priced outrageously at 50/1. Snap that up with as much money as you can. I have.

Adam Scott is next up. If he can bring his ball striking we saw earlier this year Oakmont might be more of a pushover. Offensively priced at 33/1, the Aussie should go well here.

Jason Day. World Number One. TPC Champion. Major winner, and all round hero. Do I need to say more?

Rory Mcilroy continues the chart. If he continues to strike the ball well and putt consistently, and keep his head up, he has all the skills to conquer the field this week.

Phil follows. Lefty hunts the career Grand Slam and 2016 may represent his best chance for some time. Good form, and some fire in his belly. I also garner that he recently escaped the clutches of some financial funny-business which may make him feel a little invincible, which will be necessary around here. Quotes of 33/1 are also a little insulting.

Jordan Spieth is the best price he is likely to be all year at 10/1. (11s if you were on Betfair for a couple of hours today). His putting is better than anyone else’s, which could count for extra this week. Although the greens might be so horrible it may make no difference, exposing the other weaknesses.

Matt Kuchar is the form horse and has the mental dexterity, coupled with the tee to green prowess to find fairways and greens. His experience and maturity will suit difficult days well here and Kuchar should shine. 40/1 is more than generous.

Brandt Snedeker. Loves performing when other players are struggling. Steaming form of 3-2-1 early this year have cooled off a little and whilst his putter may be a little cold of late, it’s possible that could count for little here. Or not. Either way, 70/1 on this rhythm hero is massive.

Matt Fitzpatrick. What is not to love about this young Sheffield-ian. Wining the Nordea Masters last week will be a huge confidence boost, as well as a solid place in the Masters, this young man is not afraid to compete on the big stage, his strong lag putting could serve him well here, as well as his accuracy off the tee. He has a touch of Spieth-like magic about him and could bring the hammer home here at a price of 75/1.

Sergio Garcia won last time out and is probably the best golfist to have not won a Major. Serg won last time out and is a proper hero. 50/1. Enough said.

Paul Casey is another Englishman with strong potential here. Clean crisp ball striking and calm under pressure. 80/1 is offensive.

Former World Number One and in form chap Luke Donald is also heroic. An unfortunate loss to Branden Grace (from which I profited) at the RBC, another course which places a premium on accuracy tee to green so he should be suited well. He is renowned as one of the best bunker players around, so the 200+ sand traps here mightn’t be that much of a punishment for him.

Masters champion Danny Willett gears up for his shot at the Grand Slam. That’s pretty much all that’s behind my decision to back him, though 33/1 could be regarded as a little offensive.

Finally for the outright, as a treat to Mr Harrow I’ve backed Jamie Donaldson for him.

1^st Round Leader fancies are a plenty and DJ is excellent at the first round. Using more formulas I decided that Dufner has the best chance of leading, giving his good 1^st round scoring stat, and his early ish tee time. 100s is top value.