US Open Golf 2011: An Early Dark Horse Pick to Watch for at Congressional

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PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL - MAY 13:  Brian Gay hits his tee shot on the 11th hole during the second round of THE PLAYERS Championship held at THE PLAYERS Stadium course at TPC Sawgrass on May 13, 2011 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.  (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

What does it take to win the US Open golf tournament?

There are many theories and approaches to this question of course.

You have to be long off the tee. You need to hit the fairway. You need to be able to scramble well. You need to be putting well.

Where all of these are true in many ways, I believe in my own theory for winning the US Open, and I am going to steal a line from the movie "Tin Cup."

"Par is good enough to win."

If a player can hang right around par heading into Sunday, they will more often than not find themselves in the thick of it coming down the stretch.

Of course there are always exceptions to the rule, however, I believe my quote to hold true at most US Opens.

What does it take to shoot par on a US Open course?

There are many factors that effect that equation.  So let’s look at a few of them and who will have a better than average shot at hoisting the US Open trophy.

First on my list has to be your driving accuracy. The US Open is legendary for having some of the most unforgiving and, at times, brutally high rough the players will see all season long.

Being in the fairway is a key stat for a player wanting to hoist the US Open trophy come Sunday.

So, who is driving the ball accurately this season on the PGA Tour?

Well I don't have to look any further than the first name on the list in Brian Gay.

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