2013 U.S. Open predictions: Who are the experts picking at Merion?

When Tiger Woods is playing well, he’s typically the first name people mention when predicting a winner. Woods is once again the No. 1 player in the world and the betting favorite to win the 2013 U.S. Open, but he’s not a runaway favorite, according to the experts.

There was a time when it was not only rare to find an expert not picking Woods, but some would pick him over the entire field heading into a major tournament. Woods is once again the favorite, but only narrowly. Here’s a compilation of expert picks from ESPN.com, PGATour.com, Golfweek.com and CBSSports.com.

Of the 25 experts, nine picked Woods, eight picked Graeme McDowell, three picked Phil Mickelson and two picked Brandt Snedeker. Jason Day, Matt Kuchar and Steve Stricker were picked once each. McDowell won the 2010 U.S. Open and has played well this season, moving up to No. 8 in the world rankings.

While he was picked by just one expert, Kuchar would be my pick to win this week. He’s having his best season on Tour and is coming off an impressive win at the Memorial. Kuchar is yet to miss a cut this season, vaulted up to No. 4 in the world and is arguably the second-best American player in the world. Kuchar has never won a major, but has won tournaments with major-like fields, including the 2012 Players Championship. He’s been as steady as they come this season, and this week could be when he finally breaks through in a major.

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