Having enjoyed a stellar set of results at the LPGA Championship (only Jiyai Shin and Angela Stanford cracked the top 10 among my picks – but did anyone bet on Anna Nordqvist?) we’ll take a slightly different approach this week and rate the chances of each of the world’s top 15 at Bethpage. After all, predicting that people won’t win is a heck of a lot easier than trying to pull one needle from a 156-man haystack, so...

Tiger Woods (8-1) – For my money, he cannot be as strong a favorite as he was pre-surgery, one fairly impressive Memorial triumph notwithstanding. But seriously, how confidently would you bet against him?

Phil Mickelson (25-1) – Obviously his prospects are dimmed more by wife Amy’s physical battles than his current form, which actually wasn’t too bad (two wins and a 5th at Augusta) through April. Finished 2nd at Bethpage last time, and might feed of the New York crowd...but there’s no way his head can be 100% right.

Paul Casey (16-1) – A hot player worldwide with one win in America (Houston) plus titles at Dubai and the British PGA thus far in ’09. Has a limited record in this event, however, with only a single top 10 (a tie for 10th in 2007, at Oakmont) in six starts. Certainly has the requisite length...

Sergio Garcia (19-1) – Does he have the temperament? Can he hole enough putts? Will the gods conspire against him? A tough man to call with all of this baggage, plus mediocre recent form – but his overall Major record is good, he finished 4th here in 2002, and the U.S. Open is a ball-striker’s event. Hmm...

Geoff Ogilvy (14-1) – The 2006 champion started ’09 strong (wins at the Mercedes and the WGC Match Play, plus a late ’08 triumph Down Under) but had been in less superlative form of late – prior to a Saturday 63 at the Memorial which led to a T10. Clearly does have the right temperament, and is thus never a bad pick.

Henrik Stenson (22-1) – The current Players champion seems a threat to contend whenever he tees it up. He plays relatively little in America, however; this will be his 4th U.S. Open, with the previous three amounting to a T26 and two MCs.

Kenny Perry (24-1) – Still demonstrating remarkable form for a 48-year-old...though he’s cooled a bit since his heartbreak at Augusta. Has only playing in 10 Opens, and then only once bettered 23rd, that being a T3 in 2003 at Olympia Fields. Another who won’t by overwhelmed by Bethpage’s size.

Steve Stricker (15-1) – An interesting prospect this week. Has finished six times among the top seven in ’09, including an impressive playoff victory at Colonial two weeks ago. Has an up-and-down record at the Open, thrice finishing among the top 10 (in 13 starts), the most recent being a T6 at Winged Foot in 2006.

Vijay Singh (22-1) – Was having a quiet season (four missed cuts in his first nine starts) before logging top 10s at The Players and Colonial. Recorded seven U.S. Open top 10s in 12 starts from 1995-2006, so his ball-striker’s game seems to translate well here. But at age 46, is his mojo as strong as it used to be?

Jim Furyk (12-1) – Another compelling choice. Is very much on form (three straight top 10s, including a 2nd at Memorial) and enjoys a strong Open record, winning in 2003 at Olympia Fields and tying for 2nd in both ’06 and ’07 at Winged Foot and Oakmont.

Padraig Harrington (25-1) – Was a dominant player last summer, but hasn’t recorded a worldwide win since the PGA Championship, and has struggled significantly in the U.S. of late, missing three of his last four cuts and recording not a single American top 10 in 2009.

Camilo Villegas (24-1) – Tied for 9th last year at Torrey Pines and started ’09 nicely with three early top 10s. Has been consistent but not quite on form ever since (no top 10s, no MCs) so it’s tough to read which way he’s trending.

Sean O’Hair (20-1) – Has been up and down all year, with four top fives (including a win at Quail Hollow), but also two MCs (plus a withdrawal at Memorial after an opening 76) since late March. Has one top 10 (a T10 at this year’s Masters in 13 career Major starts.

Robert Karlsson (-) – Chances are nil; he withdrew on Friday with an eye infection.

Anthony Kim (26-1) – Last year’s phenom is this year’s (modest) disappointment. Hasn’t come near a top 10 since tying for 2nd at the season-opening Mercedes Championship. Has one top 10 (a T7 at last year’s Open Championship) in six Major starts. Thus he would seem a longshot this week despite his considerable talent.