Showdown, Week 24: Lee Westwood vs. Phil Mickelson

So in an attempt to inject a bit more life and interest into tournaments, and because we're both inveterate gamblers who are one bad card from being out on the streets, Jay Busbee and I are playing a golf version of a football suicide pool: We each pick one golfer per tournament and see how they do against each other, straight up. Victory over the other guy gets one point, victory in the tournament gets three points. And when we burn a golfer, he's done for the year. We're at the U.S. Open this week, and both have some heavy-hitters for the second major of the season.

Busbee: And now we see where strategy comes into play for this silly game of ours. I've already used some of the best possible picks (Stricker, Kuchar, Donald) so I'm going to swing like I'm hitting from the tips here and play Lee Westwood. His record at the U.S. Open isn't great, just two top-5s in the last 10 years, but this is allegedly his time You're supposed to be so damn good, Westy, let's see you prove it. And hopefully I won't do like I always do when playing from the tips: top it and barely get it past the ladies' tee.

Bacon: I'll see your hefty European star and raise you our version of Mr. Westwood with the bridesmaid of this event, Phil Mickelson. Lefty has finished second at the U.S. Open a record five times, and while that might not ring confidence in someone picking him to win, the contest is just my guy beating your guy, and a second-place finish normally means that'll happen.

Last Week: Bacon's pick of Jonathan Byrd finished t-25 at 2-under, while Busbee's pick of David Toms ended his run of good play, missing the cut at the St. Jude.

Overall Record: Bacon 15, Busbee 13

Already Used: Busbee: Ernie Els, Steve Stricker, Chad Campbell, Bill Haas, Nick Watney, Tim Clark, Hunter Mahan, Graeme McDowell, Brian Gay, Matt Kuchar, KJ Choi, Webb Simpson, Jhonattan Vegas, Phil Mickelson, Adam Scott, Jim Furyk, Luke Donald, Anthony Kim, Ben Crane, Zach Johnson, Sean O'Hair, Kenny Perry, and Toms. Bacon: Bubba Watson, Jim Furyk, Steve Marino, Ben Crane, Jhonattan Vegas, Dustin Johnson, Matt Kuchar, Ian Poulter, Graeme McDowell, Nick Watney, Padraig Harrington, Tiger Woods, Spencer Levin, Anthony Kim, Angel Cabrera, Aaron Baddeley, Pat Perez, Justin Rose, Adam Scott, David Toms, Rory Sabbatini, Chez Reavie and Byrd.