Punters Primer: Matteo, Rory and Graeme

Heading into the U.S. Open at Merion, punters and pool participants will be looking for any hint about how three very prominent Europeans will play Merion.

For those wondering about 20-year-old BMW PGA winner Matteo Manassero's chances of contending for the first time in a U.S. major, Ewan Murray profiles him for The Observer.

Remember, he's modest, so don't read this as a lack of confidence:

"I will try to stay around the top of the leaderboard. That is the idea but it is a major championship; all the top players are there, it will be tough. It is not easy to be at your best in just four tournaments. It is very difficult, but that is why they are majors.

"I have never been to Merion before but I know there is an opening stretch of five or six holes that you just have to get through before some chances arrive. There will be extreme conditions – the US Open course always plays very difficult."

Matteo may be at a disadvantage when it comes to Merion local knowledge, as these USGA videos show both Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell getting in practice rounds and talking about their impressions.

First, Rory: