By Sportal Australia

Australian Peter O'Malley says he is not overwhelmed by the length of the Bethpage black monster, the scene of this week's US Open in New York.

Many in the Open field, including fellow Australian Wayne Grady, believe only the longest hitters have a chance of winning this year's Open but O'Malley believes accuracy is going to play a bigger role.

O'Malley is one of the most accurate players on the European PGA Tour and hopes to be at his pinpoint best over the 7,214 yards of Bethpage.

"The rough's not that long but it's really thick. I don't think anyone can advance it too far from the rough," O'Malley said after his first practice round on Tuesday.

"Hopefully I can keep it on the short stuff and give myself a chance."

The public golf course on Long Island has six par four holes that are 410 metres and over and despite the distance O'Malley only needed a fairway wood on two of the holes.

Playing in only his second US Open, O'Malley said smart play would win the day ahead of heroics.

Rather than compound errors by trying for some sort of heroic recovery shot, better to pitch back to the fairway and from there try to get up-and-down for par.

"You've got to eliminate big numbers," he said. "Take your penalty, get it back and play and give yourself a chance."

O'Malley will have to improve on his most recent performance where he missed the cut at the England Open.

Australia is well represented with 10 qualifying for the Open.

Sydney golfer Paul Gow believes Peter Lonard could be the one to watch this week.

Lonard has made the cut of every tournament he has played in his first year on the US Tour and last weekend tied for ninth at the Buick Classic.

"You've got to pick Lonard," Gow said. "He's hitting it so long it's ridiculous."

O'Malley, Lonard, Grady and Gow are joined by fellow Australians Robert Allenby, Stuart Appleby, Greg Chalmers, Greg Norman, Craig Parry and Adam Scott.