I will ask Mike LeBron this year when I am up there..... I think it would be a question that could be answered by the odds.... There were 16 players in 1976 when Sigel won it... I doubt that he was 16 to 1 on winning it since I am sure there were some players that didn't stand chance.... Mike may have went off 4 to 1.. I have no clue... Someone else may that has the players list from 76....
This year Mika appear to be the favorite at 5 to 1.... So just guessing I would say it might have been very very slightly easier as far as odds go in the early goings.... As far as the grind of a week long tournament is concerned where you have to bring it everyday, today's US Open can spot the first ones the 6.....