As the U.S. Open nears tee time, the storylines abound.
Can Bryson DeChambeau repeat?
Can Phil Mickelson follow up his PGA Championship?
Will Jon Rahm carry over his strong play from the Memorial Tournament before having to withdraw due to a positive COVID-19 test?
In terms of the latter, the sportsbooks have pegged Rahm as the favorite to win this week.
But the storylines don’t stop there. Of course, you have to include Torrey Pines South.
This is the first time the U.S. Open will be played at the course in San Diego since Tiger Woods had his memorable victory there in 2008.
Who will win the coveted sterling silver U.S. Open Championship Trophy?
It promises to be an exciting weekend for betting on golf in Colorado this week.
In case you are wondering, since the launch of sports betting in the state, golf bettors have wagered $42 million on the sport. Remember, that’s when no events were taking place last summer and the schedule got thrown for a loop because of COVID-19.
US Open odds
As noted earlier, Rham is the current favorite at +1,000.
At DraftKings online sportsbook in Colorado, he is followed by DeChambeau (+1,500), Dustin Johnson (+1,500), Xander Schauffele (+1,500), Brooks Koepka (+1,900) and Jordan Spieth (+1,900).
In terms of this group, you can’t go wrong with either of them. However, Johnson has been one who has struggled this season. He hasn’t finished better than a tie for eighth at The Genesis and missed the cut at both The Masters and PGA Championship.
As for DeChambeau, if he is able to repeat, he would become only the fourth golfer in history to pull it off. Koepka did it in 2017 and ‘18; Curtis Strange in 1988-89; and Willie Anderson is the only golfer to three-peat (1903-05).
Other golfers to keep an eye on
Rory McIlroy (+2,000 at DraftKings): His win at the Wells Fargo Championship is a big reason why he’s a favorite. He has a history of playing the South Course well, and he’ll need that experience to get his first major win since 2014.
Patrick Cantlay (+2,000): Aside from Mickelson, few golfers have the momentum right now. Cantlay’s win at the Memorial Tournament earlier this month should give him the confidence he can compete for the championship.
Justin Thomas (+2,200): He did win The Players Championship earlier this year, but aside from that, has struggled to remain consistent. Thomas has a good price if you think he could put it together this week.
Patrick Reed (+2,200): Reed won at Torrey Pines in January so keep that in your back pocket. Since then he has three top-10 finishes. On top of that, he finished tied for eighth at The Masters.
Possible longshots
This list starts with Mickelson.
His win at the PGA Championship was remarkable. At the age of 50, he became the oldest winner of a major championship.
This is also his “home course.” Whether or not that helps, we will find out. The last time the U.S. Open was played here, Mickelson finished 18th.
But momentum is a fickle thing, especially in golf, and at +6,600 odds, that’s a good price if you think he can follow up his PGA Championship win.
Based on the biggest liabilities at BetMGM (more on those numbers is below), golf bettors really like Max Homa (currently +10,000 at DraftKings). Homa won the Genesis Invitational in February and recently finished sixth at The Memorial.
Matthew Wolff (+20,000) finished second at last year’s U.S. Open, and while it was a distant second, maybe he will carry that over to this year. Though it has been a struggle for Wolff on the links since then.
In terms of biggest longshots, one of the most significant in recent history is Martin Kaymer. He won the 2014 U.S. Open at Pinehurst at +10,000 odds. This week, he’s at +35,000. But keep in mind that Kaymer doesn’t have a win anywhere since then.
Previous US Open winners
One strategy out there for the Colorado sports bettors is previous winners.
Here are the winners since 2011 with odds from DraftKings (Kopeka not included):
2019: Gary Woodland (+6,600)
2016: Dustin Johnson (+1,400)
2015: Jordan Spieth (+1,800)
2014: Martin Kaymer (+35,000)
2013: Justin Rose (+6,600)
2012: Webb Simpson (+5,500)
2011: Rory McIlroy (+2,000)
US Open betting insights
According to BetMGM, here is the latest betting information on the tournament as of Monday.
Highest ticket percentage
- Brooks Koepka 6.2%
- Phil Mickelson 6%
- Jordan Spieth 5.4%
Highest handle percentage
- Jon Rahm 10.5%
- Phil Mickelson 9.9%
- Xander Schauffele 6.5%
Biggest liabilities at the sportsbook
- Phil Mickelson
- Max Homa
- Patrick Reed
US Open prop bets
Of course, there are also tons of prop bets if you don’t want to bet the winner, top 5 or top 10.
At DraftKings, there are tournament props, nationality props and Hole in One props.
One of the better tournament props is the Albatross Specials. Will there be an albatross at the U.S. Open? The current odds sit at no -5,000 and yes +1,400.
As the start of the U.S. Open nears, there is no shortage of betting options or storylines.
If history is any indication, golf bettors and fans are in for a memorable week at Torrey Pines.
