US Open Betting: Opportunity abounds at US Open

The second golf Major of the year has snuck up on many as the 2020-21 season began last week in Napa, California. It was won by Stewart Cink … at 47 years old. And it happened to be his first win since he won The Open in 2009. On that occasion, he famously denied legend, Tom Watson, then 59 years old, a sixth Claret Jug.

As you can tell … golf is confusing. So let’s break down the second Major of 2020 by its many storylines in a bid to get to grips with the potential outcomes.

The course

Winged Foot in New York and a staple amongst the great championship courses in the US. It last hosted a US Open back in 2006 when Australian Geoff Ogilvy won with a score of 5 over par. For those new to the Major scene, the US Open is often the toughest and set up in a way to challenge the world’s best with long, thick rough and slick putting surfaces. The man in charge of setting up the course, Steve Rabideau, has labelled +8 as the winning score – you have been warned!

The Defending Champion

Gary Woodland held off Brooks Koepka to land his first Major last year. The powerful American, not that Brooks isn’t, moved up to 12th in the world after that win but has since slipped to 25th. Woodland’s best result since golf return to work was a T5 at the Workday Charity Open.

Big News

The biggest news is probably that Koepka is not in the field this week. Already a two-time US Open winner, the world No 8 has cited continued hip and knee troubles in limping out of this one which may offer some hope to his rival/friend Dustin Johnson, who let slip his lead at the PGA Championship earlier in the year.

Slam Watch

Rory McIlroy at The Masters, Jordan Spieth at The PGA Championship and Phil Mickelson at The US Open. For a few years now, golf’s “Grand Slam Club” have been patiently waiting to add a sixth member. This week will be Phil’s chance as he returns to Winged Foot with some painful memories … he doubled the 72nd hole to lose to Ogilvyby one in ’06.

And remember that gnarly rough we mentioned? Well, that places a premium on accuracy off the tee is not something Mickelson is not known for. Last week’s tournament saw Lefty find just 12 of 56 fairways.

Saffas on Display

George Coetzee’s win on Sunday in Portugal was a welcome return for the South African flag on top after 72 holes. He isn’t in the field this week but let’s hope that his countrymen will take some confidence from seeing him hold his nerve. Justin Harding, Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Shaun Norris, Branden Grace – a late alternate invite, JC Ritchie, Erik van Rooyen and Louis Oosthuizen will attempt to form one of Sunday’s late pairings. 

Louis is the only South African under 100-1 odds this week which could mean the nation’s wait for another Major win goes on.

Major Players

The bookmakers have priced up Dustin Johnson, one Major win in 43 tries, as the only single digit player. Rightly so because of his dominant recent form which saw him win the FedExCup on the back of that -30 display at the Northern Trust Open. His “slip” at the PGA Championship aside – he shot 68 and still was overtaken by Collin Morikawa – there is every reason to believe he will be on the first page of the leaderboard on Sunday afternoon. 

Others to be listed under this tab should be Jon Rahm, who edged Johnson in the BMW Championship playoff, but the Spaniard doesn’t have a Major yet. That leaves new dad Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas as the biggest threats to DJ’s grip. JT’s form in Majors is iffy with McIlroy in his own funk at the moment.

To spice things up, Betcoza is offering to double the odds on DJ which suddenly turns the game’s most dominant player into a very attractive option to bet on.

Chasing No 1

Jon Rahm, Daniel Berger and Xander Schauffele are among the most in-form players right now and they all have one thing in common … all are searching for their first Major. 

Schauffele might just be the one to surprise DJ this week with his sound Major record – he has six top 10s in 12 Majors – to go with his Tour Championship display and solid all-round game.

With no Brooks Koepka, Tiger Woods still rusty and McIlroy short of form, this US Open promises to be one to remember.