A second golf league might have been created since the last time this column was released, but nothing in this sport can take our attention away from a Major tournament. It is time for the season’s third Major, with the 2022 U.S. Open slated to take place in Massachusetts.
The previous two Majors were won by elite players. Scottie Scheffler torched the course in Augusta to win the Masters, and Justin Thomas secured a comeback victory at the PGA Championship. Rory McIlroy won last week’s Canadian Open, while Jon Rahm is the defending champion at the U.S. Open.
All four of those players make up the top of the leaderboard at this week’s golf tournament. Will a golfer from that group win this week’s golf tournament or will it be someone further down the betting board? Let’s find out.
All odds via WynnBET’s online sportsbook as of Wednesday, June 15.
The U.S. Open
Date: June 16 through June 19
Location: Brookline, Massachusetts
Courses: The Country Club
Yards: 7,264
Par: 70 (Four Par-3 holes/12 Par-4 holes/Two Par-5 holes)
Greens: Bent and Poa
Purse: $12,500,000
Past Winners
2021: Jon Rahm
2020: Bryson DeChambeau
2019: Gary Woodland
2018: Brooks Koepka
2017: Brooks Koepka
Odds to Win the U.S. Open
Justin Thomas +750
Rory McIlroy +930
Jon Rahm +1200
Scottie Scheffler +1200
Xander Shauffele +1800
Matthew Fitzpatrick +2100
Patrick Cantlay +2100
Cameron Smith +2400
Sam Burns +2400
Shane Lowry +2400
Sung-Jae Im +2400
Joaquin Niemann +2700
Jordan Spieth +2700
Collin Morikawa +3000
Tony Finau +3000
Will Zalatoris +3000
More selections available at WynnBET!
Golf Picks
I’m taking a risk by avoiding the four golfers at the top of the betting board. Jon Rahm is the one that intrigued me the most, but the defending champion has finished outside the top 25 in each of the last two majors and has only really looked right during his win in the Mexico Open.
Because I’m avoiding the elite guys, I get to target more options down the board. Hopefully, this tourney plays tough and that brings these guys into the mix on the weekend.
Patrick Cantlay — I bet Cantlay at the PGA Championship and immediately regret that decision after he missed the cut. It would be an understatement to say Cantlay struggles at majors, but I refuse to believe that is something that will continue. This should be a great fit for Cantlay, who is coming off a third-place finish at Memorial. Cantlay posted a T15 for his best U.S. Open finish last year, so let’s hope this is finally the time he can break through in a major event.
Cameron Smith — There are solid concerns about betting Cameron Smith here, especially given his driving struggles. But his odds have drifted low enough — I actually fired at 27/1 — that I’m willing to add him to my card given his upside. Over the last 50 rounds, Smith ranks second in this field in strokes gained approach and I’m counting on that being enough to carry him this week. For what it is worth, NumberFire’s golf model gives Smith a 6% chance of winning this event, behind only Justin Thomas (7.4%), Jon Rahm (7%) and Rory McIlory (6.3%).
Jordan Spieth — I couldn't forgive myself if I missed out on a Jordan Spieth week. He's a popular pick, and for good reason, but his odds haven't moved too much because of other players around his range. Spieth gained five strokes with the putter during an 18th-place finish last time out at Memorial, and we know he's a player that can get on a heater with his wizardry around the green. Over the last 24 rounds, Spieth ranks first in this field in strokes gained tee-to-green. Can you imagine the ratings on Sunday if Spieth is in one of the final groups with a LIV player in the mix? Sign me up.
Collin Morikawa — I don’t need to see much recent form to bet on Morikawa, especially at a major. The two-time major winner is accurate off the tee and lethal on approach shots when his game is at his best. Morikawa has yet to finish higher than 25th in his four events since the Masters, but I’m comfortable taking a stab on him to break out of the slump at this price.
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