2021 U.S. Open Betting Odds Preview
The third major of the PGA season arrives this week as Torrey Pines in California prepares to host the U.S. Open.
The favorite at Bovada Sportsbook this week is Jon Rahm at +1000. Rahm is arguably the best golfer in the world that has never won a major title. He’s come close several times, including tying for third in the U.S. Open in 2019, which is his best finish in a major.
Rahm favored at U.S. Open in return from COVID-19 list
Rahm was the best on the course two weeks ago at the Memorial, where it looked like he was going to post consecutive wins in the event after holding a six-stroke lead through the third round. However, a positive COVID-19 test forced him to withdraw before the fourth round. It’s already been announced that COVID will not keep him out this week.
Following Rahm on the odds list at Bovada is a lengthy list of golfers at +1600. Included in that group are Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth and Xander Schauffele.
Koepka, the two-time U.S. Open champion, missed last year’s tournament due to hip and knee problems. He put together a disappointing performance last week at the Palmetto Championship, missing the cut only a few weeks after tying for second at the PGA Championship.
Defending champ has struggled at majors this season
DeChambeau is the defending U.S. Open champion after recording his first major victory last year at Winged Foot. He has a win and multiple top-10 finishes on the tour so far this season, but he hasn’t been at his best in the majors after tying for 34th in the Masters and tying for 38th in the PGA Championship.
Johnson, the 2016 U.S. Open champ, posted his first top-10 finish since February last week by tying for 10th place in the Palmetto. Like DeChambeau, he’s been a non-factor in the majors so far this season after missing the cut at both the Masters and the PGA Championship.
Spieth missed the cut at last year’s U.S. Open but since February he’s been one of the most consistent players on the tour with eight top-10 finishes, including a win at the Valero Texas Open and five other top-three finishes. Since winning the U.S. Open in 2015, his best finish in the tournament is tying for 35th in 2017.
Schauffele has top-six finishes in four U.S. Opens
Schauffele may be the best player at the U.S Open the last four years that did not win the tournament. He’s played in the U.S. Open four times in his career and cracked the top six every time. That includes finishing fifth last year at Winged Foot.
Following his record-setting win in the PGA Championship earlier this year, Phil Mickelson may be a popular choice for bettors at +6600. The U.S. Open is the only major he has never won, but he’s come close so many times with five second-place finishes. The last time Torrey Pines hosted the Open in 2008, Mickelson finished tied for 18th. The winner that year was Tiger Woods, who defeated Rocco Mediate in a playoff while hobbling on one leg.
A few other former U.S. Open winners in the field this week include 2019 winner Gary Woodland (+10000), 2014 winner Martin Kaymer (+50000), 2013 winner Justin Rose (+5000) and 2012 winner Rory McIlroy (+2000).