Bryson DeChambeau walks up the 17th fairway during a practice round of the U.S. Open Golf ... [+]
The players are set to tee off at Torrey Pines for the 2021 U.S. Open. The favorites and popular golfers are again taking a majority of the win bets, but prop bets are driving betting action at the sportsbooks as well. The ease of online wagering and access to data and information you can bet on continues to drive the handle and popularity of golf betting.
Leading the way as the prohibitive favorite to win the 2021 U.S. Open and his first major title is Jon Rahm (+950). Bettors like his his overall game, stats model and strength to handle the long and challenging South Course at Torrey Pines. They also like his current form, as Rahm was dominating the Memorial Tournament by six shots through the third round before being forced to withdraw due to a positive COVID-19 test.
Many leading sportsbooks are taking more bets and money on Rahm to win. But FanDuel Sportsbook publicity is reporting that “Phil Mickelson and Brooks Koepka lead the outright win market in terms of bet count for the U.S. Open.”
More bets and money continue to pour in leading up to the opening round of the tournament Thursday. Caesars Sportsbook by William Hill is showing last month’s PGA Championship winner Phil Mickelson topping the bet count to win the U.S. Open and complete the career grand slam. Mickelson’s odds to win are +4000, or 40/1. Lefty and Koepka, who’s odds have dropped to +1200, have taken the most money (handle) to win.
Rahm, two-time U.S. Open champion Brooks Koepka, Mickelson and Xander Schauffele have taken the most money to win in that order at BetMGM. Each golfer has generating between 7% and 11.5% of the handle.
“Jon Rahm has received the most tickets and handle as the sportsbook has adjusted his odds from +1100 to +900 to win." - Jason Scott, VP Trading, BetMGM.
Following close behind are three U.S. Open champions - Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau and Jordan Spieth, who have odds to win between +1600 to +2000.
If longer iron play is of more significance at Torrey Pines, then these top-ranked golfers profiles and golf stats over their last 36 holes are players to watch. Proximity to hole leaders from 175-200 yards include: Collin Morikawa, Charley Hoffman, Xander Schauffele, Viktor Hovland, Abraham Ancer, Daniel Berger, Will Zalatoris and Tony Finau.
Beyond 200 yards, these top players are dialed in with their irons: Bryson DeChambeau, Paul Casey, Tyrrell Hatton, Viktor Hovland, Marc Leishman, Sungjae Im, Daniel Berger, Max Homa, Corey Connors, Jason Kokrak, Jon Rahm and Justin Thomas.
Brooks and Bryson
Brooks Koepka, who had knee surgery in March, says his knee “feels good. I’m very comfortable on it, and can do everything I want to do. I've got more mobility right now than I ever have.”
Koepka’s press conference included comments on the South Course at Torrey Pines.
“I like the place. It's obviously very difficult. The fairways are a lot firmer and the rough's thick, so if you don't hit the fairways, you're going to be in trouble. Regarding the bumpier Poa annua greens, Koepka added, “The greens are a lot better than what they would be in January and February,” which is when Torrey Pines hosts the Farmers Insurance Open.
DeChambeau: “I try to be as aggressive as possible. For the most part, I'm going to be trying to bomb it as much as possible and try to gouge it out when I don't hit it in the fairway.”
The storyline surrounding the ongoing feud between Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau will get more air time and coverage this week as well, especially if the two big hitters find their way to the first page of the leaderboard this weekend. DeChambeau recently called the feud ”banter”, but whatever it is, the rivalry is heating up.
“I hope on the weekend we can play against each other and compete. I think it would be fun and would be great for the game,” DeChambeau said.
The golfers will be missing plenty of fairways, and struggling to save par more this week. Last year, DeChambeau won the U.S. Open and was the only player to finish under par. In the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines, Tiger Woods won in a 19-hole playoff over Rocco Mediate. Both players finished four rounds and 72 holes at 1-under par to get into the playoff.
So it appears the players are in for another major test with survival skills and mental toughness also key attributes to succeed. A score of even par for 72 holes is 284, and the Westgate SuperBook in Las Vegas has set the winning score over/under prop at 279.5.
Check out the flyover look at Torrey Pines, and a hole-by-hole preview of the South Course.
As you follow the information and odds on the leading favorites, contenders, capable longshots, key stats and holes of interest, there are plenty of golfers to watch and popular bets beyond just the leading favorites at this year’s U.S. Open.
The shots, sounds and scenes from Torrey Pines should produce a stern test, and plenty of additional betting opportunities as the weekend drama builds and the action unfolds.
You can bet on it.
