PREVIEW US OPEN

PREVIEW US OPEN  

LA COUNTRY CLUB Par 70

PURSE $17.5M Same as LY.

June 15 to 18, 2023

This is the 123rd US Open.  It was established in 1895 and played in Newport RI with 10 pros and 1 amateur.  Englishman Horace Rollings won $150.  In 1911 John McDermott became the first American to win at Chicago GC and won $300. In 1913 Francis Ouimet, a 20 year old amateur, defeated British pros Harry Vardon and Ted Ray in an 18 hole playoff at “The Country Club” in Brookline MA.  Since he was an amateur he received no money.  Ouimet’s victory is considered the most significant event in American golf. “The Country Club” hosted last years US Open with Matt Fitzpatrick winning $3.15M.

TOP 10 OPENING ODDS FOR FAVORITES

Scottie Scheffler 7/1  He has come so close lately.  Must put 4 good RDs together.

Jon Rahm 10/1 He wants another major.

*Brooks Koepka 11/1 He’s out to prove that LIV is competitive and he excels at majors.

Rory McIlroy 13/1 I don’t think his game is there yet.

Patrick Cantlay 15/1 Something is missing in his game.

Viktor Hovland 16/1 Runner up to Koepka at PGA and came from behind to win the Memorial.

Xander Schauffele 19/1 He is due to win a major. 

Jordan Spieth 24/1 His game is I too inconsistent.  I don’t think he can win.

*Cameron Smith 25/1 He may be the most profitable bet.  If he is on, no one can beat him.

*Dustin Johnson 28/1  Made the most money on LIV.  I think he will try to get back to the PGA.                                                                                                                

BEST LONG SHOTS

Tyrrell Hatton 30/1 One bad hole or he wins last week by 1, no playoff.

Max Homa 16/1 California is his home state and he plays well there.

Tommy Fleetwood 41/1 Played well enough to win last week. Missed a makeable putt to win.

Matt Fitzpatrick 32/1 Last year winner, but has not been able to put together 4 good RDs.

SENTIMENTAL FAVORITES

Jason Day 48/1 He has won this year and is in the top 10 FedX.  A major would be nice.

Rickie Fowler 53/1 He has played well, but not enough to win.  Offered $75M to go to LIV.

Nick Taylor 207/1 No golfer has won the tournament prior to the US Open and won.

Eric Cole 213/1 After playing several minor tours for years, he got his PGA card and has made close to $1M this year.  He led the PGA after a delayed Thursday RD, and finished in the top15. 

Owen Brown Jr. No Odds.  A club pro qualifier from Tulsa Oklahoma.  It would be nice if he could duplicate Michael Brooks 15th finish at the PGA Championship.

LIV PLAYERS * Three players above and 12 here for a total of 15.

Bryson DeChambeau 40/1 Got himself in hot water with some LIV related comments.

Taylor Gooch 100/1 Probably the most productive LIV golfer since its beginning. 

Patrick Reed 85/1. Always controversial.  One of a few who would not be welcomed back. 

Joaquin Niemann 85/1  Another one not welcomed by the PGA.

Mito Pereira 125/1. Young guy with a bright future.

Louis Oosthuizen 125/1 One of the LIV players over the hill.

Carlos Ortiz 150/1 Just an average golfer at best.

Harold VarnerIII 127/1 One of the few PGA players to admit he went to LIV strictly for the $.

Phil Mickelson 150/1 Because of his negative remarks during his LIV career I’m no longer a fan.

Sergio Garcia 245/1 He bad mouthed the PGA so badly he won’t be welcomed back.

Thomas Pieters 200/1/ Abraham Ancer 150/1  Both these guys will be “B” players down the road, no matter where they wind up.