For next week’s U.S. Open, which is our third of four majors this season, we head to Oakmont Country Club (par 70, 7,372 yards, POA annua greens) in Oakmont, Pennsylvania. This course most recently held the 2016 U.S. Open, which was won by Dustin Johnson (-4). There will be 156 golfers competing at the U.S. Open next week and there will be a top-60 and ties cut following the first two rounds. Below, I dive into some of my favorite early outright betting picks for the U.S. Open, via DraftKings Sportsbook.
Bryson DeChambeau (+900)
U.S. Open courses are always long and challenging venues that require elite driving skills and Oakmont is no exception. When Johnson won the 2016 U.S. Open at Oakmont, he led his field in driving distance. As arguably the best driver in competitive golf, DeChambeau’s game is built for U.S. Open venues and he is a must-bet in his return to Oakmont. DeChambeau finished T-16 at the 2016 U.S. Open at Oakmont, which was just his third career start at a major championship. Since then, DeChambeau has won two U.S. Opens, taking home the trophy in 2021 at Winged Foot and last year at Pinehurst No. 2.
DeChambeau has finished inside the top-six in five of his last six major starts overall and he is coming off a win at the LIV Golf Korea event last month. DeChambeau won by two shots that week and he ranks third on the LIV Golf tour in points this season. Additionally, he ranks first in driving distance and fourth in birdies for the circuit. DeChambeau is ready to secure his third U.S. Open title and attacking him quickly at these +900 odds is smart, as these odds are likely to keep moving before next week.
Viktor Hovland (+4000)
Hovland has made six cuts in a row and began this stretch with a win at the Valspar Championship, which is just one of his four top-25 finishes during this cut streak. The Norwegian has gained strokes on approach at each of these last six events and he ranks ninth in the metric this season, which bodes well for Oakmont. When Johnson won the 2016 U.S. Open at this venue, he led his field in GIR.
Hovland’s driver has also been efficient this season, with the Norwegian ranking 31st on the PGA TOUR in total driving. Hovland has finished T-13 or better in five of his last 13 starts at a major – including a runner-up at the 2013 PGA Championship – and he is worth investing in at these long odds.
