Golf: Five Players That Could Fly High in the US Open
The third major of the golf season tees off from the iconic Pinehurst No.2 on June 13th. 2024 represents the fourth time Pinehurst has hosted the US Open, which returns to the superb Donald Ross design that encapsulates what the US Open is all about. Namely, a stringent tee-to-green test of golf where the last man standing in a sporting war of attrition will be the deserved champion.
Viktor Hovland, an in-form fairways and greens machine, is a 16/1 US Open fancy. ©GettyImages
In this article, using the prices offered by the best US Open golf betting sites, we have identified a handful of golfers that represent good value to claim the Jack Nicklaus medal and take the US Open title. Our golf betting strategy is to back all five players each way, as many betting sites will offer generous extra place terms for this valuable contest.
Grass Is Green for Viktor the Victor
Viktor Hovland, 16/1 in the US Open betting, has the perfect game and profile to win the 2024 US Open. The Norwegian sometimes lets himself down around the greens. However, Martin Kaymer suffered from the same issues, and he crushed the field at the US Open when it was last played at Pinehurst in 2014.
Kaymer showed us that the putter can be used from off the greens, and perhaps Hovland will take a leaf out of the German’s book if and when he misses a green. I say “if and when” because, when Hovland is in form, he is a fairways and greens machine – the recipe for success at Pinehurst and US Open competitions in general.
In 2023, when Viktor won the FedEx Cup, he produced some excellent stats: Eighth in ‘strokes gained tee-to-green’ and eleventh in ‘approach shot’ performance. He also ranked fifth in ‘total driving’ and tenth in ‘proximity to the hole’.
In short, when the 26-year-old is on his A-game, few players are better at getting as close to the pin in regulation play. Hovland is now in form, having gone back to his old swing coach. The change has delivered a solo third place at the US PGA Championship.
Smith Is the Horse for This Course
Horses for courses is a phrase you regularly hear in golf betting circles. Ahead of the US Open, you can back Aussie Cameron Smith, who fits this criterion, at a tasty 33/1 with top golf betting sites. Smith, a former Open Championship winner, navigated the St. Andrews greens superbly before lifting the Claret Jug in 2022.
The greens and surrounds at Pinehurst No.2 will pose a similar test for the short game specialist. We have not seen much of Smith – the 2022 PGA Player of the Year – since he defected to LIV golf. However, he was second last time out on that tour in Singapore, and he will surely embrace the opportunity to re-establish himself on the world stage.
Big Tony Has Stats for the Bullseye
At 50/1, Tony Finau looks to be an overpriced contender in the US Open betting market. The greens at Pinehurst are undulating and equipped with run-offs, meaning they are likely to narrow the advantage the good putters have. This is music to the ears of Tony Finau backers as he is regularly low down the putting stats.
From tee-to-green, however, Finau can rival Viktor Hovland. He also has the wedge game and shot-making skills required for when he misses the greens. ‘Big Tony’ ranks ninth in the ‘strokes gained tee to green’ department and fifth in the approach statistics. He sits 22nd in ‘total driving’, an amalgamation of driving accuracy and distance.
Finau is also averaging 35th in approaches from the 150–200-yard range. His stats could be the key to success at Pinehurst No.2, and when they are factored into calculations, he looks like an excellent each-way betting proposition at his ‘bullseye’ odds.
Min Woo Lee in All Compartments
With four international titles under his belt, including the Scottish Open, Min Woo Lee is underlining his pedigree as a big game player. The 25-year-old was out in the last group on the final day of the Players Championship with World No.1 Scottie Scheffler in 2023. The Aussie was top debutant at the Masters in 2022 and was tied for fifth in the 2023 US Open.
Min Woo already boasts top-25 finishes in all four majors. Why does his game shape up so well for the big ones? The answer is simple: he is competent in all departments. Top short game skills are combined with a rank of second in ‘total driving’, and he is tenth in the statistics for ‘approaches with long irons’.
You can back Min Woo Lee on 66/1 for the US Open. The ‘double carpet’ odds make him an attractive each-way bet, given the extra each-way places offered by the UK’s best golf bookmakers.
Sepp Straka Loves a Challenge
Sepp Straka announced himself on the professional golf scene with a barrage of birdies. He has since established himself as one of the top ball strikers on the PGA Tour, earning himself a place on Luke Donald’s 2023 Ryder Cup team.
In 2024, the Austrian tied 16th in both the Players Championship and the Masters tournament. Since then, he has returned to top form, having tied fifth at the RBC Heritage, tied eighth at the Wells Fargo Championship, and tied fifth at the Charles Schwab Challenge.
The 2022 Honda Classic and 2023 John Deere Classic winner tied for 14th in the 2023 FedEx Cup. Statistically, the Austrian ranks 36th in the ‘ball striking’ metric on the PGA Tour this year, and he tends to thrive on tougher tests. Pinehurst might prove right up his alley, and Straka is, therefore, worth a punt at 125/1 each way.
The US Open Prizes and Betting Offers
The US Open is the third of four golf majors sandwiched between the Masters, the PGA Championship and the Open Championship. In 2023, the US Open purse was $20 million, with the winner, Wyndham Clark, taking away a cheque worth $3.6 million.
A five-year exemption on the PGA Tour is on offer for the 2024 US Open victor, who will also receive entry into the US Open for ten years and the other three majors for five years. As usual, dedicated golf betting sites will offer outstanding promos, a myriad of US Open betting opportunities, and attractive bonus offers.
UK bookmakers will take a significant number of bets on the US Open, and the five to follow highlighted in this article will attract plenty of money. All four days of the US Open golf can be watched live on Sky Sports.
