The Best 70 - US Open Player By Player Guide
The US Open at Shinnecock Hills: Player by Player Guide
We are doing an extensive guide for the US Open and the top 70 players in the betting will be covered in our player by player guide for the second major of the year which gets underway at Shinnecock Hills on the 14th of June 2018.
- Note: All prices quoted are top price available at the time the article was published and are subject to change.
14/1, 16/1, 22/1, 66/1 & 66/1 Tips for the 2018 US Open – CLICK HERE!
12/1 – DUSTIN JOHNSON
US Open Form – 48-40-8-23-MC-55-4-2-1-MC
World No. 2 and 2016 US Open Champion. Playing extremely consistent golf again this season and will be looking forward to the test at Shinnecock Hills. The course is a links layout so it will require a good thinker and they have added 450 yards to the course which will suit him down to the ground. He is all power which and it will be an advantage around here this year. A player as good as DJ deserves to be at the head of the market and he should make the Top 10 again this year. He was World No. 1 for a long spell before Justin Thomas took his place.
14/1 – RORY MCILROY
US Open Form – 10-MC-1-MC-41-23-9-MC-MC
Despite a double bogey on his final hole, Rory set a US Open 36 hole scoring record on his way to a scintillating win for his first major win in 2011. He had a disappointing year in 2017 due to a rib injury but since then he has got married and is now injury free so he is in a good place. His problem this year has been his putting which to put it mildly has been extremely poor. If he can get the putter going for the US Open, he will WIN! He has been in contention nearly every week he plays at the moment but when it comes to Sunday, the putter has gone missing. He has a chance to put that right this week.
14/1 – JORDAN SPIETH
US Open Form – 21-MC-17-1-37-35
Jordan has been typically regarded as one of, if not the best putter on the PGA Tour and it is the short stick that brought him so much success over the last few years. However, the short stick has somewhat deserted him of late and he is struggling at present. He amazingly ranks 192nd on the PGA Tour for strokes gained putting. Considering he was always inside the Top 20 when he was on a hot streak, this is the part of his game he needs to work on. Contender but impossible to back with confidence at present.
14/1 – JUSTIN THOMAS
US Open Form – MC-32-9
Current World No. 1 and now an 8 time winner on the PGA Tour, Justin deserves a lot of respect this week. The length of the course will suit his game. We have slight reservations about the links layout. The course suits a creative thinker and I am not so sure he has developed that side of his game enough as of yet. He is still very young, raw and is learning week on week which is frightening considering he is the best in the world at present. It would be no surprise to see him win but we think he will gain a lot of experience from this and the Open Championship this year and will use that to his advantage next season on this type of layout. He is a major champion; won the 2017 USPGA Championship.
18/1 – JASON DAY
US Open Form – 2-59-2-4-9-8-MC
Went through a lot of personal issues over the past two years with his mother being sick and with an illness of his own but he is right back to near his best now which is fantastic to see. He leads the PGA Tour this year for strokes gained putting and if those stats continue this week, he might take some beating. Australian golfers also love links-like conditions as they grow up playing on coastal windy courses. The former World No. 1 won the USPGA Championship in 2015 and was runner-up twice in the US Open. He was also runner-up in the Masters in 2011. Serious candidate.
18/1 – RICKIE FOWLER
US Open Form – 60-MC-MC-41-10-2-MC-MC-5
Major championships must be getting very frustrating for Rickie who has arguably been the most consistent player in the big events for the last few years. 2nd at Augusta this year, 2nd in the 2014 US Open, 2nd in the 2014 Open Championship, 3rd in the USPGA Championship in 2014, he must feel like pulling his hair out at this stage. Nobody can say Rickie is a bottler though, he has just been very unfortunate. He has an incredible putting technique, plays with no fear, is a winner on the PGA Tour already this season and absolutely loves links golf so we see no reason why he won’t contend again this week.
20/1 – JUSTIN ROSE
US Open Form – 5-MC-10-MC-MC-MC-21-1-12-27-MC-MC
Dominated the Fort Worth Invitational just a couple of weeks ago in impressive fashion. One thing I noticed that week is the strength of his putting game which has so often let him down. Justin is the best player in the world tee to green; straight and long off the tee, accurate with his irons and a dynamite wedge game to boot. He won the 2013 US Open and is not afraid of a dog fight. He was 2nd at Augusta twice so has a real major pedigree and if he is in contention on Sunday, and I think he will be, he is one to be for, not against. If he putts well at Shinnecock Hills, he has an outstanding chance.
22/1 – TIGER WOODS
US Open Form – WD-82-19-18-3-1-12-1-20-17-2-MC-2-1-6-4-21-32-MC
If you asked me a year ago if you thought Tiger Woods would ever win a major again, I would have probably laughed and pointed at you at the same time. Well, I will freely admit he has shut his doubters up so far this season since his return. He may not prove good enough to win the US Open this year but there is no doubt he won’t be too far away given the way he has played. He was always notably poor off the tee but his driving this year has been exceptional for the most part. It is just fantastic to see Tiger back in the limelight. No matter how he plays, he is golf and his participation makes this week highly exciting!
22/1 – JON RAHM
US Open Form – 23-MC
We are two years into the Spaniard’s professional career and what a whirlwind it has been for him. His results have been nothing short of amazing and we have no doubt he is destined to be a major champion. He has five worldwide wins to his name already; two on the PGA Tour and three on the European Tour and finished fourth at the US Masters at Augusta this year. He is also no stranger to links golf, winning the Irish Open last year so he will feel right at home around here, especially if the wind is up. He hits it a long way, can work the ball both ways, high and low.
28/1 – BROOKS KOEPKA
US Open Form – MC-4-18-13-1
He may have had two wrist dislocations in two months but this man is a serious baller! He chased home the unstoppable Justin Rose in the Fort Worth Invitational and did absolutely nothing wrong on the Sunday, posting a very low score in the process. His game is in serious shape heading into US Open week and the length of the course should suit him as he hits it a long way. He won the US Open last year so arrives here as the defending champion. Winning it back to back is a huge ask but he is one of our favourites on paper. Ticks all the boxes so fingers crossed for a big week.
33/1 – HIDEKI MATSUYAMA
US Open Form – 10-35-18-MC-2
Japanese star who is a five time winner on the PGA Tour. He was 2nd in the US Open last year and has had a tough few months as he had to sit it our for a while with a wrist and thumb injury. It has took him a while to find his feet again but gradually it looks like his game is on the way back with a T16 finish in the AT&T Byron Nelson a few weeks ago. Is he good enough to win a US Open? Most certainly! However, will he win the US Open this year? Probably not. He hasn’t had enough time since his injury to get right back to 100% so he is one to avoid for us this week.
33/1 – PATRICK REED
US Open Form – 35-14-MC-13
“Captain America” arrives here with a green jacket in his possession! The current US Masters champion may well look a big price to many this week. He will go down as one of the most unpopular major champions ever. For some reason, the golfing public have not taken to Patrick because of his life off the course but on the course, the man is exceptionally talented. When you win a major, sometimes it is easy to take your foot off the gas but since then he was posted two Top 10 finishes in three starts. His best finish in the US Open was T13 and he may be best watched as winning two majors back to back is incredibly difficult.
40/1 – HENRIK STENSON
US Open Form – 26-MC-MC-9-29-23-21-4-27-WD-MC
Won the 2016 Open Championship on what will always be remembered as arguably the greatest final round tussle on major Sunday in history. The golf he and Phil Mickelson played that day at Royal Troon was absolutely jaw-dropping. So, we know he is a major champion on a links golf course so the Iceman has to be a contender this week! He has four Top 6 finishes on the PGA Tour this year and that trusty 3-wood will keep him out of trouble this week. It all comes down to his iron game and putting because off the tee he never has any trouble. If he has a good week with the short game, he should fill a Top 10 spot.
40/1 – SERGIO GARCIA
US Open Form – 46-12-4-35-20-3-MC-MC-18-10-22-7-38-45-35-18-5-21
Winning the US Masters is a dream for every budding professional golfer. Sergio went through years and years of heartache to accomplish his dream and he did it last year. Nobody can take that green jacket away from him. However, it is very easy to get complacent when you win a major; Darren Clarke is another example. Sergio has missed four of his last five cuts and finished 70th on the only cut he made. He needs to wake up and start to work hard again. He can’t be advised this week given the form he is in at present. He would be a surprise US Open winner!
40/1 – PHIL MICKELSON
US Open Form – 29-55-MC-47-4-94-43-10-2-16-7-2-55-2-33-2-MC-18-2-4-54-65-2-28-64-MC
This is the only major that has alluded Big Phil and the frustrating thing is he has finished runner-up in the US Open a whopping six times! He has had a good year though, winning for the first time in four years at the WGC Mexico Championships on a track that didn’t suit his game. He loves links golf and proved that when he won the Open Championship back in 2013. This will be the perfect Open Championship warm-up for Phil! His game is in a good place at present, he is very fit and strong for a guy his age. It is impossible to know how he will fare given his unpredictable playing style but it would be no shock to see him win!
50/1 – BRANDEN GRACE
US Open Form – 51-MC-4-5-50
I love watching this South African play. It looks so effortless! He will be well accustomed to links golf too being from his windy homeland. He held the 54 hole lead in the 2015 US Open at the borderline ridiculous Chambers Bay but choked on the back nine on Sunday and ended up in a tie for fourth for a finish. He is a very crisp ball-striker, can hit it a long way and has a fantastic short game. We definitely think he has a chance if he can put it all together! He is a seven time European Tour winner and a winner on the PGA Tour and has no weaknesses.
50/1 – TOMMY FLEETWOOD
US Open Form – 27-4
Probably the most improved player in the world over the past twelve months or so. He has come a long long way since the 2015 European Tour PGA Championship where he got the “Yips” and couldn’t hit the ball off the 15th tee. That was the lowest point of his career but is shows his resilience to come back from it and get to the heights he is soaring at now. A winner of last year’s Race To Dubai, he will be battle-hardened from his PGA Tour exploits this year and the World No. 10 warrants plenty of respect this week on a links style course which he will be well used to growing up in England.
50/1 – BUBBA WATSON
US Open Form – MC-5-MC-18-63-MC-32-MC-MC-51-MC
Bubba had a very tough 2017 but he has bounced back in terrific style in 2018, landing the Genesis Open and World Golf Match-Play already this year. He is a very streaky player but it ultra-entertaining to watch. He is a proper bomber off the tee and can shape the ball any way he likes so the course should suit him.In fact, there is no better wizard when it comes to this sport; he can move a ball like no other man on Tour. His record on links courses wouldn’t be the best so that is my only concern for him this week. Respected but can’t advise him as a bet.
50/1 – PAUL CASEY
US Open Form – MC-MC-WD-15-10-65-MC-40-MC-45-56-39-MC-26
One of the biggest earners on the PGA Tour and never seems to have a bad week but he has only won one PGA Tour event since 2009 and that came in the Valspar Championship this year. You can be sure he will be lounging up near the top of the leaderboard at some point this week but he is not one to trust for win purposes. He might be of interest in the Top 10-20 markets. Course and conditions will be fine, he is well used to links golf. I do have some slight reservations about his hunger when in a strong position. He has lots of ability and should be winning far more tournaments.
55/1 – ADAM SCOTT
US Open Form – MC-MC-MC-28-21-MC-26-36-MC-MC-15-45-9-4-18-MC
37 year old Australian who has won 37 tournaments worldwide including 13 on the PGA Tour and he also won the US Masters back in 2013 to pick up that Green Jacket. Unbelievable player on his day and he has the perfect swing but he has struggled ever since they ditched the long putter. He will be well known for the day he chucked away the Open Championship in 2012, a day that saw Ernie Els snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Course and links golf will be no problem for Adam but his best finish this season has been a T9 in the AT&T Byron Nelson. There are better options.
60/1 – ALEX NOREN
US Open Form – 51-MC-MC-MC
We are expecting a massive week for this Swede at Shinnecock Hills this week and we feel he may be under-estimated by the bookmakers. Tied 6th in the Open Championship last year, this course will be right up his street. He excels on coastal tracks. He has a very low left to right ball flight that looks funny to the eye but it works for him! Now a nine-time European Tour winner, he has yet to make his mark on the PGA Tour or a Major Championship but it looks like his turn is just around the corner. He arrives here in good heart after a solid T3 finish at Wentworth and is one of our leading contenders this week.
66/1 – LOUIS OOSTHUIZEN
US Open Form – MC-9-MC-WD-40-2-23-23
Lodewicus Theodorus Oosthuizen (bet you didn’t know that!) was runner-up in the 2015 US Open, won the Open Championship in 2010, was runner-up in the Masters in 2012 and was runner-up in the USPGA Championship last year so he has a serious major pedigree and is more than capable of winning this if he is on a going week. Like all South Africans, coastal windy links courses suit his game, he is a terrific bunker player and he has a faultless smooth swing. Arrives here off the back of a Top 5 finish in Fort Worth and has to be a contender.
70/1 – MARC LEISHMAN
US Open Form – MC-51-MC-MC-18-27
One of the most improved players on the PGA Tour over the past 12-18 months, Marc is another that has to be respected around here. He grew up playing coastal links courses so the windier the better for this man. He is long enough off the tee and the World No. 16 has had a very solid season without getting his head in front; runner-up in both The CJ Cup and AT&T Byron Nelson, totalling six Top 10 finishes already this year. He is the perfect links player because he can hit the ball very low when needed and a player like him will have an advantage over the American players if conditions deteriorate.
70/1 – WEBB SIMPSON
US Open Form – 14-1-32-45-46-MC-35
US Open champion back in 2012. Another player who really struggled with his game when the long putter ban came into force. He has had to battle through some tough times but he has come out the other side very strong. He was a very impressive winner of The Players Championship, putting brilliantly in the process. I would worry for him on this layout though as he wouldn’t have a huge amount of experience on links courses, like most of the Americans who tend to hit the ball hard and high. If this was a parkland track I would be giving him a stronger chance.
80/1 – MATT KUCHAR
US Open Form – MC-MC-MC-48-MC-6-14-27-28-12-12-46-16
“The Money Man” is one of the most loved men on the PGA Tour but the simple fact is he does not win enough. He has been a Top 10 machine for many years now and there is nothing wrong with his bank balance but when it comes to getting his head in front, he really struggles. You can be sure he will make the cut and may well contend but it’s hard to part money on a player who has thrown away so many “penalty kicks” in the past. What I mean by that is he has had a winning chance on Sunday tonnes of times in the last few years and he rarely takes his chance. He is a 7 time winner on Tour though and certainly is good enough to contend!
80/1 – XANDER SCHAUFFELE
US Open Form – 5
Talented young player who became the only player in U.S. Open history to shoot a bogey-free round of 66 or better on his national championship debut and finished in a tie for 5th which made him exempt for this year. A winner of the Greenbrier Classic in July 2017, he has not looked back since. He went on to win the Tour Championship at the end of the season which opened so many doors for him and the cheque wasn’t too shabby either as he received an extra $2Million for finishing third in the FedEx Cup! Voted rookie of the year last year, he is still improving all the time.
80/1 – BRYSON DECHAMBEAU
US Open Form – MC-15-MC
24 year old Californian who turned professional after the US Masters in 2016. Won the John Deere Classic in 2017 and won the Memorial just a couple of weeks ago so he does arrive here in form. We expected the floodgates to open for the young man nicknamed “The Scientist of the PGA Tour” a long time ago. All of his clubs are the exact same length; yup, his driver is the same length as his putter! Their lie and bounce angle are all the same and he has large grips on them all. It works for him and I admire his drive to try move the game forward from a scientific point of view. Very streaky player, hard to recommend but has a chance if on a going week.
80/1 – PATRICK CANTLAY
US Open Form – 21-41
Was No. 1 amateur in the world before he turned professional in 2012 and earned his PGA Tour card in 2014. I really hope he is not in contention this week because he is the slowest player on the Tour; he is literally PAINFUL to watch. We have a real issue with pace of play at present that needs addressing. Patrick is a fantastic talent, has all the skills required to make it to the top and won his first PGA Tour event in the 2017 Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. He needs to work on his speed of play!!
100/1 – DANIEL BERGER
US Open Form – 28-37-MC
Winner of the FedEx St Jude Classic in both 2016 and 2017 but has failed to build on that promise and has turned into a very inconsistent player, unlike his good mate Justin Thomas who has soared right to World No. 1. He has a very deliberate big high fade swing and that only suits a handful of course on the PGA Tour which might be the reason behind his inconsistencies. He has only missed two cuts all year but he doesn’t get himself into contention enough. Passed over this week.
100/1 – CHARL SCHWARTZEL
US Open Form – 48-30-MC-16-9-38-14-MC-7-23-MC
2011 Masters Champion. Nine time winner on the Sunshine Tour in South Africa so this course and any wind will be no issue for this man. However, he is not the player he once was and he has regressed in recent years. In saying that, his three best finishes of the season have been his last three events; 3rd in the Zurich Classic in New Orleans, T9 in the Wells Fargo Championship and T2 in The Players. Is he peaking at the right time? He may be!
100/1 – TONY FINAU
US Open Form – 14-MC
Very athletic man who was offered scholarships for basketball when he was 17 but he turned it down to follow his golfing dream. Won the Puerto Rico Open in 2016 and he signed a new deal with Ping this year so he will be in good spirits. He was runner-up in both the Safeway Open and Genesis Open this season and impressed on his first US Open start two years back to finish T14. He is a huge hitter off the tee and has to be respected. Outside chance.
100/1 – JIMMY WALKER
US Open Form – 52-MC-9-58-MC-MC
Major champion, victorious in the 2016 USPGA Championship. Jimmy has suffered with an illness over the past year or so but he is finally getting the better of it and is starting to play well again. He contracted Lyme disease which is a nasty virus but thankfully he is coming out the other side of it now and recent results show that with three Top 6 finishes from his last five starts. If he is back on his A-Game this week, he is one to watch out for.
110/1 – FRANCESCO MOLINARI
US Open Form – 27-MC-MC-29-MC-23-27-MC
Italian pocket rocket who won the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth a couple of weeks ago, the flagship tournament on the Eastern side of the Atlantic. I am not so sure this course is ideal for Francesco who prefers a tight, short, narrow layout with small greens where accuracy off the tee and accuracy approaching the greens are of the utmost importance. He would be one of the shorter hitters on tour which might hinder him but 110/1 is a disgraceful price for a player in such great form at present.
125/1 – CAMERON SMITH
US Open Form – 4-59
24 year old Australian who has the tools to go straight to the top. At the age of 21, he finished 4th in the US Open, his first ever major; incredible achievement. Won the Zurich Classic of New Orleans in 2017, partnered with Jonas Blixt in the doubles format. At the end of 2017 he won his native Australian PGA Championship and although he has missed his last three cuts on the PGA Tour, he finished T5 in the US Masters and this course will suit him down to the ground. Respected.
125/1 – TYRRELL HATTON
US Open Form – MC
Three-time European Tour winner and a man with a ferocious temper, Tyrrell Hatton will love Shinnecock Hills. His first European Tour win came in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St. Andrews. He successfully defended that event a year later so he has a clear understanding and liking for this type of course. His attitude and temperament lets him down sometimes and it is something he needs to work on. Nobody can question his hunger though and we predict great things for this man, who is still just 26 years old.
125/1 – KEVIN CHAPPELL
US Open Form – 3-10-32-46-MC-23
Sole win on the PGA Tour came in the Valero Texas Open in 2017. Best finish in a major was in the 2013 US Open where he finished in a tie for 3rd. Arrives here in poor form with three missed cuts from his last four events. Top 20 contender if at his best.
125/1 – CHARLEY HOFFMAN
US Open Form – 45-45-MC-37-8
Best finish in a major championship came in the US Open in 2017. Birdie machine when he is on song but struggles to put four good rounds together most weeks and has bottled a lead on more than one occasion. Links golf would also be a concern.
125/1 – RAFAEL CABRERA-BELLO
US Open Form – 47-MC-32-42
Best major championship finish came in the Open Championship 2017 where he finished in a tie for 4th. The Spaniard hits the ball a long way and has an exceptional short game. Enjoys coastal links courses and he has had two Top 5 finishes on the PGA Tour this year along with four Top 10 finishes on the European Tour. Might surprise a few!
125/1 – BRIAN HARMAN
US Open Form – MC-MC-2
Left handed player and probably the smallest player on the PGA Tour but he shows size means nothing as he sends the ball a long way out there and he can mix it with the best in the world. He was runner-up in this event last year but has to show he can handle a unique test of golf this time round. Outside chance.
125/1 – ADAM HADWIN
US Open Form – 39-MC-60
Won the Valspar Championship in 2017. Best major finish was T24 in the US Masters this year. Yet to miss a cut this season on the PGA Tour which is remarkable but he would be a shock winner here. Avoid for betting purposes.
125/1 – EMILIANO GRILLO
US Open Form – 54-MC
Streaky Argentinian player who blows hot or cold but there has been a lot to like about his recent performances and he is no forlorn hope here this week. He has posted three Top 10 finishes from his last six PGA Tour events which include a 3rd in the Houston Open and a 3rd in the Fort Worth Invitational. Rapidly improving player.
125/1 – KEVIN NA
US Open Form – MC-MC-29-12-46-7-32
American/Korean player who tends to save his best performances for the major championships. He has yet to win one but he has been very consistent; T12 in the Masters twice, 7th in the US Open in 2016 and T10 in the USPGA Championship a few years back too. He tends to get the Yips when he is in a winning position which is a real problem. His nerves let him down. One to avoid for win purposes but he might figure.
125/1 – KIRADECH APHIBARNRAT
US Open Form – MC
Talented player from Thailand who can hit the ball a long way off the tee and he will be well familiar to a links layout as he was victorious in the Paul Lawrie Match-Play in Scotland. He is very likely to come up well short here but he is not to be heavily under-estimated. He was T15 in The Masters in 2016 and comes here in form
125/1 – KYLE STANLEY
US Open Form – MC-53-MC-73
Twice a winner on the PGA Tour, Kyle Stanley arrives here off the back of a solid runner-up finish in the Memorial behind Bryson Dechambeau, losing in a play-off. That was his fourth Top 10 finish of the year and he is finding some consistency this year, something he hasn’t been too familiar with. One of the players at a big price that could contend for a Top 10 spot.
125/1 – BYEONG-HUN AN
US Open Form – MC-MC-23-MC
Was involved in the three-way Memorial play-off a couple of weeks ago with Kyle Stanley and Bryson Dechambeau. The 26 year old from Seoul in South Korea has all the attributes to contend here this week. His biggest success to date came in the BMW PGA Championship in 2015. The course would be a slight concern for me but at the prices I wouldn’t put anyone off him!
150/1 – JASON DUFNER
US Open Form – MC-40-62-33-MC-4-4-MC-18-8-MC
Overcame a bad marriage split to now just be outside the world Top 50 in the rankings. He is having a rock solid season on Tour with two Top 5 finishes from his last four events which include a runner-up finish in New Orleans. 2013 USPGA Champion so knows what it takes to win a major but links isn’t his game.
150/1 – BRANDT SNEDEKER
US Open Form – MC-23-9-MC-8-11-17-9-8-MC-9
Looks vastly overpriced here. All you have to do is look at his results in the US Open above which have been remarkably consistent. Brandt excels in the wind and was T3 in the Open Championship in 2012 so links golf is no issue. Couldn’t put anyone off having a bet on this man at such large odds even if he isn’t having the best of seasons.
150/1 – MATTHEW FITZPATRICK
US Open Form – 48-54-35
Best finishes on the European Tour this season have been a T3 finish in Dubai and a T8 finish in the BMW PGA Championships at Wentworth a couple of weeks ago. He has played a bit on the PGA Tour too this season but nothing of note has happened for him. Will probably fall well short here.
150/1 – IAN POULTER
US Open Form – MC-57-12-36-WD-18-47-MC-41-21-17-54
Self-taught player who has made a remarkable career for himself through hard work and determination as he is not the most naturally gifted. Got his PGA Tour card by the skin of his teeth this year and then went on to win the Houston Open. Generally one to keep away from in stroke-play events as he is more suited to matchplay. This course might prove too long and testing for him. Top 20 would be a great result.
150/1 – SHANE LOWRY
US Open Form – MC-MC-9-2-46
Irish player who has gone into massive decline since his WGC Bridgestone victory in 2015. Very fond of the Guinness apparently. He needs to knuckle down and get his game back because he will lose his card next year if he isn’t very careful. Love the player but he has been very disappointing in recent months. One to avoid for betting purposes.
150/1 – ZACH JOHNSON
US Open Form – 48-MC-MC-45-MC-MC-77-30-41-MC-40-72-8-27
Two-time major winner, winning the Masters in 2007 and Open Championship in 2015. A twelve time winner on the PGA Tour, Zach is a world class player on his day but he is only suited to certain courses. St. Andrews is a short links course that suited his strong short game down to the ground. He may struggle with the length of this course as he is pretty short off the tee and his record in the US Open is far from inspiring.
150/1 – MARTIN KAYMER
US Open Form – 53-MC-8-39-15-59-1-MC-37-35
Bounced right back to form with a T8 finish in the Italian Open a couple of weeks ago but there is no doubt Kaymer has really struggled with his game ever since he sank that winning putt for Europe in the Ryder Cup in Medinah. The former World No. 1 and major champion won the 2014 US Open by 8 strokes. We won’t see that happen here this week, that’s for sure.
150/1 – KEVIN KISNER
US Open Form – MC-12-49-58
Kisner has a shocking record putting on POA greens and that alone has put me right off him for the US Open. The two-time PGA Tour winner has a tremendous wedge game but everything looks stacked against him this week even if he is the World No. 30!
150/1 – AARON WISE
US Open Form – MC
Had to play a sectional qualifier to book his place here this week but he got through it and deserves his place in the field. I would be very surprised if he was up to contending here though! He has had a decent few weeks, winning the AT&T Byron Nelson and was second in the Wells Fargo Championship a week prior but he has missed his last two cuts and he will be mixing it with the cream of the crop this week!
150/1 – LUKE LIST
US Open Form – MC-MC-MC
Absolute bomber off the tee which is always an advantage around a lengthy course. He also has four Top 10 finishes on the PGA Tour this season which include a runner-up finish in the Honda Classic. Although he has limited experience on a links style course, I give him a squeak this week if he can drive it straight! His putting has really let him down of late though, that part of his game needs to improve, and quick.
150/1 – SI-WOO KIM
US Open Form – 13
22 year old Korean player who is having a very steady year under the radar. He is still extremely young and is a player to watch over the next couple of years as he gains in confidence and experience. He has made seven cuts in a row on Tour and has two Top 3 finishes this season without winning. A fearless young player and he may well surprise a few! Played well in this last year.
150/1 – PETER UIHLEIN
US Open Form – MC-MC
US Open Form – Improving American player who finished T5 in the Memorial a couple of weeks ago. He went and learned his trade the hard way on the European Tour and that could stand to him in the coming years. He realised he wasn’t good enough for the PGA Tour at the time and it is starting to pay dividends. Huge hitter off the tee, will be confident, used to these conditions, again might shock a few and contend!
160/1 – RUSSELL HENLEY
US Open Form – 16-42-MC-60-MC-27
Streaky player but few are better than him with the putter which is always a great asset to have. Won the Sony Open with a score of -24 on his PGA Tour debut a few years ago. Had a Top 15 finish in The Masters and if he has another good week with that short stick this week, then he has to be a contender come Sunday but his tee to green play can let him down.
200/1 – GRAEME MCDOWELL
US Open Form – 80-48-30-18-1-14-2-MC-28-MC-18-MC
Had a couple of poor seasons self-admittedly down to other business ventures he had ongoing at the time but he looks pretty focused and determined to get back to winning ways at this sport this year. A T12 finish at Wentworth and a T5 finish in the Italian Open gives him something to build on. Will be well used to links courses from his time growing up in Northern Ireland (his home course was Portrush, arguably the most brutal test of links golf on the planet), was the US Open winner in 2010 and deserves some respect at the very least.
200/1 – GARY WOODLAND
US Open Form – 47-MC-23-MC-52-MC-50
One of the bigger hitters on Tour so that is one positive for this man around this course. A three-time winner on the PGA Tour, he won the Waste Management Pheonix Open earlier this year. He without doubt has the game to contend but is far too inconsistent so we will have to pass him over!
200/1 – CHESSON HADLEY
US Open Form – Debut
Won his first and only PGA Tour event in the Puerto Rico Open 2014 on the Trump International course. Lost his PGA Tour card at the end of the 2016 season and had to spend a year on the Web.com Tour. He had a terrific year and earned his PGA Tour card again for this season. Looks out of his depth here on his US Open debut.
200/1 – ADAM HADWIN
US Open Form – 39-MC-60
30 year old Canadian with one PGA Tour win to his name; The Valspar Championship in 2017. Shot a 59 in the 2017 CareerBuilder Challenge, a tournament where he finished runner-up. Clearly has a huge amount of ability but struggles to put four good rounds together and up against the very best in the world, you need to put four good ones together!
200/1 – BRENDAN STEELE
US Open Form – MC-15-13
Won his first PGA Tour event in 2011 and had to wait an agonising five years to win his next one in 2016, the Safeway Open in California. He successfully defended his crown in 2017. This course has to be a worry for him. His wins seem to come in the basking sunshine. He has a poor record on links courses. Others are more persuasive.
200/1 – HAOTONG LI
US Open Form – 68
Interesting contender in my eyes. Finished 3rd in the Open Championship last year, a remarkable performance in his first links major. The 22 year old from China won his native China Open in 2016 and won the Dubai Desert Classic in 2018 against a strong field of players. He is not to be under-estimated, he is a future star potentially.
200/1 – PAT PEREZ
US Open Form – MC-40-MC-36
Three time PGA Tour winner from Phoenix Arizona and a player I really admire but he is seen to best effect on the west coast in hot climates on parkland courses. A birdie machine when on song, he has a ferocious temper when things aren’t going his way and that is very off-putting for a major where you have to keep your cool when things go wrong.
200/1 – BILL HAAS
US Open Form – MC-40-23-MC-MC-35-MC-51-5
Vastly experienced 36 year old with six PGA Tour wins to his name. He had a Top 10 finish in the Open Championship in 2016, is a terrific ball-striker and is a very steady player tee to green. Experience goes a long way in majors. Finished 5th in this last year and isn’t one to be written off completely.
250/1 – CHEZ REAVIE
US Open Form – MC-62-45-MC-16
Doesn’t have the greatest record in majors but has had the cut seven times from thirteen events. His sole win on the PGA Tour came in the 2008 Canadian Open. Surely way out of his depth in this line-up!
250/1 – ROSS FISHER
US Open Form – MC-5-MC-MC
This course makes it a level playing field for everyone. The Americans have home advantage but the course layout is something the Europeans will be very used to. Ross has played links golf all his life. Had a Top 10 finish at Wentworth. Should come up a bit short but respected nonetheless.
275/1 – PATRICK RODGERS
US Open Form – 46
Yet to win on the PGA Tour. Best finish of the season came at the Memorial a couple of weeks ago when tied 8th. Impossible to recommend for a US Open! Simply not good enough.
275/1 – SHUBHANKAR SHARMA
US Open Form – Debut
Had a terrific start to the wraparound season with wins in the Maybank Championship and Joburg Open which resulted in an invite to The Masters. He missed the cut there but it was great experience for him. This course will be too long and unfamiliar for him but he is entitled to his place in the field.