2016 PGA: U.S. Open Preview & Betting Tips

2016 PGA: U.S. Open

Where: Oakmont Country Club, Pennsylvania
When: Thursday 16th June (8:45pm first tee)
Purse: $10,000,000

The U.S. Open. “Where the rough is deep, the greens slick, and the nerves shattered”.

Oakmont Country Club will set the stage for the 116^th U.S. Open. Oakmont has hosted this major on eight other occasions and it usually ends in dramatic fashion. No finish was more dramatic than the 1973 U.S. Open, where Johnny Miller shot a final round 63 and went on to cement his name in the record books. To this day, it is still the best final round in a Major. However, don’t expect scores like that.

This course will be diabolical.

2007 was the last time the U.S. Open was held at Oakmont. The winning score was 5 over. That was the year Angel Cabrera beat Tiger Woods by one shot. So don’t expect any one to finish greater than 6 under. If they do, it will be the lowest score in U.S. Open history (at Oakmont). The other Major winners here include Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, and Ernie Els. As you can see the cream rises to the top when Oakmont hosts the U.S. Open.

The ole Pennsylvania farm land was a perfect spot for a “links-style” course. Instead of water hazards and trees. The Oakmont golf course defends itself with blind tee shots, over 200 bunkers, slick greens and rough(rough) and more rough. There are at least five par 4’s that measure 475 yards long and a couple of Par 3’s around 230 yards. This tournament may not be as glamorous as the Masters but it’s certainly a tougher test. Par is a fantastic score.

I have read lots of articles in the lead up to the U.S. Open. Everybody seems to be looking for an “Angle in” by breaking down statistics. Such as Driving Accuracy, Greens in Regulation, Strokes gained putting etc. etc. I have no problem with this method for regular PGA tournaments, but this is no regular tournament. If we look at the history of Oakmont’s U.S. Opens. It keeps producing “big name” players and players with multiple Majors. Therefore, until local qualifiers such as “Tin Cup” start winning the U.S. Open I will be sticking with the big names.

Jason Day

Taking the tournament favourite is not going to be profitable when betting golf long term. However, Jason Day has all the attributes you need to win a U.S. Open. His odds of $7.50 may seem low but he is winning approximately 1 out of 4 tournaments he enters this season. There have been reports that Jason Day is ill. Which feels like Déjà vu considering Day collapsed this time last year in the second round of the U.S. Open. He looked fine and very focused today in the practice round. Something to keep an eye on though.
Tip: Jason Day to win the U.S. Open - $7.50 at CrownBet 
+ $8 for Jason Day or Adam Scott to win - $8 at Ladbrokes (max bet $20)

Jordan Spieth

Picking the number one and two ranked golfers in the world probably seems like a cop out. I honestly believe these two will develop a modern day rivalry. Such as Hogan and Snead, Nicklaus and Palmer or Tiger and Phil. They are both so driven and focused when it comes to the Majors. Spieth’s win at the Dean & Deluca in May proved he has recovered from the Masters Meltdown. He also gets an early tee time on day 1 which could be helpful.
Tip: Jordan Spieth to win the U.S. Open - $9.00 at CrownBet

Phil Mickelson

This is a “heart” bet. If you don’t know, Phil Mickelson needs just the U.S. Open to complete the career grand slam. He has finished in agonizing 2^nd place a whopping six times at the U.S. Open. He is once again in top form leading in to Oakmont. He is one of my favourite golfers of all-time and at $29 I would be kicking myself if Phil was in the mix on Sunday.
Tip: Phil Mickelson to win the U.S. Open - $29 at CrownBet
+ Mickelson to finish in Top 5 (probably 2nd) - $6.50 at CrownBet