The U.S. Open returns to Torrey Pines in southern California this week for the first time since Tiger Woods’ famous victory on one leg.
Jon Rahm is all the rage for this tournament. The Spaniard produced a stunning round of golf to take a six-shot lead after the third round at the Memorial Tournament a couple of weeks ago, only to have to pull out after testing positive for Covid. He has been cleared to play this week after two negative tests in 24 hours, and he will be looking to continue where he left off, especially given his affinity with the course. It was here that he claimed his first PGA Tour win in 2017. However, he is extremely short in the market, at 9/1, and we don’t think that offers value.
We like Viktor Hovland, as we’ve said on numerous occasions this year, but he needs to chip and putt better to compete at the very top of the leaderboard in this elite company. We also think that Collin Morikawa’s steady play could yield dividends in this type of event.
All that said, the defending champion is Bryson de Chambeau, who won last year at Winged Foot, New York, excelling from the rough after hitting the ball as far as possible from the tee. The only other player who did not end that tournament over par was fellow big hitter Matthew Wolff.
The rough here at Torrey Pines will also be thick, and it’s difficult to see why the same approach can’t work again, especially off a healthy 18/1.
Our each way selection is cut from similar long-hitting cloth, Will Zalatoris. The young American has been plenty very well, chasing home Hideki Matsuyama at Augusta, finishing sixth at Winged Foot and eighth at Kiawah Island. Zalatoris lives in Texas, but he comes from California and will be relishing this return to the west coast, especially after finishing a very good seventh in the Farmers on this course in January.
This being a major, we’re going to take another each way punt, and this is a little on the sentimental side.
One of our favourite golfers Lee Westwood was married last week and has been in good form on the PGA Tour. He finished third here the last time the U.S. Open was played here, yet goes off at a very healthy price. Here’s hoping his new wife receives a very special wedding gift.
Recommendations:
De Chambeau to win, 1 pt, at 18/1, bet365
Zalatoris 0.5 pts each way at 50/1, 1/5 the odds for the first 6 places, BetVictor
Westwood 0.5 pts each way at 150/1, 1/5 the odds for the 7 places, Unibet
