The lowdown on the eight frontrunners for the US Open
Published:
Golfing eyes turn to Wisconsin this weekend, as the second Major of 2017 takes place with the US Open at Erin Hills.
As always, all the big names are at the sharp end of the betting, so it’s time we gave the lowdown on the lot of them.
So, let’s tee off…
Dustin Johnson @ 8/1
Of course Dustin Johnson leads the way. DJ Is the reigning champion having finally broken his Major duck 12 months ago.
And he boasts a second from 2015 and fourth from 2014 too.
The American was in sensational form before his fall at the Masters, but thankfully has shown no ill-effect since his comeback.
Oh, and it’s worth noting that Erin Hills is the second-longest US Open course in history…
Jason Day @ 14/1
Jason Day is arguably the best US Open player of the last five years.
The Australian has posted a ninth, an eighth, a fourth and two seconds since 2011, so is this his year?
It hasn’t been easy for him in 2017, he’s yet to win a tournament and his mother underwent cancer surgery in April.
But Day was second in last month’s Bryon Nelson, and came home in the top 15 in the Memorial Tournament.
Jordan Spieth @ 14/1
Many are comparing this weekend’s Erin Hills challenge to the one faced two years ago at Chambers Bay.
And who came out on top during that notorious weekend in Washington? Jordan Spieth did.
Amazingly that’s still his last Major win, but he has posted three top-four finishes since.
Has bounced back after missed cuts at the Players and Byron Nelson with a runner-up in the Dean & Deluca and 13th in the Memorial.
Rory McIlroy @ 14/1
Rory McIlroy skipped the Memorial to nurse his rib injury, but there should be few concerns this weekend.
Arguably of greater interest is the news that the Northern Irishman will be using a new putter for the first time.
Rory has only taken part in six events this year due to that troublesome rib, but he’s made positive comments in this week’s press, and has already spent the best part of a week in Wisconsin learning the course.
Jon Rahm @ 20/1
So many people fancied Jon Rahm to sweep all aside at the US Masters in April, and perhaps the pressure told as a triple-bogey on the final hole brought a few tears from the Spaniard.
But Rahm has been buoyed by compatriot Sergio Garcia’s long-awaited success, and now with the experience of a Slam under his belt, should be a much steadier contender this weekend.
The 22-year-old is in decent nick too, finishing fourth at Wells Fargo and second at the Dean & Deluca.
Rickie Fowler @ 20/1
A dismal back nine on the final day in Augusta ruined Fowler’s hopes of a first Major, but for much of that weekend he was firmly in the mix.
Does have a US Open second and tenth to his name, and though he missed the cut in last weekend’s St Jude Classic, came home runner-up in the preceding Memorial.
Justin Rose @ 25/1
A man with eight top-five finishes in Majors will always be fancied, and it’s no wonder Justin Rose is among the favourites here.
The Englishman came oh-so-close to his first Green Jacket in April, and has said this week that a calm approach will prevail.
That’s something Rose excels in, so despite not playing often since the Masters, should be in contention come Sunday afternoon.
Sergio Garcia @ 25/1
This is the very first Major where we can call Sergio Garcia a big-four winner.
The Spaniard’s famous Masters success was applauded across the globe, and can now enter every Major with the monkey firmly off his back.
Could he double-up and win this weekend? His form book has been consistent, with a 30th at the Players (only ruined by a final day 78), a 20th at Byron Nelson, and 12th at the Dean & Deluca.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
