2024 US Open Golf Championship - June 13-16th Preview
As we look ahead to the third men's major golf tournament of the year, we turn our attention to Pinehurst No.2 at the Pinehurst Resort and Country Club. Designed by Donald Ross in 1907, this course will hold the US Open for the fourth time in 25 years but for the first time since 2014.
The US Open is typically known for being the toughest test in golf, with long courses, narrow fairways and heavy rough, However, this course will play slightly differently. It's still long, Measuring 7,540 yards (par 70), but unlike the previous major, The PGA Championships at Valhalla, this course is a little more forgiving off the tee with much wider fairways.
It is, however, very well guarded with strategically placed bunkers. There also won't be the typical long rough but instead, wire grass plants and sandy areas which will create difficult lies and unpredictable ball flight. I don't see this being a massively low-scoring affair, so precise approach play and a near-perfect short game will be required.
The only major change since the previous US Open held here in 2014 is that of Champion ultradwarf Bermuda grass greens instead of Bent grass greens. This will definitely firm up the greens, which will make this course tough, and focus again on precise approach play from the fairway, especially as many of the greens are crowned, causing shots that are short to roll off the green, leaving difficult chip shots to recover. Overall, this course is going to play firm and fast, with the greens expected to be rolling at 13+ on the Stimpmeter.
US Open Betting Tips and Predictions
Bryson DeChambeau EW 18/1 Coral ⅕ 1,2,3,4,5,6
With the golfing world currently being dominated by Scottie Scheffler, it's really hard to make a case against him, but his price is so short at 4/1, I think we can find some value elsewhere.
The first name on that list is 2020 US Open Champion Bryson DeChambeau. He's really coming back into form this season after being slightly written off after his move to LIV.
With a 6th and a 2nd place finish in the first two Majors of the year he will again be a huge threat coming into this week. He's striking the ball really well again, and his stats at Valhalla reflected that where he was T1 in strokes gained overall.
His length off the tee will also play a big part at Pinehurst, and if he can keep hitting fairways, we should see him play a really big role in this year's US Open.
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Collin Morikawa EW 18/1 AK Bets ⅕ 1,2,3,4,5,6
My second pick is Collin Morikawa, another player who's been very consistent in the Majors so far this year, finishing T3 at the Masters and T4 at the PGA Championships.
He is coming into this tournament on the back of three straight top 5s and a close 2nd last week at the Memorial, 1 shot back from the superior Scottie Scheffler.
His stats this season are also impressive; he's ranked 8th in overall strokes gained, 11th in strokes gained: tee to green, 10th in strokes gained around the green, and he's ranked 1st overall in driving accuracy.
A previous winner of The Open and the PGA Championships, he knows how to get it done on hard golf courses. If Morikawa can get his putting going, then all the stats suggest he will be very much in the mix come Sunday.
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Hideki Matsuyama EW 45/1 Unibet ⅕ 1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Matsuyama, based on stats this season, should be a huge threat at this year's US Open, especially with it being played at Pinehurst. He comes into this event ranked 1st in strokes gained: around the green, ranked 3rd in strokes gained: tee to green and 6th overall in strokes gained.
This gives us a great indication of his form around and into the greens, which will certainly be required on this course.
If Matsuyama can putt well, which is notoriously the weakest part of his game, he will, without doubt, have a big chance of winning his 2nd major title. The Japanese star has also had another solid season, with 4 top 10s in 12 events and a win coming back in February at the Genesis Invitational.
I expect him to do well this week and his price looks even more inviting based on the stats we have mentioned.
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Tony Finau EW 60/1 Bet Victor ¼ 1,2,3,4,5
The big-hitting American is another player who looks in solid form stats-wise this season. He's 16th overall in strokes gained, 4th in strokes gained on approach to the green, and 10th in strokes gained on tee to green.
Results have been hard to come by this season, with just three top 10s in 15 events played, but he did have a T8 at the Memorial last week. His putting is the worry; he ranks 142nd overall, which is clearly the reason for his lack of results. If he can get his putter working, then he’ll no doubt be a threat to this year's US Open.
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Sepp Straka EW 125/1 Star Sports ⅕ 1,2,3,4,5,6
The 31-year-old Austrian looks to be a big outsider based on the 125/1 odds, but I can really see him being in the mix come Sunday.
Although he doesn't hit the ball a long way off the tee, he's ranked 2nd in driving accuracy, hitting 77.26% of fairways, which will be a big weapon on this golf course, and if he can improve on his putting and strokes gained around the green, he can easily threaten here.
He's coming to Pinehurst in some great form after 3 tops in his last 6 events, including a T5 at the Memorial last week on a very testing golf course.
Straka is also sat 10th in the FedEXCup standings, showing what a solid season he's having so far. Although not a typical pick, I think the odds are too big to ignore, especially given his form.
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Former professional dart player. I enjoy writing about darts, golf and football. 2012 PDC World Youth Champion. Norwich City Supporter.