The 124th US Open
Overview
Dates: June 13, 2024 to June 16, 2024
Location: Pinehurst, North Carolina
Course: Pinehurst No. 2
Course Par: 70
Course Length: 7548
Prize Purse: $25000000
The 124th US Open is being held at Pinehurst No.2 this week. It is notoriously difficult and will present a very different test than that of LA Country club last year, where Wyndham Clark registered his first major.
Preview
If you thought last week at Memorial was tough, then get ready for an even tougher test.
The US Open has been held at Pinehurst No.2, 3 times previously. In 1999 Payne Stewart famously won only to tragically lose his life in a plane crash a few months later. It was next held in 2005 where New Zealander, Michael Campbell held off Tiger by 2 shots with score of even par. In 2014, German Martyn Kaymer opened with a flawless pair of 65’s, utilising his trademark fade and never really looked in trouble winning by 8 shots.
With all that said, the course is very different in 2024 and will present the toughest of US Open tests. The winning score will most likely low single figures.
Outrights
| Player | Points | Type | UK Odds | Places | Outright US Odds |
| Bryson DeChambeau | 5 | Each Way | 18/1 | 8 | +2000 |
| Hideki Matsuyama | 3 | Each Way | 40/1 | 12 | +4500 |
| Tony Finau | 2.5 | Each Way | 50/1 | 10 | +7000 |
| Cory Connors | 1.5 | Each Way | 70/1 | 10 | +9000 |
| Sungjae Im | 1.5 | Each Way | 80/1 | 8 | +9000 |
| Christiaan Bezeuidenhout | 1 | Each Way | 110/1 | 8 | +12000 |
| Aaron Rai | 1 | Each Way | 175/1 | 8 | +25000 |
30% of all bets last week in the US were placed on Scottie Scheffler. While we anticipate a similar situation, we are less inclined to take that bet this week. He is priced around 3.5-4/1, and the only viable option seems to be a win-only bet. The course is expected to be challenging, magnifying any mistakes. Scottie seemed shaky on the back 9 on Sunday. Better play from Morikawa could have led to a different outcome. While we wouldn’t be surprised if Scottie won, our confidence isn’t as high as in previous weeks.
The course is set to pose a tough challenge, with approach and scrambling being critical metrics. Scottie leads the approach stats, but Hideki Matsuyama tops the scrambling stats, emphasizing the importance of short game skills. Aside from Bryson and Aaron Rai, who were absent last week, the rest of our picks performed well, all finishing in the top 20. Strong performances at a demanding course like Memorial last week should boost confidence and influence our decisions this week.
Our top pick is Bryson DeChambeau with a 5-point Each Way bet at 18/1, with 8 places available. As a previous US Open winner and excelling in all disciplines, Bryson’s current form and comfort with his game make him a strong contender, especially with his proficiency out of rough conditions.
Next, we have Hideki Matsuyama as our second pick with a 3-point Each Way bet at 40/1, with 12 places (T8 last week). His recent form and impressive scrambling skills make him a solid choice for this week’s challenge.
Coming in at third place is Tony Finau with a 2.5-point Each Way bet at 50/1, with 10 places (also T8 last week). Tony’s under-the-radar performance last week could make him a surprise contender if his putting game holds up.
In fourth place is Cory Connors (T20 last week) with a 1.5-point Each Way bet at 70/1, with 10 places. Cory’s strong performances in Majors, well-documented ball-striking skills, and favorable odds make him a compelling option.
Our fifth pick is Sungjae Im, another T8 finisher last week. The 1.5-point Each Way bet at 80/1, with 8 places, offers excellent value given his recent form and performance.
Our final two long shots are Christian Beizuidenhout with a 1-point Each Way bet at 110/1, with 8 places. His strong performances align well with the demands of the course. Finally, Aaron Rai, with a 1-point Each Way bet at 175/1, with 8 places, presents an intriguing choice due to his approach stats suiting this week’s challenge.