My 2019 US Open Picks
Well another Major Championship has arrived in the US Open, and while I didn’t get to post my PGA Championship picks (I blame the change in schedule), I wanted to get some up for the US Open for all of my fellow gamblers out there. My Master’s picks weren’t the greatest, but had I put up my PGA picks, I would’ve done pretty darn good if I say so myself. Nonetheless, here’s who I have this week for my US Open Picks!
Front Runners – Brooks Koepka (6/1)
Look, this has to be a no brainer. The guy plays better than anyone in Major Championships, he’s coming off of a dominant performance at the PGA at a TOUGH Bethpage Black Course. What’s not to like with this pick? Regardless of the low odds and the fact that everyone in your pool is going to pick it, it’d be wise to do the same. If he’s on his game, nobody will beat him regardless of him almost blowing it for that short few hole window at the PGA. My money is on him to win his 3rd US Open in a row.
Alternate Pick – Rory McIlroy (12/1): I get it, Rory hasn’t won a Major since 2014 and has been very underwhelming in Majors. He tends to choke on Sunday. But he just put a 7-shot pounding on the field at the RBC Canadian Open off of a missed cut, and shot 9-under on Sunday. I think he’s ready to contend at Pebble this week.
Middle of the Pack – Francesco Molinari (25/1)
If you can get Molinari at 25/1, take him. He’s been the second best golfer to Koepka this last year, and the guy is nails. Sure, he blew it at Augusta, but he also had to deal with mock-turtle neck Tiger, whom I don’t think will make any noise this week. Molinari’s a steady machine and I think he’ll have a great showing this week at Pebble Beach.
Alternate Pick – Adam Scott (30/1): After a second-place finish at the Memorial, Scott showed he’s still got it at 38 years of age. He’s fourth on Tour in strokes gained this year, and in the top 25 for each individual strokes gained category. I think he’s a solid pick in this range, and almost took him over Molinari in this category. I don’t think you’ll go wrong with either one.
Long Shots – Henrik Stenson (70/1) and Graeme McDowell (125/1)
This is always the hardest group to pick from (duh), and if you’re in a pool, you just need these guys to make the cut. Stenson will do that (I think). He’s got only one missed cut in his last five US Opens, with the other four starts being top-30s (T-6 last year). Oh, and he’s first in strokes gained on approaches, which will be huge at Pebble this week.
G-Mac seems to be one of those “hot” sleeper picks because he won a US Open at Pebble Beach. While I think that’s important, G-Mac is having a bit of a resurgence in his game and had a solid showing at the PGA Championship. His top-10 strokes gained putting ranking will help if he gets his putter going.
Full Odds List via Vegas Insider
Brooks Koepka 6/1
Dustin Johnson 7/1
Tiger Woods 10/1
Rory McIlroy 12/1
Jordan Spieth 16/1
Justin Rose 16/1
Justin Thomas 20/1
Patrick Cantlay 20/1
Francesco Molinari 25/1
Jason Day 25/1
Jon Rahm 25/1
Rickie Fowler 25/1
Phil Mickelson 27/1
Tommy Fleetwood 28/1
Xander Schauffele 28/1
Adam Scott 30/1
Hideki Matsuyama 30/1
Bryson DeChambeau 33/1
Tony Finau 35/1
Paul Casey 40/1
Louis Oosthuizen 55/1
Matt Kuchar 55/1
Sergio Garcia 60/1
Bubba Watson 66/1
Gary Woodland 66/1
Marc Leishman 66/1
Martin Kaymer 66/1
Patrick Reed 66/1
Webb Simpson 66/1
Henrik Stenson 70/1
Shane Lowry 80/1
Alex Noren 100/1
Branden Grace 100/1
Brandt Snedeker 100/1
Matthew Fitzpatrick 100/1
Cameron Smith 110/1
Ian Poulter 110/1
Kevin Kisner 110/1
Tyrrell Hatton 120/1
Billy Horschel 125/1
Daniel Berger 125/1
Eddie Pepperell 125/1
Graeme McDowell 125/1
Jimmy Walker 125/1
Keegan Bradley 125/1
Rafa Cabrera Bello 125/1
Si Woo Kim 125/1
Zach Johnson 125/1
Thorbjorn Olesen 130/1
Luke List 140/1
Aaron Wise 150/1
Brian Harman 150/1
Byeong-Hun An 150/1
Cameron Champ 150/1
Charl Schwartzel 150/1
Charley Hoffman 150/1
Emiliano Grillo 150/1
Kevin Na 150/1
Kyle Stanley 150/1
Kiradech Aphibarnrat 175/1
Danny Willett 200/1
Jason Dufner 200/1
Peter Uihlein 200/1
Russell Henley 200/1
Steve Stricker 200/1
Again, I haven’t had the best track record on these things, but hey, gamblers gonna gamble. Good luck to you all and enjoy the tournament. And as always, “anyone but Patrick Reed!”.
