US Open Tips & Predictions: DJ to crown super summer with second major
It's major week and golf tipster Russell Palmer is back with three predictions for this week's US Open from Winged Foot, New York.
- Dustin Johnson - 3pts win @ odds of 17/2 with William Hill.
- Xander Schauffele - 1pt each-way @ odds of 16/1 with Bet365 (8 places).
- Viktor Hovland - 0.5pts each-way @ odds of 60/1 with Bet365 (8 places).
It's high time for DJ to double his 'Major' haul!
The US Open gets underway at Winged Foot on Thursday, in what looks like being a brutal test for the world's best golfers.
In theory, this is the first major of the season, given it was postponed from its original date in June and the PGA Tour season started last week. With the Masters taking place in November, we're going to be treated to six major tournaments in the next 12 months.
What better place to start for Dustin Johnson to add to the one major championship he has to his name than this week.
The world's best golfer has been on absolute fire, with two tournament wins since the PGA Tour restarted in June, plus form figures of 2-1-2-3 in his last four starts.
Like the majority of market leaders, Johnson took last week off having finished the season as the FedEx Cup winner, so comes here pretty fresh to a tournament he won in 2016.
Amazingly, the victory at Oakmont is Johnson's only major win and there's been plenty of missed chances down the years. Truth is though, DJ has looked a different beast in the last six weeks and the player who couldn't convert a 54 hole lead just a month ago in the USPGA, looks so much more primed to do so this week if landing in the same spot.
At 17/2 with William Hill in the US Open betting, I'd advising a win only bet to three times your usual stake (3 points).
With no Brooks Koepka in this week's field due to injury it's one less obstacle for Johnson to overcome, the American has five top ten finishes including the 2016 victory in his last 10 visits to the US Open.
The 36-year-old is 66 under par for his last four tournaments, which is a phenomenal return, especially giving he finished just -4 when second place in the BMW Championship three weeks ago, where only five players would finish under par.
To compliment Johnson this week I've had a couple of stabs at bigger prices. Xander Schauffele is absolutely primed for a major victory and could take inspiration from Collin Morikawa's maiden win in the USPGA Championship last month.
The 26 year old has had seven top tens in 2020 and was technically the winner last time out in the Tour Championship, although Dustin Johnson gets the official win.
Schauffele had the lowest 72 hole score but the FedEx Cup was a staggered start, with Johnson finishing a couple of shots clear based on his head start.
The Californian has been super consistent since the return of the Tour, yet to miss a cut he has four top tens. Add to that three top tens from three starts in the US Open, Schauffele ticks so many boxes this week.
This week's test is going to be tough. Measuring over 7,400 yards, this Par 70 track was host to the US Open in 2006 where Geoff Ogilvy won on five over par.
Schauffele is strong off the tee which is going to be required, ranking top ten for shots gained off the tee, whilst also ranking 7th for shots gained tee to green and 3rd on the PGA Tour for shots gained total.
At 16/1 with Bet365 this week paying each-way 8 places he's a solid each-way play.
For my last pick I've gone for another young player who is an excellent ball striker and whose game should be suited to a US Open test.
I'm hoping Viktor Hovland can put up a similar performance to fellow countryman Kristoffer Ventura did last week when placing for us at 80/1 in the Safeway Open.
The Norwegian has made all eleven cuts since the Tour resumed with the Charles Schwab challenge and although there was just the one top ten finish, his ball striking stats were superb, with just his putting letting him down.
You'll need a good week with the flat stick, but I'm buoyed enough by the prices, 60/1 with Bet365 paying eight places to chance him here.
A top 20 player shots gained off the tee and tee to green, he's also ranking 7th for shots gained approaching the green. A good week around the greens then he can feature here at a big price.
12th in the US Open last year as an amateur, he turned pro as a result and already has a PGA Tour win to his name. Could the US Open be his next?
As ever, good luck with your bets if you're following and please gamble responsibly.
Follow me at Twitter @rustyboy75.
Post-lockdown form:
Winners
- Jon Rahm - BMW Championship - advised at 14/1
- Dustin Johnson - Northern Trust - advised at 20/1
- Justin Thomas - WGC FedEx St Jude - advised at 12/1
- Webb Simpson - RBC Heritage - advised at 30/1
Placed
- Kristoffer Ventura - T7 Safeway Open - advised at 80/1
- Laurie Canter - 2nd Portugal Masters - advised at 66/1
- Si Woo Kim - T3 Wyndham Championship - advised at 40/1
- Jason Day - T4 USPGA Championship - advised at 40/1
- Phil Mickelson - 2nd WGC FedEx St Jude - advised at 110/1
- Viktor Hovland - 3rd Workday Charity Open - advised at 25/1
- Kevin Streelman - T7 Workday Charity Open - advised at 60/1
- Tyrrell Hatton - T4 Rocket Mortgage Classic - advised at 16/1
