Anticipation Builds for the 124th U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2
The golf world is abuzz with excitement as the 124th U.S. Open gears up to tee off at the legendary Pinehurst No. 2 course. Set to attract significant attention from golf enthusiasts around the globe, this championship promises a thrilling showdown featuring some of the sport’s most accomplished players.
Top Contenders
Leading the charge are this year’s two major winners, Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele, who have already made significant strides in their careers. Scheffler, with odds at 11-4, and Schauffele, at 10-1, have both showcased their prowess on the course, rendering them formidable contenders for the title.
Collin Morikawa, a name synonymous with consistency and precision, presents another fascinating storyline. Having secured top-five finishes in both the Masters and the PGA Championship, Morikawa enters the 2024 U.S. Open on a hot streak. The young golfer has finished in the top five in his last three tournaments, and a victory at Pinehurst would allow him to complete 75% of his career Grand Slam, a feat achieved by only a few elite golfers.
Betting Odds Highlight Stiff Competition
Morikawa joins six other players with odds under 15-1 in the current betting. Among them are Scheffler, Schauffele, Bryson DeChambeau at 10-1, and Ludvig Aberg at 14-1. These odds reflect the fierce competition and high stakes that await the players on this challenging course.
McClure's Predictive Model
Attention has also turned to McClure’s predictive model, which has proven to be incredibly adept since the PGA Tour resumed in June 2020. The model has accumulated nearly $9,000 in best bets earnings, providing reliable predictions for bettors. Notably, it has accurately forecast multiple tournament outcomes, including Scheffler’s victories at the 2024 Masters, Arnold Palmer Invitational, and The Players Championship.
The model also successfully predicted Hideki Matsuyama’s victory at the 2024 Genesis Invitational with a remarkable +9000 bet. Impressive as well are its correct predictions for Jon Rahm’s triumphs at the 2023 Sentry Tournament of Champions, The American Express, and his second career major at the 2023 Masters.
Schauffele's Struggles and Value Bets
One of the model’s top predictions is that Xander Schauffele, despite his status as a favorite, will barely crack the top five at the U.S. Open. Schauffele has managed only three top-five finishes in majors since 2019 and showed signs of shakiness at The Memorial over the past weekend. Consequently, the model suggests there are better value bets available for this year's championship.
Among these value bets is Justin Thomas, who stands at 35-1 odds. Thomas, who made his major debut at Pinehurst in 2014, has since accumulated more major victories than anyone except Brooks Koepka since 2017. His recent eighth-place finish at the PGA Championship and impressive statistics—10th in strokes gained around the green, and top-20 in both total driving efficiency and strokes gained approaching the green—position him as a strong contender to climb up the leaderboard at the U.S. Open.
Longshot Bets Worth Considering
The model is also keeping an eye on two golfers with odds of 20-1 or longer, suggesting they could make a strong run at the title. Additionally, there are two triple-digit longshots in its best bets, which could yield substantial returns for those willing to take the gamble.
Quote Highlights
“In fact, the model is up almost $9,000 on its best bets since the restart, nailing tournament after tournament,” one prediction enthusiast noted.
Another highlighted, “Rahm was two strokes off the lead heading into the third round, but the model still projected him as the winner.”
Reflecting on Justin Thomas’ potential, analysts remarked, “With top-15s in half of his 12 starts this year on tour, Thomas could make another run up the 2024 U.S. Open leaderboard.”
As the players prepare to take on the storied Pinehurst No. 2, the 124th U.S. Open promises to be a captivating event filled with intense competition, high stakes, and potential surprises. Golf enthusiasts everywhere eagerly await the tee-off, anticipating another chapter in golfing history.