The 3rd leg of the Golf Grand Slam starts tomorrow at legendary Pebble Beach. Here is all you need to know to watch and perhaps bet on the event.
119th US Open at Pebble Beach in Pebble Beach, CA – Thursday, June 13th – Sunday, June 16th
TV Schedule:
- Thursday & Friday 6/13-6/14 – 9 AM-12:30 PM Eastern on Golf Channel, 12:30-7:30 PM Eastern on FS1, 7:30-10:30 PM Eastern on Fox
- Saturday & Sunday, 6/15-6/16 – 9 AM-12 Noon Eastern on Golf Channel, 12 Noon-10 PM Eastern on Fox, 10 PM-Midnight Eastern on Golf Channel
The Course
Pebble Beach is a historic golf course on the Pacific Coast along the famous 17 Mile Drive off of Highway 1 near Carmel, CA. There are several holes where major cliffs come into play with a ton of bunkers lining tight fairways throughout the course. The winds can really become a major factor at Pebble Beach. So, a player must be able to control ball flight in a high wind day. Finally, the temperature and moisture on the course can vary widely from when a player tees off, which can affect the firmness of the greens and fairways. The best players here would likely be very targeted drivers and/or players that can scramble from the sand traps and heavy rough.
I have never played this most famous public course, but I have driven around the course a couple times. It can be a course that is set in a cloud with fog and moisture just sitting through swaths of fairway. It is one of the most magical courses ever created, and it should be another treat to watch this weekend.
The Contenders
- Brooks Koekpa (+800) – Again, I think Brooks should be the favorite. He has been incredible winning back to back US Opens, the PGA Championship last month and 2nd at the Masters in April. Hard to go against him, as he is the #1 Player in the World for a reason.
- Dustin Johnson (+750) – Koepka’s main competition is his training partner, DJ, who excels at US Opens. He is actually the odds on favorite, which I find interesting. Besides missing the cut in 2017, he has finished in the Top 4 every year since 2014 including his lone major win at the 2016 US Open. He has finished 2nd at the Masters and PGA this year. I look forward to a final pairing of these two bombers on Sunday.
- Rory McIlroy (+900) – Rory has been good this year, but will he be good enough to win. The heavy Masters favorite did what He does often, blows up one day to take him out of contention (21st). He was good at the PGA at 8th. However, I would not bet on him, personally.
- Tiger Woods (+1200) – Tiger got his Masters, and that was beating the odds and my predictions. However, he missed the cut at the PGA. Tiger has a great record at Pebble Beach, but again, I’m going to fade Tiger. Augusta is a course experience plays a factor, and Pebble Beach could be similar. However, I believe the course will be set up for longer hitters to match US Open standards.
- Jordan Spieth (+2000) – Spieth used to be nails in major championships. However, he has lost his edge of late. He did show fight again finishing 3rd at the PGA, and rallied late to 21st in the Masters. I don’t see him winning the US Open, but a Top 5 finish is possible.
Other Guys to Watch:
- Xander Schauffele – Xander is a really exciting player who has played very well in majors. He has finished Top 6 four times since the start of 2017 including a 5th and 6th place at the US Opens. He was in the mix at the Masters finishing 2nd. He is my favorite slightly longer odds guys to win it.
- Jon Rahm (+2800) – Rahm is a bomber, which most US Opens require you to be. Rahm does have a tendency to blow up at the wrong time. Again, he has finished in the Top 10 three times in the last majors, but he has 3 cuts as well. So, he is hit or miss, but for a longer odds guy, you could do a lot worse.
- Rickie Fowler (+2800) – So, just 2 months ago, Rickie was the darling pick for the Masters. Now he is 28-1. I like that. He was 9th at the Masters, but fell to 36th at the PGA. Rickie has traditionally bene good at the US Open in the Top 10 three times. Again, I like his odds for this event.
- Long Shots – I don’t like anyone with longer odds. Tony Finau is a possibility, but I don’t like him for this course.
Prediction: Brooks Koepka wins again here, but DJ or Schauffele are my next 2 guys who could win.
Who do you like?
Wegs