After an exciting conclusion to the 2016 FedEx St. Jude Classic, the best golfers in the planet now shift their focus to the year’s second major – the U.S. Open. It’s bound to be one exciting tournament, with major champions Jason Day, Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy teeing off at this week’s event.
Who will emerge victorious and grab the $1.8 million top prize? Read on below as a bunch of experts sound off on their picks for this major tournament. While you’re at it, you can check out our sleeper picks and preview for the U.S. Open Golf Championship.
Cash In on the Best Online Sportsbook Offers Now at TopBet!
Troy Klongerbo of U.S. Golf TV believes that Jason Day (+600) will finally win the U.S. Open this week. He has been playing some excellent golf of late, grabbing 12 top-10 finishes and a whopping seven victories in his last 19 starts. The world no. 1 has had some success in this tournament in the past as well, notching four top-10s in his last five U.S. Open starts.
What makes Day such a huge threat in every golf event that he competes on is his superb touch on the putting greens. He is tops in the PGA Tour in strokes gained via putting with an incredible 1.145 average. That will be a major weapon for Day when navigating the delicate greens of this brutal Oakmont course.
Golf Digest
Expert
Winner
Alex Myers
Jason Day
Alex Myers has made his choice and it is Jason Day (+600) who he thinks will win the U.S. Open this week. What makes Day such a good pick in his eyes is his outstanding record in this tournament. The American finished second in this event in 2011 (Congressional) and 2013 (Merion). He’s also the hottest golfer on Tour right now, winning seven of his past 17 tournaments. With the form that he is in right now and his experience with this particular event, Day has an excellent chance of nabbing his first U.S. Open title this coming weekend.
Golf Magazine
Expert
Winner
Gary Van Sickle
Adam Scott
Alan Shipnuck
Rory McIlroy
Gary Van Sickle of Golf Magazine is firm in his belief that Adam Scott (+2,500) will win the U.S. Open this week. Oakmont is a ball-striking course and there’s no better striker of the ball right now than Adam Scott. With Steve Williams on the bag, Scott has all the weapons necessary to tame this difficult par-70 course.
That being said, it won’t be smooth sailing for Scott this coming weekend. According to Van Sickle’s colleague Alan Shipnuck, it is Rory McIlroy (+750) who will take home the crown this weekend. The Ulsterman has been playing some terrific golf of late, nabbing three top-5 finishes in his last four starts, including a victory at the Irish Open. McIlroy’s the ultimate momentum player so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him capture his second U.S. Open title this week.
