Koepka, Johnson, And Somebody Named Tiger Vie For The U.S. Open

Here’s a crazy statistic: In the past two years, Brooks Koepka has won 50% of his Major starts. 50 percent!

And that could have been an even higher percentage had he just  not come up just one shot short at The Masters a few months ago. 

So, while a joy to watch on the course, you’re not going to win any huge money betting solely on Brooks Koepka. (Although, despite his past two wins at the Open, he can still make you decent money at +1000 to win.)

The other names at the top of the favorites list  at +1000 and below to win are:

• Dustin Johnson: Starting the tournament with having come in 2^nd in his last two majors, he’s due for a #1 in something soon.
• John Rahm: The Spaniard has been consistently good since joining the majors after years dominating the amateurs. He won the Zurich Classic and was 9^that Augusta. His recent for hasn’t been as great but he’s got the tools.
• Rory McElroy: Coming off a big win last weekend in Canada, and second in the FedEx Cup standings, McElroy seems ready to keep his hot streak alive further south.
• Tiger Woods: Despite his miserable showing at the PGA Championships, people still love the comeback story that is Tiger. This is a combo of course and tournament that he’s won before, so there’s some history here.

Outside the big guys, there is some potentially great value to be had in some of the golfers who have been sniffing around the top spots recently, as well as some young guys ready to make their name on the grand stage of Pebble Beach. From safer to more adventurous, here are some names to ponder.

• Patrick Cantlay (+1800): Cantlay won the Memorial two weeks ago, while coming in 3^rdin the PGA Championships, so he’s finally achieving the level always expected of him. Adding a major would help complete a great story.
• Jordan Spieth (+2000): He’s won here recently (AT&T in 2017) and he’s been playing well as of late (3^rdat the PGA.) Pebble Beach also isn’t big on drivers so that plays to his skill set.
• Phil Michelson (+2800): C’mon Phil, you gotta complete your Majors. If Sunday we see ourselves watching Tiger and Phil playing against each other for the win, the world may come apart. (Plus he won here earlier this year.)
• Webb Simpson (+3300): Won the US Open a little north of Pebble Beach in San Francisco, and coming off a 2^ndplace finish last week in Canada, his style of play is set up perfectly for this course.
• Francesco Molinari (+3500): Winner of The Open last year, as well as the Arnold Palmer this year, Molinari comes in at such decent odds due to his poor showings in the past two majors. Could be a great pickup.
• Brandt Snedeker (+5000): A great course for him, as evidenced by his having won the Pro-Am twice here.  
• Kevin Na (+9000): A true enigma, Na has been around for a while and is only just recently been putting it all together. He has played well at Pebble Beach, with two top-ten finishes. 
• Branden Grace (+12,500): Not in the best form as of late, but he plays this course a lot and when he does he plays it remarkably well. 

Good luck!