The year’s second Major championship, the US Open Golf 2020, kicks off on Thursday at Winged Foot, just outside New York, and it promises to be an absolute corker!
Winged Foot is one of the toughest courses in the world. Last time the US Open 2020 was here in 2006, five over par was the winning score and many pundits feel that something similar will win this prestigious tournament once again.
The 1974 US Open at the same course was ever harder. Dubbed the “Massacre at Winged Foot” the winning score was seven over par so what you need is someone who has a stellar game from tee to green. Keeping out of the penal rough will be crucial so you can get a clear shot onto the green from the fairway. More importantly, you need someone who has a sure touch on the greens. The greens at Winged Foot are reportedly like glass with many contours so holing out will be vital.
Here are our six tips we think could win you some money on such a treacherous layout. And we pay out the first nine places, here at NetBet:
Jon Rahm – 9/1
The talented Spaniard has been in sublime form this year, winning the Memorial before beating current world number one, Dustin Johnson, in a play-off at the BMW Championship during the FedEx Cup play-offs.
Those two victories were won on arguably the toughest two courses on the PGA Tour so far this year, which holds the 25-year-old in good stead. He is a long and accurate hitter with a classy short game and should certainly be in the firing line come Sunday evening.
Rahm could also be a good bet for lowest round at 12/1. He limits the errors and is a putting machine when the flat stick gets hot.
Justin Thomas – 12/1
The American is another player who comes into this Major with some very good form behind him. He played well at the Tour Championship on his last start and is a prolific winner on tour.
He won the 2017 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow and it is a surprise he hasn’t yet added another to his glittering CV. His Major record apart from that triumph is pretty modest too.
However, he has already seen the course in practice expressing his love for the layout. And, like Rahm, is a very long hitter with a fantastic short game. Top American could be the bet for Thomas. He is 7/1.
Hideki Matsuyama – 30/1
The Japanese player has been threatening to win a maiden Major for sometime now and this hard test could be right up his street. He has shown some very decent form in the past couple of months and has a tee-to-green game which is the envy of many players.
His putting, so often his weakness, has been much-improved in recent outings and if the putter can fire, he has a great chance. His wedge play in and around the greens is up there with the best.
We do think Matsuyama will be in contention so a top five finish for him at 13/2 could be the bet of the week.
Tommy Fleetwood – 28/1
Fleetwood is yet another player chasing his first Major and we believe he isn’t far away from that accolade. The likeable Englishman has come close in this event before, finishing second to Brooks Koepka at Shinnecock Hills in 2018. A repeat of that performance, especially the final round where he shot 63, would see him bang in contention.
His credentials are similar to Matsuyama’s. He has few peers when it comes to getting to the green but will his putting stroke handle the trickiest greens in the world?
We think Fleetwood can have an excellent week and first round leader at 35/1 could be a decent pick.
Louis Oosthuizen – 66/1
The South African has managed second-placed finishes in all four Major championship since he won the 2010 Open Championship at St Andrews. He has a wonderful rhythm from the tee and he has the experience of winning a Major, unlike some of the guys on this list.
His form has been adequate this year but usually fires it up at a Major. The US Open always looks tailor-made for someone like Oosthuizen and he should have a decent week.
He certainly could contend for Top Rest of the World player at 9/1.
Lee Westwood – 125/1
Can the 47-year-old win that elusive Major after all these years? The Englishman has come so close so many times but has just faltered at the final hurdle once too often.
With the pressure off, can he lift the US Open trophy on Sunday evening? He has been one of the finest European players for the past 25 years and from tee-to-green, he is a phenomenal ball striker.
However, the putting has let him down in crucial situations once too often. He may not win but top Englishman at 25/1 looks a good bet for a player who has a very good US Open record.
Another special bet is the tournament lowest round to be 67 or over. On such a hazardous course, that could well come true at 11/10.
For more US Open Golf 2020 and golf bets, visit our dedicated NetBet Golf Betting page.
