Starting today, the 2021 US Open Golf Championship will get underway at the famous Torrey Pines course in San Diego, California. Bryson DeChambeau will be defending the title he won last year against a star-studded field of the top golfers in the world in one of the years biggest and most prestigious tournaments.
As the third major of the year, the US Open is one of the tournaments that every golfer wants to win to add to their C.V. Always regarded as one of the toughest tests of the season, the US$12,500,000 in prize money is one of the biggest purses of the season too but it is the chance to write themselves into golfing history that will most interest the players competing this week.
If you are interested in having a bet on the 2021 US Open then the great news is that you can find a massive choice of bets available at bet365 Sport. Not only that, but you can keep bang up to date with the latest action from the course using the site’s popular Live Golf Tracker throughout the golf season.
Of course, interest in the event is going to be huge across the United States too and if you are looking for a site that offers a great selection of golf bets as well as extensive in play betting on the tournament, then BetRivers PA is a fantastic place to start.
Let us now take a look at the third major tournament of the season coming after Hideki Matsuyama’s win in April at The Masters and Phil Mickelson’s extraordinary success last month at the USPGA Championship.
US Open Golf Tournament Preview
Occurring in June every year, the US Open used to be the second Major of the year after The Masters, but
the moving of the USPGA Championship to May means it is now the third major players compete for in the new-look season.
Traditionally held at a different course across the United States every year, last year’s tournament was won by the big-hitting Bryson DeChambeau, who finished six shots clear of Matthew Wolf in second.
This year’s event will be the 121st edition of the tournament and it is the first time since 2008, when Tiger Woods won the last of his three US Open titles, that the tournament has returned to Torrey Pines South Course.
US Open Historic Winners
The most decorated players in the history of the US Open Championship include some of the most revered names in golf. Willie Anderson Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan and Jack Nicklaus have all won the tournament a record four times, Hale Irwin and Tiger Woods have both won the event on three occasions, while multiple players including Walter Hagen, Lee Trevino, Gene Sarazen, Curtis Strange, Ernie Els, Lee Janzen, Payne Stewart, Retief Goosen and Brooks Koepka have won the event twice.
American players have dominated the tournament in recent years winning on each of the last six occasions. Winners include Brooks Koepka’s back-to-back wins in 2017 and 2018, Gary Woodland, Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth and Bryson DeChambeau’s victory last year at Winged Foot Golf Club.
The last non-American to win the event was Martin Kaymer in 2014. Other winners set to compete in the field this year include Justin Rose (2013), Webb Simpson (2012), Rory McIlroy (2011), Graeme McDowell (2010(, Lucas Glover (2009) and Jim Furyk (2003). Tiger Woods will miss the event through injury.
US players have won the tournament on a total of 86 occasions out of 120 previous tournaments, with the next most successful country being Scotland with 13 winners, England have 7, South Africa 5, followed by Jersey, Australia and Northern Ireland with two winners each.
The Course – Torrey Pines South Course
Based in San Diego, California, Torrey Pines is a 36-hole municipal golf facility owned by the city of San
Diego. It has two courses, North and South, with the South course being used as the venue for this year’s championship. It is also the venue for the Farmers Insurance Open on the PGA Tour each year.
The course has hosted the US Open once before, in 2008, when Tiger Woods beat Rocco Mediate over a 19-hole playoff on the Monday after both players tied at the end of 72 holes on Sunday.
With a length of 7,802 yards, the South Course, designed by William F. Bell, offers a real test of golf. None of the par three holes are shorter than 200 yards. It is the longest course that plays host to a regular PGA Tour event.
It’s finishing quartet of holes include a 517 yard par four and a 570 yard par 5 18th hole that is sure to offer plenty of drama and excitement late on in the day on Sunday.
The 2021 US Open Contenders
Given that American players have been so dominant in this event in recent times, it is perhaps unexpected to see a Spaniard, Jon Rahm, as the pre-tournament favourite to win the event (9/1). The Spaniard has yet to win a major, but his good form of late means that he has plenty of backers feeling he can break that duck at Torrey Pines.
As you would expect, outside of Rahm, the most well-backed players are mostly Americans. Dustin Johnson (16/1), Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka and Xander Schauffele (18/1), Jordan Spieth (20/1), Collin Morikawa and Justin Thomas (22/1) and Patrick Cantlay (25/1) being amongst those most keenly backed by punters.
Rory McIlroy, a former winner of this event is 20/1, with Norwegian ace Viktor Hovland 25/1 and Masters Champion Hideki Matsuyama rated a 40/1 chance.
The fact that this could be one of the most open US Open Championships in many years is reflected by the fact that there is generally a slow decline in odds from those top players, right down to those rated at over 100/1 for the Championship, which includes the likes of Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood, Bubba Watson, Ian Poulter and many more.
Last week’s winner on the US PGA Tour, Garrick Higgo is a 66/1 shot to land back to back wins and his first Major.
Who Are We Backing To Win And As An Each Way Bet For The US Open?
We’ve had some success with our golf tips in past articles, most notably when we tipped Justin Thomas to win the delayed USPGA Championship last year. So looking at this years field, I think that a good option for punters that are looking at a straight winner bet is likely to be one of the shorter priced options.
My preference is for Xander Schauffele, who has been very solid in Majors of late and who looks well set to claim one sooner rather than later and at 18/1, I think he is a good value bet.
For an each way option, I think Tyrell Hatton at 45/1 is a player well worth a closer look, while Tommy Fleetwood at 75/1, a runner up at this event a couple of years ago, is another worthy of consideration. Billy Horschel at 150/1 is another decent shout.
*All odds shown were correct with bet365 Sport as of 12.00pm on Thursday 17th June 2021.
