2021 U.S. Open preview: Odds, betting picks

With the 120th US Open set to get underway on the NBC platforms on Thursday, we're all faced with the same question: who do you like this weekend? There has to be at least 5,000 betting previews from all of the experts. This is not one of them.

Rather than breaking down how Phil Mickelson will look after capturing the PGA Championship, or how Torrey Pines will favor the top golfers in the field, or how Lee Westwood's wedding in Vegas will effect his play this week, we're going to keep it simple. I've asked my colleagues - very much in the same way that we used to casually converse around the newsroom - who they like this weekend. And thus, a very average (arguably below average) US Open preview was born with odds provided by our partners PointsBet Sportsbook.

PointsBet is our Official Sports Betting Partner and we may receive compensation if you place a bet on PointsBet for the first time after clicking our links.

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From Bobby Schmautz:

"A three-way battle Sunday evening makes for a great show between Brooks Koepka, Justin Rose and Marc Leishman. Leishman pulls it out late while Jon Rahm and Justin Thomas round out the top-5. Jordan Spieth whines his way to a missed cut and spares us having to listen to him all weekend!"

Leishman to win: +8000

Spieth to miss cut: +240

From NotTheFakeChrisForsberg

"The Rahm Revenge tour is a great storyline but who knows how he’ll play coming off the COVID episode and he’s never finished higher than third in a major. DeChambeau and Koepka probably get disqualified after trying to fight each other on Day 2. That leaves Dustin Johnson, his two majors and a new driver shaft, ready to run away at Torrey Pines."

Dustin Johnson to win: +1600

Koepka/Dechambeau both miss cut: +1200

From Chip Shaht

"Pick to win – Justin Thomas. Sleeper – Will Zalatoris. Prop bet – o/u 32.5 (times we’ll see Tiger’s tying putt from 2008 Open at Torrey Pines)"

Justin Thomas to win: +2500

Will Zalatoris to win: +5000

From Tiger Tiger Woods Y'all

"I absolutely can’t stand Patrick Reed but he’s a big game hunter with a proven track record of success at Torrey Pines and he’s my pick to win. Betting on Reed makes me feel like a terrible human being, but at least if he wins there’s some solace in profitability. Who am I rooting for? Charley Hoffman."

Patrick Reed to win: +2900

Charley Hoffman to win: +10000

From NBC Sports EDGE

So this one is legit. Our friends at NBC Sports EDGE ran their simulations and have posted projections for each round. They like Patrick Reed to edge out Will Zalatoris, with Jon Rahm, Paul Casey and Xander Schauffele rounding out the top five. As for their Round 1 projections, they have Zalatoris leading the way with a 68.1 followed by Jason Kokrak (68.3), Patrick Cantlay (68.6), Schauffele (68.8), and Daniel Berger (69.2).

From Yours Truly

I like Xander Schauffele to breakthrough and win his first major. He grew up just a few miles from Torrey Pines and has the homefield advantage, if you will. He's also competed well in majors, particularly at the US Open where he's posted four top-5 finishes. The other local angle is Phil Mickelson, who has never won the US Open. Unfortunately, it feels like Phil is more likely to miss the cut than he is to complete the career grand slam.

Xander Schauffele to win: +2000

Mickelson to miss cut: +120