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The U.S. Open is golf’s toughest test, and with Shinnecock Hills’ thick rough, fast greens, and strong winds, this year’s championship could be wide open.
Key Takeaways
- Scottie Scheffler is the most-bet golfer at three sportsbooks.
- Matthew Fitzpatrick and Tommy Fleetwood are also popular bets.
- Bryson DeChambeau has fallen out of favor with bettors.
“Last time the U.S. Open was held at Shinnecock in 2018, no one finished under par,” BetMGM senior trader Matt Wall said. “Customers clearly remember just how brutal this course can be.”
Even with plenty of uncertainty heading into Thursday’s first round on Long Island, bettors aren’t straying far from familiar names. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is still earning trust in the outright winner market at multiple sportsbooks, and with two golfers from the U.K. claiming both of 2026’s majors, some bettors are hoping for that trend to continue with different names.
“In the 126th U.S. Open’s return to Shinnecock, Scheffler has been getting plenty of love from bettors, especially at a more attractive price point than we saw at the first two majors of 2026,” Wall said. “Following the recent successes of Rory McIlroy and Aaron Rai, our customers are jumping on the European bandwagon. Tommy Fleetwood and Matt Fitzpatrick are both seeing strong backing.”
Scottie vs. the field
After a second-place finish at the Masters and a top 15 at the PGA Championship, Scheffler enters this difficult major looking to claim the career Grand Slam as a U.S. Open favorite between +450 and +550. As usual, Scheffler is the most-bet golfer at FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetMGM, where he’s the book’s biggest liability with 14.1% of the tickets and 24.7% of the handle.
FanDuel told Covers on Wednesday that it was seeing nearly identical betting splits, and with +110 odds to finish the U.S. Open in the top five, he’s getting the most money in that market at DraftKings and BetMGM.
There are still plenty of golfers attracting action at a course where bettors expect a more recognizable winner than Aaron Rai at the PGA Championship.
At FanDuel, McIlroy (+1,200) is second in bets and handle, getting 8% of the money. Cameron Young failed to come through as a highly popular pick at the PGA Championship last month, that hasn’t scared off bettors, with Young drawing 6% of tickets and 7% of the handle.
Fitzpatrick and Fleetwood have seen 6% and 5%, respectively, of money in the outright winner market. DraftKings reported the same top five in handle. At BetMGM, Young and Fitzpatrick are right behind Scheffler as the biggest liabilities.
Other markets
Sam Burns and Chris Gotterup are the two biggest liabilities in the first-round leader market at BetMGM. Scheffler and Fleetwood lead in handle at DraftKings.
Xander Schauffele is the most popular bet to finish in the top 20 at odds of -120. Fleetwood (-110) is second, followed by Fitzpatrick (-110), Adam Scott (+300), and Patrick Reed (+175).
Harris English (+100) leads tickets in the top 40 market, while Kristoffer Reitan (+110), Robert MacIntyre (+100), and Rai (+105) are seeing action as well.
In April, LIV golfer Bryson DeChambeau was a popular pick to win the Masters. Now, bettors don’t even think he’ll be around for the weekend for the third consecutive major.
“Normally a fan favorite, Bryson DeChambeau’s missed cuts at both majors this year seem to have cooled the enthusiasm with significant action on Bryson to miss the cut,” Wall said.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.
