2023 U.S. Open: PGA Golf Betting Picks This Week

by Joe Cistaro (joeycis) Last Updated 2023-06-13 18:58:37

This week, Joe Cistaro delivers U.S Open golf betting picks as golfers prepare for the daunting Los Angeles Country Club.

• Scottie Scheffler is the US Open betting favorite, carrying +700 odds at multiple sportsbooks
• Key stats for Los Angeles Country Club include strokes gained approach and strokes gained around-the-green
• Corey Conners and Eric Cole make two interesting longshot bets for the U.S. Open
• Find out where you can test out Fanatics Sportsbook before the golf tournament begins
• More US Open betting details and tips below!

This week, Los Angeles Country Club plays host to the 123rd U.S. Open. Amidst a cloud of uncertainty with the state of golf, the greatest distraction will be golfers being put to the stiffest test of the season. LA Country Club is long with massive undulations and elevation changes. Players that can navigate the fairways will face the challenge of approaching small greens surrounded by typical USGA rough.

The challenging layout will surely bring out the best in what could be the most loaded field of the golf season. Give our U.S. Open betting preview a read and buckle up for what should be an exciting few days. Let’s build our card.

2023 U.S. Open Betting Odds

At the time of this writing – Tuesday, June 13, 2023 – you can find these odds at BetMGM Sportsbook. The below list features all golfers priced at 50/1 or better.

2023 U.S. Open Betting Preview

• Course: The Los Angeles Country Club
• Date: June 15 – 18
• Par: 70
• Yardage: 7,426
• Greens: Bentgrass

Key Statistics

• SG: Approach
• SG: OTT
• SG: ARG
• SG: Putting
• Bogey Avoidance
• SG: Par 4
• Proximity >200

Unless mentioned otherwise, all strokes gained statistics will be referenced over the player’s previous 24 rounds on the PGA Tour.

2023 U.S. Open Picks and Predictions

Viktor Hovland +1800 (PointsBet)

If you read our betting preview, you will know that I parlayed Nick Taylor to win the RBC Canadian Open with Viktor Hovland to win the U.S. Open. We have a whopping 250 units to win if Vik can hoist the trophy this week. Sports bettors love a good “one-time” request… this feels like the appropriate time.

That said, even if I didn’t hit the Nick Taylor outright, I would still start my card with Vik. His form of late has been incredible. His improvements in his short game and putting have given a new dimension to his game. He continues to show up to every major and every big tournament and compete. If this course truly is a ball-strikers course where approach is the most important aspect… sign me up. If I didn’t have the future, I would start my card with Vik without any reservations.

Cameron Smith +3000 (FanDuel)

From what I read about LA Country Club, the course seems to be tricky for driving with regard to undulation and elevation change but not wildly penal with regard to rough if you miss the fairways. The biggest hole in Smith’s game is erratic driving, but once we get to the second shot and on, he might be the best player on Earth. While I know that is a whole heck of a lot to ignore, think about where Smith has found great success. He always performs well at Augusta, won in Hawaii, and won at St. Andrews, which is completely roughless. There will surely be penalties for getting out of position, but sign me up for Smith at 30/1 when we need someone to get up-and-down. Par feels like scoring this week. There aren’t many golfers I trust more than Cam. Full unit to complement our Vik bet.

Tommy Fleetwood +4500 (Caesars)

Tommy Fleetwood couldn’t close the deal in Canada thanks to a few missed putts and Taylor’s eagle heard around Canada. That said, he played so well and is flashing impeccable form at the perfect time.

Fleetwood feels like forever a bridesmaid, but at some point, he will get the favorable bounce or the long putt to find the hole. He rates out pretty high in the field in putting and ARG play and struck the ball excellently at Oakdale. At 45/1, I think he is priced really well. Further, given our ridiculously cheap start with Vik, we can afford more money on the mid-range this week.

Justin Thomas +4800 (FanDuel)

I just don’t get it. I mean… I get it. Justin Thomas has been pretty unspectacular since winning last year’s PGA Championship. But… 48/1?

DraftKings floated a 50/1 that is already bet down to 35/1 at the time of this writing. His putting is a disaster, but maybe the smallish greens will mitigate that concern this week. Who am I kidding? This is Justin Thomas at 48/1 in a major where SG: Approach is paramount. There is nothing to discuss. I will not be in the crowd of people that say, “I can’t believe I didn’t bet Justin Thomas at 48/1 at the U.S. Open!”

Additional Outrights/Bets

Adam Scott +8000 – Scott is sitting, somehow, fifth in SG: Putting. His form is good. Worth a bet at this number, in my opinion.

Corey Conners +9000 – We are back on Team Conners for the foreseeable future.

Eric Cole +25000 – Such a small price, don’t want to miss if he actually hits. He might be a better top-finisher bet due to these odds.

2023 U.S. Open Betting Card

U.S. Open Total Units in Play – 3.55

2023 Net Units: -23.4

There is nearly a 100% chance I will be adding more bets to my card ahead of the tournament on Thursday morning. I am a sucker for FRL bets and would maybe like to add a top-finisher bet or two. I will post my final card on Twitter Thursday morning.

Editor’s Note: Don’t live in a state with legal golf betting? Check out our Underdog promo code, one of the top DFS apps for fantasy golf pick’em.

Follow me on Twitter at @JoeCistaro to follow along with any additions, matchups, or top finishers I add to my outright betting card. Good luck with all of your wagers this week, and thanks for reading.

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