Welcome back Degens! The 2022 US Open is here and it’s time to make some picks! The US Open is in my old stomping grounds at The Country Club in Brookline, MA. I’m not going to break down the course, because my co-host did a comprehensive 2 part breakdown here and here!
The media circus has come to Boston thanks to the LIV tour. I’m sure my lubed up Boston brethren will get rowdy this week. But we can ignore all that noise and get ready to watch the toughest test in golf. This week will be a test of all facets of the game. The golfers better be long and straight off the tee, crush your approaches, be immaculate around the green and hope for a par.
I truly believe there are only a handful of players who can win this week. So my outright card will be short. But there will be plenty of positional and matchup bets to get into.
For my full card, listen to the Golf Gambling Podcast for all my takes. With that said, let’s get to it! Here are my top picks for the 2022 US Open.
2022 US Open Picks – Outright Bets
Jordan Spieth– 28/1
Jordan is exactly the type of player I’m looking for this week. He has been an absolute beast tee-to-green this season. Until the Memorial, he averaged +10.5 strokes tee-to-green over his last 4 events. Off-the-tee used to be his bugaboo, but he has been excellent driving the ball since the RBC Heritage. He’s also added some length off the tee, as he’s averaging about 306 yards per drive in 2022.
His approach play until the Memorial was on fire. But that week was the first time he lost strokes on approach since the Farmers in January. Expect a regression to the mean. Couple that with the fact he is number one in the field around the green, that my friends is a recipe for a winning week. Pick Jordan Spieth on your 2022 US Open betting card.
Xander Schauffele – 25/1
You know who has a great record at US Opens? Xander Schauffele. He has 4 straight Top 7 finishes in the event. Xander isn’t coming in with his normal steam this week, and I’m not quite sure why. Other than the narrative that he can’t win (which I’m guilty of perpetuating as well), his stats and form should generate more buzz than it currently is.
Since the WM Phoenix Open, he has 2 Top 10’s and 3 Top 20’s. His tee-to-green game as always is on point, as he’s gained over 8 strokes over his last 3 events. His approach play is also strong, as he’s gained over 5 strokes over the last 3 tournaments too.
Xander has proven that he contend at a US Open, but hasn’t closed the deal yet. Give me a somewhat-under-the-radar Xander Schauffele to pick up the elusive win at the 2022 US Open.
2022 US Open Picks – Other Props
Beau Hossler Top 20 – +800
Scared money don’t make money! This bet isn’t for the faint of heart. This prop is 8/1 for a reason, and you’ll know if this bet has any chance by Thursday afternoon. He just missed having two Top 20’s in his last 4 events, including a 21st at the Charles Schwab Challenge where he lost a stroke putting. That doesn’t happen often. His strength is his putting. He also can contend on golf courses with small greens, as he was in the mix for a win at Pebble Beach earlier this year. Beau Hossler flashes enough for me to live a little and cash a big dog for a Top 20. Pick him on your 2022 US Open card too.
Other Top 20’s to Consider
- Tony Finau – +140
- Keegan Bradley – +280
- Francesco Molinari – +500
Tony Finau -115 over Viktor Hovland
There are not a lot of players who are as hot as Tony Finau is right now. If it wasn’t for Rory going nuclear on Sunday, he would have won the RBC Canadian Open. He is driving the ball beautifully and his irons are razor sharp. I almost bet him outright, but couldn’t pull the trigger.
Hovland, on the other hand, looks lost. He has been meh at best over the last month. Everyone knows about his around the green struggles, but in his last tournament he lost almost 7 strokes tee-to-green. I’m going with my gut and picking Tony Finau to take down Viktor Hovland at the 2022 US Open.
