US Open Golf Betting Odds 2021

Each one of golf’s four majors is special, but there’s just something unique about the US Open. The best golfers in the world square off at a different venue each year, and the course is always made extra challenging in a number of different facets.

The 2020 US Open takes place in September, right around the start of fall. It’s nestled on the docket in between the PGA Championship and Masters, and the anticipation is continually ratcheting up as the event draws near.

Each year, there are players who do well at the US Open. Others? Not so much. And then there are the dark horse contenders who come up out of nowhere to shake up the leaderboard.

We’ll take a look at the odds, cover the best bets to make, and even tell you the best online sportsbooks to legally and safely get in the game right here in Michigan.

Best US Open betting apps

Choices abound for Michigan sports bettors in the new legal and regulated environment, and that, of course, is a good thing. However, figuring out the best place to play isn’t so easy. We’ve done the heavy lifting. Here are our top three apps to use for betting on the US Open.

1. DraftKings Sportsbook

No longer just a giant in the land of daily fantasy sports, DraftKings has also become an industry leader in sports betting.

• All odds and bet types for the US Open
• Props, futures, and live betting for golf and all sports
• A slick platform that’s filled with innovative features

DraftKings has become the go-to spot for scores of sports bettors. We fully expect the same to happen here in Michigan.

2. FanDuel Sportsbook

This is another DFS titan that has spread its wings into sports betting, and FanDuel has managed to shake up the industry along the way.

• Bet on the US Open on the go quickly and easily
• Great interface that quickly updates odds and lines for golf and other sports
• Stellar customer service and a wide range of funding options

FanDuel helped to bring DFS front and center for the masses, and the company is doing the same with betting. Michigan users will be quite pleased with what they see.

3. BetMGM Sportsbook

Gaming giant MGM has been around the block a time or two. That knowledge has been translated into BetMGM, a fantastic app that has garnered rave reviews.

• Lots of betting options for the US Open
• Markets and bet types for golf and all sports
• Great platform that’s easy to use

BetMGM has lived up to its brand name in every market entered to date. We feel safe in assuming that the same story will happen here in Michigan.

It’s really tough to beat the convenience of betting legally and safely on a mobile device. You can bet on the US Open on the go, and check in on the live betting markets in an instant.

The app goes with you everywhere, so you can manage your account at any time. That includes even when you’re out of state, but you’ll need to be back in Michigan to actually place bets via mobile apps.

Latest odds for the 2020 US Open

While the betting action really heats up the closer the US Open gets, the odds board stays active all year round. There’s often plenty of movement among the favorites, as well as dark-horse contenders who bear watching. Staying on top of where things stand is a piece of cake with our live odds tool. Let’s take a look at the current lay of the land.

Is Tiger Woods a good bet to win the US Open?

Tiger Woods has won 15 major championships during his storied career. After winning the 2019 edition of the Masters, it’s safe to say he’s not quite done yet.

Among his lengthy list of career accomplishments is a trio of victories at the US Open in 2000, 2002, and 2008. The last win at this event happened more than a decade ago.

As Woods continues to grow long in the tooth, what are the chances that he’ll add some more hardware to the collection at golf’s US Open in 2020?

For starters, let’s take a look back at how he has fared at the last three US Open tournaments.

• 2019: Tie for 21st at -2
• 2018: Missed cut at +10
• 2017: Did not participate

It has been a long road back for Woods, who has battled numerous injuries since his dominant run in the early part of his career. As his Masters win indicates though, he’s about as close as he can be to the top of his game at his current age.

If we look toward the US Open futures market at leading online and mobile sportsbooks, here’s where Woods currently stands on the odds board.

• DraftKings: +1,400, sixth place
• FanDuel: +1,400, sixth place
• BetMGM: +1,600, seventh place

There seems to be a pretty good consensus in the sports betting marketplace. Woods is considered to be just on the outside of the top tier of favorites, and we can safely assume that he’s seeing a good amount of action flowing in his direction.

What are the best ways to bet on the US Open?

One of the great things about betting on golf is the wide range of options you have available. Betting on the overall winner is certainly fun and potentially lucrative, but there are also other ways to enjoy one of golf’s signature events while getting some skin in the game.

Let’s begin by taking a look at a bet type that captures attention throughout the season.

2020 US Open futures betting 

The futures market for the US Open Championship stays active nearly year-round. The odds for the winner of the next edition are released soon after the current one finishes. You’ll see odds listed for all of the golfers who are expected to compete.

The list is typically in descending order. That means the big US Open betting favorites on top, longshots all the way at the bottom, and the rest of the field somewhere in the middle. For a futures bet, the idea is to find the selections you like at the best possible prices.

The odds board for US Open futures doesn’t stay still. Once bets come in, there could be fluctuations on golfers who are either seeing lots of action or not attracting much, if any, interest.

Also, keep in mind that the US Open golf betting odds will not be the same at every sportsbook. You can shop around to find the best prices, and stay on top of the market throughout the season to do the same.

Some bettors like to get their bets in soon after the odds are released and hold onto their tickets. Other handicappers take a more active approach and constantly monitor the board for movement. There are also plenty of folks who just check in a few weeks in advance of the event to place their bets.

Whatever approach works best for you is perfectly fine; just remember that this is a long-term wager. US Open futures bets won’t be settled until the tournament is completed.

How to bet on golf

As the US Open approaches, you can place your bet on the outright winner right then and there, as well. You should also take the time to explore the vast menu of offerings at online and mobile sportsbooks. Here’s a look at some of the top bet types to consider.

• Finishing position: This is a bet on a golfer to finish in a specific range, such as top five or top 10.
• Each way: This wager covers a golfer to either win outright or be among the top finishers, such as in the top three.
• Golfer vs. field: For some of the bigger favorites, you can wager on them to win outright or take the entire field over them.
• Head-to-head: This is a bet on a matchup of two golfers as paired up by the sportsbook. Your goal is to pick the better performer.
• 2-balls or 3-balls: This will be a group of two or three golfers with the same concept, namely pick the one who will score the best.
• Group betting: The group bet is typically offered on four golfers, but it could be more. Once again, the idea is to pick the best one.
• Round leaders: You can zero in on the individual rounds and choose the golfer you think will score the best in each.

You’ll also have two other major bet types to consider as the tournament plays out. Here’s a look at both.

Prop betting

Just like with other sports, there are side bets offered on things that might come up during the course of play. Some of these proposition bets will focus on the performance of a specific golfer, while others will be based on the tournament as a whole.

• Nationality of the winning golfer
• Will Tiger Woods make the cut — yes or no?
• Which golfer will card the most birdies in round one?

Live betting

The innovation known as live betting has taken sports wagering to a whole new level. These are bets you can place in real-time as the action unfolds. The market moves fast, but it can really enhance the viewing experience.

• What will Phil Mickelson card on the third hole — eagle/birdie/par/bogey/double bogey or worse?
• Who will have the longer tee shot on hole five — Jon Rahm or Brooks Koepka?
• Next drive for Bryson DeChambeau — over/under 309.5 yards?

Where is the 2020 US Open?

As is the case every year, it’ll once again be the world’s top golfers squaring off at a picturesque locale to decide the US Open. So what are the details for this year’s event and how can you watch? Let’s take a look.

• Date: Sept. 17-20, 2020
• Opening tee: 6:45 a.m. ET
• Location: Mamaroneck, New York
• Average temperature: High 77, low of 55 for month with average wind/precipitation
• Course: Winged Foot Golf Club
• Par: 70
• Length: 7,477 yards
• Golfers in the field: 144
• Prize pool: $12.5 million
• First place: $2.25 million
• Defending champion: Gary Woodland
• TV and streaming: NBC, Golf Channel, Peacock

Top contenders for the 2020 US Open

While there’s still time to go until the tournament begins, several clear favorites have emerged in the futures market. Here are the five golfers who currently sit atop the odds board.

• Rory McIlroy: McIlroy hasn’t won the US Open since 2011, but he remains in the conversation for the world’s best golfer. Quite simply, he’s a threat to win it all whenever he is in the field, and that includes for one of the toughest tournaments to win.
• Brooks Koepka: The US Open just brings out the best in Koepka. Back-to-back wins in 2017 and 2018 were followed by a second-place finish last time out. We can safely call him a golfer to watch in Mamaroneck.
• Dustin Johnson: A tie for second place in 2015 was followed by Johnson winning it all in 2016. He remains in top form and is currently planted in the top five on the official World Golf Rankings. Another US Open win is a distinct possibility.
• Jon Rahm: Rahm has yet to win one of golf’s majors, but he’s currently atop the rankings. Last time out at the US Open, he settled for a tie for third place. A major win should be coming before too long, and it could very well be here.
• Bryson DeChambeau: DeChambeau has become a phenom on the PGA Tour and continues to climb the rankings to boot. He completely crushes it off the tee, but there’s much more to his game than that. DeChambeau could be a factor in the majors for years to come.

Dark horses to watch at the US Open in 2020

The field at the US Open is vast, and there are always some unexpected names at the top of the leaderboard when all is said and done. Here’s a trio of names that fit the bill as US Open dark horse contenders.

• Jordan Spieth: When Spieth won the US Open in 2015, it was pretty tough to envision him being considered a dark horse just a few years later. The talented pro has hit a bit of a career swoon, but a big turnaround would be less than stunning.
• Tommy Fleetwood: A runner-up two years ago, Fleetwood isn’t receiving a ton of love from oddsmakers and the betting public. He’s just outside the top 10 in the rankings and can be had for a great price, making him an intriguing sleeper pick.
• Cameron Smith: For another young golfer who could make some noise, this is the guy. Smith finished in fourth place at the US Open in 2015 and fifth at the Masters in 2018. At just 26, Smith’s breakthrough is on the way, and it could be coming soon.

Golf betting strategy

Handicapping a golf tournament is similar to breaking down other sports. For example, you’ll want to have a good handle on the odds board and the recent form for all the golfers in the field. However, you always have to get more specific for the sport at hand.

For golf, that means examining things such as performance metrics and tournament details. Here are some other golf betting tips you can keep in mind as you handicap the 2020 US Open.

• Course and event history: This should be part of your regular golf handicapping routine, but it’s really a critical step for this event. Some golfers are up to the task of competing at the US Open and other majors, while others just aren’t. Also, take a deep dive and see how the golfers you are interested in have fared at this year’s course in the past.
• Study prop offerings for performance clues: The prop market can actually be a handy research tool. As you scroll through the offerings, make note of the golfers with lots of props attached and any notable performance metrics. Those who have a high bar set by the oddsmakers could be ones to watch over the four-day event.
• Get a read on public sentiment and smart money: If you keep an eye on the movements in the futures market, you can get a good handle on where the public money is flowing. This is especially true for potential dark horse contenders. On the smart money, look for big shifts in the odds for certain golfers, which could be a sign of major bets coming in.

Tips for playing US Open golf DFS

Following the introduction of daily fantasy sports for golf, it was considered a niche offering. It’s a vastly different story these days. DFS golf has turned out to be one of the most popular offerings from the industry leaders: DraftKings and FanDuel.

It works similar to the other DFS contests you know and love. As opposed to picking players to fit in at certain positions, you can build a lineup out of any of the golfers scheduled to compete.

Naturally, there’s a salary cap involved, so you can’t just pick all of the superstars and call it a day. You have to dig deep and find selections from the middle and lower tiers of salary to build out a lineup that fits under that cap, and hopefully one that will be competitive.

The standard DFS game types are all offered for golf, including 50/50s and GPP tournaments. For the latter, the bigger the event, then the larger the prize pool. When it comes to golf’s majors, top prizes can reach a staggering $1 million in the biggest tourneys.

You won’t have any trouble finding DFS advice on the interwebs or social media, but there will still be some legwork involved. Here are some tips to help you build a competitive lineup for the US Open in no time.

• Lean on sources you trust: There are numerous sites out there that provide DFS advice and tools you can use to build lineups. While you shouldn’t solely be relying on easily accessible information such as this, it can save you lots of time. Examine the advice from a few spots you trust and form a consensus opinion that you can use as a basis.
• Examine salary in relation to potential output: Building a solid DFS lineup is tricky, and the salary cap is a big reason why. When you have a shortlist of golfers you’re interested in, go through the expected output from each and compare it to the salary you’ll be paying. This exercise can help you spot the golfers who may be over- or under-valued.
• Apply what you learned from handicapping the tournament: Yep, the same things you learned while getting ready to place your bets can be applied here. Course history, performance at the event, and recent form are among the valuable pieces of intel that can come in quite handy while building out a DFS golf lineup. You’ve already done the homework, so be sure to use what you learned.

Where can I watch the US Open livestream?

The TV home for US Open golf is NBC. You’ll be able to catch a good deal of the action on the main network, while Golf Channel and Peacock will also have early-round and off-hours coverage.

NBC and Golf Channel are available for streaming on the web or via app with a number of cord-cutting and cable packages. Please note, however, that you will need valid login credentials from your provider.

Peacock is a newer streaming option you have to sign up for individually. There are fee and subscription models, but be sure to check the specifics when it comes to streaming live sports.

Certain sportsbooks do provide coverage of golf on a hole-by-hole basis, but that also depends on the tournament at hand. For the US Open, check with the books you’re playing on, as they won’t be shy about letting you know about any live coverage options.

At a minimum, those looking to bet live on the event will be able to get a detailed glimpse of what’s going on at the present time, but that won’t necessarily include live visual coverage of the golfers on the course.