A golf world in turmoil attempts to turn its attention to another major championship this week.
The 2022 U.S. Open Championship will combine PGA Tour members with LIV Tour members for the first time since the new tour launched last weekend.
Though Tiger Woods will be physically unable to play, the third major of 2022 has plenty of interesting storylines for MI sports bettors to consider.
U.S. Open rundown
The U.S. Open is one of four annual major championships in golf. It is a four-day tournament featuring the best golfers in the world.
- Dates: June 16-19, 2022
- Location: Brookline, Mass.
- Course: The Country Club
- Par: 70
- Length: 7,264 yards
- TV and streaming: NBC, USA, Peacock
- Prize pool: $12.5 million in 2021
- First place share: $2.25 million in 2021
- Defending champion: Jon Rahm
Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas favorites entering the week
As we start the week, Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas find themselves as the favorites to win this week.
The two are coming off battling for the RBC Canadian Open title on Sunday, which McIlroy won.
With the win, McIlroy is now up to third in the world rankings. He’s finished in the top 10 in four of his last five events. McIlroy is a four-time major champion, including the 2011 U.S. Open.
Thomas is fifth in the world rankings and coming off an improbable win in the PGA Championship last month. It was his second major title.
Scottie Scheffler is also among the favorites as the No. 1 player in the world. He already has four wins in 2022, including The Masters. However, he missed the cut at the PGA Championship.
Last year’s winner, Jon Rahm, is also in the mix. Rahm is second in the world rankings. His PGA win last year was his first major. Rahm has been outside the top 25 in both majors for 2022.
LIV golfers in the field
The LIV Golf Tour made its debut this past weekend in London. While the PGA has issued a suspension of LIV players to its tour, major tournaments haven’t made the same commitment.
Included in that group are the likes of Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Louis Oosthuizen, Patrick Reed, Sergio Garcia and Phil Mickelson.
LIV is perhaps a growing threat to the PGA due to its heavy funding being backed by the Saudi government. In its first event, winner Charl Schwartzel collected nearly $4.5 million for finishing first individually and in the team format. That’s more than double the 2021 prize for winning the U.S. Open.
No Tiger Woods this week
Though Tiger Woods has played in the first two majors of 2022, he is sitting out this week.
Still recovering from his February 2021 car accident, Woods feels he needs to allow his body to rest.
“I previously informed the USGA that I will not be competing in the U.S. Open as my body needs more time to get stronger for major championship golf,” Woods tweeted. “I do hope and plan to be ready to play in Ireland at JP McManus Pro-Am and at The Open next month. I’m excited to get back out there soon.”
Woods made the cut at the 2022 Masters and PGA Championship. He finished 47th at Augusta, but withdrew following the third round of the PGA Championship due to discomfort in his legs.
Piot, Stuard represent Michigan
The state of Michigan has two notables in the field this week.
James Piot, the 2021 U.S. Amateur Championship, will be part of the event. Piot missed the cut at The Masters and has missed the cut at all five PGA events he has been in this year.
The Farmington Hills native did elect to take part in the LIV Tour last week in London. He finished tied for 25th and earned $166,000. For the U.S. Open, oddsmakers list Piot as a +40000 longshot.
Brian Stuard is another Michigander in the field. The Jackson native is playing in his seventh U.S. Open. He has made the cut just once.
In 2022, Stuard has missed nine of 18 cuts and finished in the top 10 in two tournaments. Oddsmakers are listing him at to win.
Win a golf experience with Barry Sanders at BetMGM
BetMGM Michigan is offering up a special promotion for the U.S. Open.
The 2022 BetMGM US Open Golf Lowest Score Predictor Challenge Free To Play Contest Promotion (yes it’s really that long) is free to play as long as you have a BetMGM account.
Then, you predict which golfer from a pool of eight will have the lowest score this weekend. You will do that for eight different pools.
If you get all eight correct, you are entered into a drawing. There, one winner will win a golf experience with Barry Sanders, along with a three-night stay at the MGM Grand Detroit, a $500 food & beverage credit and two tickets to the Rocket Mortgage Classic.
If the golfers you picked each make the cut, you’ll win up to $100 in free bets.
FanDuel offering winner’s insurance
At FanDuel Sportsbook MI, you can get back up to $25 on your tournament winner wager should the golfer you select finish in the top-10.
FanDuel is also offering up a pair of odds boosts.
- McIlroy, Will Zalatoris and Tony Finau all to make the cut: +110
- Justin Thomas & Jon Rahm to win their respective opening-round pairings: +400
Odds boosts at Caesars Sportsbook Michigan
Caesars Sportsbook MI is offering up some odds boosts for this week’s golf tournament.
Included are:
- Xander Schauffele to finish in the top 10: +220
- Shane Lowery to win: +3000
- Tony Finau to win: +4000
Caesars also has winner’s insurance if your pick finishes in the top 10. Get back up to $25 in a free bet.
