2020 US Open Matchup Odds and Picks

• The top players in the world head to Mamaroneck, New York to tackle Winged Foot Golf Club for the 120th U.S. Open from Sept 17th-20th
• Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, and Brian Harman are some of our favorite players to win their matchups this week in New York
• Read below to find out the best matchup plays for the 2020 U.S. Open

The second major of the calendar year finally takes place in New York at Winged Foot’s West Course for the 120th edition of the United States Open. Winged Foot is one course that no professional takes lightly. The iconic track is a Par 70 at 7,477 yards with some of the thickest rough you’ve ever laid eyes on.

In the US Open odds, Dustin Johnson is the favorite heading into the week at +850. The Spaniard, Jon Rahm, is not far behind Johnson as his odds are set at +900.

The last time the U.S. Open was held at Winged Foot was in 2006, when Geoff Ogilvy emerged victorious after Phil Mickelson blew up on his 18th hole in the final round.

I went 3-0 last week in my matchup plays at the Safeway Open with Harry Higgs leading the way. In colder weather, thick rough, and a very long golf course – experience, and patience will pay off at Winged Foot.

Let’s take a look at my three favorite matchup plays for this week.

2020 US Open Tournament Matchup Odds

All Odds Taken Sept 16th

Tommy’s Kind of Tournament

As I mentioned above, course management and patience are key in tournaments like the US Open. With how tough the course is going to be playing, golfers won’t be able to go at every pin, especially out of the rough.

These kinds of tournament’s set up very well for Tommy Fleetwood. At the 2018 US Open at Shinnecock Hills, Fleetwood was fourth heading into the weekend, but a 78 on Saturday threw him off course.

The Englishman showed his mental toughness bouncing back with a 7-under par 63 final round, which almost gave him his first major title.

He also finished second place at the 2019 British Open at Royal Portrush. In another major with very tough conditions, Fleetwood showed his composure and masterful iron play in tough winds.

The 29-year-old hasn’t had a great 2020 in the United States, however, solid play at the Portugal Masters last week will hopefully give him more confidence heading into this week. Fleetwood was first in Strokes Gained: Approach, third in Strokes Gained: Around the Green, and first in Strokes Gained: Tee to Green, as he finished tied-third last week in Portugal.

Fleetwood’s matchup is against Adam Scott this week. Scott finished seventh at the U.S. Open last year but missed the cut in 2017 and 2018. Fleetwood plays much better in conditions like these, where Scott usually needs to rely on his aggression and distance to finish well. Roll with the Englishman.

Pick: Tommy Fleetwood (-118)

Hatton’s Major Weekend

Tyrrell Hatton has been having a great season, especially since the restart. The Englishman is up to 14th in OWGR and won the Arnold Palmer Invitational back in March for his first PGA Tour victory.

Since the restart, Hatton finished tied-third at the RBC Heritage, tied-fourth at the Rocket Mortgage Classic, and seventh at the Tour Championship.

Fewest PGA Tour starts among players who qualified for the FedEx Cup playoffs:

12—Shane Lowry, Justin Rose, Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, Webb Simpson
11—Tom Lewis, Louis Oosthuizen, Dustin Johnson
10—Tommy Fleetwood, Patrick Cantlay
9—
8—Adam Scott, Tyrrell Hatton
7—
6—
5—Tiger Woods

— Dan Rapaport (@Daniel_Rapaport) August 18, 2020

Hatton clearly made the most of all of his starts on the PGA Tour this season. Like Fleetwood, he plays very well in tough conditions where scoring is not easy. Hatton finished 10th at the 2015 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits, sixth at the 2018 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, fifth at the 2016 British Open, and sixth at last year’s Open Championship at Royal Portrush.

To play well at Winged Foot players need to be dialled from 100 yards and in, and Hatton has been. The 28-year-old is up against Harris English this week in his matchup. English has not placed better than 37th in five U.S. Open appearances and does hit it far but not particularly straight. Go with Hatton.

Pick: Tyrrell Hatton (-134)

Underdog Play of the Week

A player who has started to play a lot better as of late is Brian Harman. Not the longest hitter, but he keeps it in the fairway and in tough conditions could very well be in contention.

Harman is a magician around the greens with his wedges. Although this week’s rough won’t be very familiar considering it’s going to be insanely thick, he’ll be able to muster up some great shots.

The U.S. Open field is set!

144 players, including the final 5 exemptions – Sebastian Munoz, Brian Harman, Tyler Duncan, Mark Hubbard and Danny Lee – will compete for the 🏆 next week at Winged Foot.

— U.S. Open (@usopengolf) September 8, 2020

Harman got into the U.S. Open with two great performances in the playoffs. The 33-year-old finished tied-11th at the Northern Trust and tied-12th at the BMW Championship. Not to mention, Harman finished tied-second at the 2017 U.S. Open at Erin Hills.

Harman is fifth in Strokes Gained: Around the Green and 15th in Strokes Gained: Putting amongst this field in the last eight weeks on Tour. Brendan Todd is Harman’s matchup this week at Winged Foot. Todd missed the cut last year and has played well this year but at easier courses only. In tough conditions, I think Todd’s game will falter.

Pick: Brian Harman (+100)