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Justin Rose the Slight Favorite Despite Trailing by 1 Shot at US Open

Michael Harrison

by Michael Harrison in Golf

Updated Apr 2, 2020 · 11:58 AM PDT

Gary Woodland will try to hold off Justin Rose and the rest of the field at the US Open. Photo by @PGATOUR (Twitter).
  • Gary Woodland leads the US Open by one stroke heading into final round
  • Major champs Justin Rose, Brooks Koepka, Rory McIlroy & Louis Oosthuizen are hot on his heels
  • See the updated live odds entering Sunday at the 2019 US Open

Gary Woodland backed up his strong play through 36 holes with a very solid 2-under 69 in his third round to open up a slim one shot margin heading into the final round over Justin Rose, who fired a 68.

Heading into the week, Woodland’s US Open odds were a very tantalizing 80-1, and he holds his first ever 54-hole lead at a major championship but has huge names right behind him ready to pounce should he stumble. Keep in mind, each of the last 20 US Open champs have been within four strokes of the lead entering the final round.

Live 2019 US Open Odds After Round 2

Golfer Position Score Odds
Gary Woodland 1st -11 +185
Justin Rose 2nd -10 +185
Brooks Koepka T-3rd -7 +450
Louis Oosthuizen T-3rd -7 +1200
Chez Reavie T-3rd -7 +2500
Rory McIlroy 6th -6 +1000
Matt Kuchar T-7th -5 +6600
Chesson Hadley T-7th -5 +15000
Jon Rahm T-9th -4 +10000
Matt Wallace T-9th -4 +20000

*Odds taken June 15th; follow the link in the table above to see all options

Don’t Bank on Woodland Winning the US Open

While we weren’t bullish on his chances heading into the weekend, Gary Woodland has made a believer out of us, having posted a tidy third round, and has just two bogeys through the first three days of the tournament.

Woodland made a pair of ridiculous par saves, from off the green on 12 and a bomb of a par putt on the 14th. This week, he’s fourth in greens in regulation so he’s going to be difficult to beat Sunday.

In his career, however, Woodland is a paltry 1-for-8 in converting 54 hole leads into victories, so with a slew of major champions pursuing him, make the difficult decision and don’t place a wager on the leader.

Brooks Koepka Poised to Three-Peat at US Open

Despite the fact that Justin Rose is in second place, he’s missing entirely too many greens to fully put all your faith into (63rd in greens in regulation.) He has, however, been amazing at recovering from all those missed greens, but it’s a tall task to assume it’ll continue when the screws tighten on Sunday.

The man poised to pounce is Brooks Koepka, who fired a bogey-free 68 and has hit the most greens in regulation this week. Should he win, he’d become just the second player (and first since 1905) to win three straight Opens. Put your faith in Koepka to win his fifth major in the last nine he’s contested in.

Best Live Value Picks at 2019 US Open

  1. Louis Oosthuizen (+1400): One of just eight men to finish runner-up in all four majors. 2010 British Open champ is long overdue for his first victory in the States. Hit every fairway Saturday and birdied three of his last four holes.
  2. Chez Reavie (+3300): If you took our advice after day 1, you’d have gotten him at juicy 66-1 odds. Third in strokes gained approaching the green this week and has had success at Pebble Beach, having been a runner-up in 2018.
  3. Matt Kuchar (+6600): FedEx Cup leader has two wins and two second place finishes this season. Six back entering Sunday so can post an early target for leaders to look at. Inside the top eight in five of his last seven tournaments.
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