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Rory McIlroy the Favorite After 2 Rounds of US Open Despite Being 4 Shots Back of Gary Woodland

Michael Harrison

by Michael Harrison in Golf

Updated Mar 31, 2020 · 11:36 AM PDT

Rory McIlroy waving to a fan
Rory McIlroy finds himself four shots back of the lead at the US Open after shooting 2-under in Round 2. Photo from @WilliamHill (Twitter)
  • Gary Woodland leads the US Open by two strokes after two rounds
  • Plenty of big names right behind him including Rory McIlroy & Justin Rose
  • See the updated live odds entering Saturday at the 2019 US Open

Gary Woodland takes his first career 36-hole lead at a US Open after scorching Pebble Beach with just one bogey through his first two rounds, highlighted by a brilliant 6-under, 65 on Friday.

Heading into the week, his US Open odds were a very tantalizing 80-1, but he’ll have to fend off 2011 US Open champ Rory McIlroy and 2013 winner Justin Rose, among a host of other luminaries lurking.

Live 2019 US Open Odds After Round 2

Golfer Position Score Odds
Gary Woodland 1st -8 +450
Justin Rose 2nd -7 +450
Louis Oosthuizen 3rd -5 +1200
Rory McIlroy T-4th -5 +400
Aaron Wise T-4th -5 +3300
Brooks Koepka T-6th -4 +700
Matt Kuchar T-6th -4 +2500
Matt Wallace T-6th -4 +4000
Chez Reavie T-6th -4 +8000
Chesson Hadley T-6th -4 +15000

*Odds taken June 14th; follow the link in the table above to see all options

Don’t Bank on Woodland Winning the US Open

While he has contended in a major championship before, namely the 2018 PGA Championship where he was also the 36-hole leader, there isn’t enough evidence to suggest the three-time PGA Tour champ will add a major title to his trophy case.

Woodland shot a ridiculous 6-under, 65, tying the lowest 36-hole score to par at a US Open played at Pebble Beach. Before this week, his previous best position after two rounds in an Open was a tie for 12th in 2009.

While his only two career top-10’s in majors have come in his last three attempts, Woodland has just one victory on tour since 2013, meaning it’s just hard to fully trust him to get over the finish line come Sunday.

2023 The Open Championship Odds: Track the Favorites to Win at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club
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Rory McIlroy the Man to Beat Heading Into Weekend

With apologies to Woodland, Rory McIlroy is firing on all cylinders, save for a double-bogey on 14 Friday, and he’s the favorite for a reason, despite being four strokes behind.

McIlroy is coming off a scintillating victory in Canada last week to go along with his Players Championship trophy, and he’s in position to win his fifth career major title.

While his strokes gained stats this week don’t jump off the page, he’s in complete control of his game and is definitely a worthy bet despite trailing Woodland.

Best Live Value Picks at 2019 US Open

  1. Dustin Johnson (+2000): Seven back after two rounds. Hit the ball like a stud Friday but couldn’t make a slew of short putts. If those fall on the weekend, he’ll be right in the thick of things. T-2nd in greens in regulation & strokes gained on approaches through two days.
  2. Graeme McDowell (+6600): 2010 US Open winner at Pebble Beach in fine form (tie for 11th). Coming off an 8th place showing at last week’s RBC Canadian Open.
  3. Chesson Hadley (+15000): Will the one-time PGA Tour champ win the US Open? Probably not. But these odds are ridiculously good for a guy in a tie for 6th, just 5 strokes behind the leader.
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