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Oddsmakers Fading Brooks Koepka Prior to Start of 2019 US Open

Ryan Bolta

by Ryan Bolta in Golf

Updated Mar 25, 2020 · 10:39 AM PDT

Brooks Koepka
Brooks Koepka has won the past two US Opens. Photo by @GolfChannel (Twitter)
  • Brooks Koepka won the US Open in 2017 and 2018
  • Koepka also won the PGA Championship last month
  • The tournament begins Thursday morning at Pebble Beach Golf Links in California

Brooks Koepka is the Rodney Dangerfield of golf.

First Fox failed to include the two-time defending champion in one of its promotional videos and now his US Open odds are getting worse at a number of online sportsbooks.

2019 US Open Odds

Golfer 2019 US Open Odds
Brooks Koepka +900
Dustin Johnson +900
Rory McIlroy +900
Tiger Woods +1100
Patrick Cantlay +1800
Jordan Spieth +2200
Xander Schauffele +2500
Jon Rahm +2800
Justin Rose +2800
Justin Thomas +2800
Rickie Fowler +2800

*Odds taken 06/12/19

Despite winning the US Open in both 2017 and 2018 Koepka is now being listed only as a co-favorite at Pebble Beach this week. The reasons make sense, but I still see a clear path to betting on him to making it three in a row.

Major Koepka Different Than Regular Tournament Koepka

The RBC Canadian Open was last week at Hamilton Golf & Country Club and Koepka didn’t look very good. He was quite clear the tournament was nothing more than a tune up but it still can’t be too comforting seeing him finish 20 shots behind the winner Rory McIlroy.

Despite finishing T-50 north of the border I don’t have any hesitation making Koepka my pick to win it. He seems to be focused almost singularly on winning majors and nothing else. Toss last week’s finish into the trash bin and focus more on his major wins, specifically in the US Open.

Stats Show Koepka Should Be in Contention

Pebble Beach is a gorgeous golf course when you’re casually walking it on a bucket list vacation. For the pros, however, the greens are tiny and fast and the rough is thick and punitive. With those parameters in mind, Koepka’s game is suited perfectly to take advantage of the ocean side course.

It’s playing short which should play into Koepka’s hands. He averages 308.6 yards off the tee which ranks 14th on tour. Even if he misses a fairway, he will have many short irons in his hands and has the strength to get the ball to the green.

This season he ranks 10th in greens in regulation at 70.5% and has a great chance to finish that high this week. Tee to green he’s gaining 1.301 shots, which ranks 12th, another number worth taking into account.

The Final Verdict

You can get +900 betting on a player who has proved multiple times he has what it takes to win major championships, specifically the tough US Open. Don’t overthink this and make sure you get some action in on the co-favorite before he tees off on Thursday.

Pick: Brooks Koepka (+900)

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