The Best US Open Live Bets to Make for Round 1

• The 125th U.S. Open Championship has teed off from Oakmont Country Club near Pittsburgh
• I’m bullish on Sam Burns and Aaron Rai to get the better of their head-to-head battles in the first round
• Read below for U.S. Open odds in the first round head-to-head betting markets

The third men’s major of 2025 has teed off, with Scottie Scheffler the favorite in the U.S. Open odds entering the tournament. Unsurprisingly he also went off as the top choice in the first-rounder leader odds, but he doesn’t tee off until 1:25pm ET on Thursday.

In this article, I’m going to explore some live bets you can make as the first round is underway from famed Oakmont Country Club, specifically in the head-to-head betting market. Why wait to potentially win cash Sunday when you can make some earlier on Thursday?

First-Round US Open Head-to-Head Pick #1

• Sam Burns (+100) over Corey Conners (-130)

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I’m going to tee off with the underdog Sam Burns to get the better of Corey Conners. Both are playing in the afternoon in separate groups, and Sam Burns has five PGA Tour victories to his credit, compared to two for his counterpart.

Just last Sunday, Burns nearly added to his total titles, losing an excruciating playoff to Ryan Fox, while Conners, at his national open, finished T-27th.

Recent PGA Tour Results Comparison

In the last five times they’ve played the same tournament, Burns has gotten the better of the Canadian three times, with Conners winning once, and it being a draw once. I like the play of selecting Burns as a darkhorse, given that he’s tops in putting this season, compared to 74th for his adversary.

Both aren’t especially great around the green (Burns 91st, Conners 113th), so I trust the better putter with a hot flatstick necessary for the brute that is Oakmont. In the last seven opening rounds at the same event, Burns has been better than Conners four times, had a draw once, and lost twice, so I’m bullish on him.

US Open Head-to-Head Live Bet #2

• Aaron Rai (-120) over Jason Day (105)

Englishmen Aaron Rai and Aussie Jason Day will both also tee it up in the afternoon, in separate groups. Both have had solid seasons, with Jason Day 44th on the FedEx Cup points list, and Rai 54th.

Rai typically gets off to better starts than Day, ranking 64th in Thursday scoring, compared to Day’s ghastly 144th rank. The last time Day teed it up, he missed the cut at last month’s PGA Championship, while Rai had a solid top-20.

Since that event, Day hasn’t been able to play while nursing a wrist injury. That doesn’t bode well for him in the lush, thick rough. On the campaign, Day is 109th in driving accuracy, while Rai sits atop everyone on the PGA Tour.

Season Strokes Gained Stats Comparison

In several key ‘strokes gained’ categories, Rai has gotten the better of Day. He’s not a household name, given that he just has one victory on the main circuit, compared to 13 for his opponent, which includes a PGA Championship. However, Rai is healthier and more solid statistically.

The numbers that really stick out to me are driving accuracy comparable, and the approaching the green. The putting is almost a wash, with Day just slightly better. Rai is the favorite in this one, and based on the statistical analysis, I’m quite confident he’ll be able to get the better of him.

Unfortunately, Day has had a string of injuries in his career that have prevented him from being even greater. This latest freak accident of hurting his wrist while moving a bike won’t serve him well at this tough venue.

US Open Live Leaderboard