Open Golf In Play Betting
When the world’s top golfers square off on some of the most picturesque courses in the world, it’s must-see viewing. If you add a little skin in the game, the action becomes that much more intense.
Golf might not be the first sport you think of when it comes to betting, but it offers some great opportunities to bet Read more at OpenOdds.com.
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The US Open is usually held in roughly the middle of the yearly calendar, which makes it even more attractive from a betting perspective. By that point, the majority of the PGA season and The Masters are in the books and there are plenty of betting cues for US Open picks.
You can always expect the US Open to be one of the most challenging golf events of the year and it takes a certain kind of golfer to excel. There’s no shortage of ways to make US Open bets ranging from the active futures market to head-to-head match-ups to live betting. We’ll cover everything you need to know to get set for betting on the US Open right here.
How to Bet on the 2021 US Open
Best US Open betting apps
While there are a number of different places where you can place your bets, some options are better than others. Here are the top betting apps you can use to place your US Open bets.
- DraftKings Sportsbook: The DFS giant DraftKings has emerged as one of the top sports betting operators, as well. A slick platform, wide range of markets and various golf betting options await. Get $50 free and up to $1,000 in bonuses.
- FanDuel Sportsbook: Another DFS leader that has made headway in sports betting. FanDuel is known for being user-friendly, and it offers a full menu of golf betting choices. Get up to a $1,000 risk-free bet.
- BetMGM Sportsbook: The well-known casino brand has taken the wraps off its sports betting product to rave reviews. Golf bettors will find all the action they’re looking for at BetMGM Sportsbook. Get up to a $600 risk free bet.
Signing up for each of these sportsbooks is seamless. Get started by clicking through on our exclusive links to take advantage of the welcome offers. From there, you’ll just need to enter a few pieces of information to create your account. The entire process takes just minutes, so you’ll be good to go in no time.
One other note to keep in mind: those who live in a state that has yet to get on the ball with legal sports betting aren’t entirely out of luck. If you live in a neighboring state to one that has put up a green light, there’s nothing stopping you from taking a trek to open an account.
For example, those in Chicago can head over to Indiana and to make US Open bets. The same applies for those in New York who are just a car ride away from New Jersey.
You can sign up for an account in one of the legalized states, deposit funds and place your bets. If you want to head home from there to watch the action, go for it. You’ll still be able to manage your account in your home. But when it’s time to place bets again, you’ll need to be within the borders of the legalized state.
How to bet on the US Open online
As the legal sports betting industry continues to take shape across the US, several states have taken the ball and run with it. Here are the states that have emerged so far. Each of them is serviced by some of the top operators in the industry.
State | Online / Mobile | Retail |
---|---|---|
New Jersey Sports Betting | Yes | Yes |
Pennsylvania Sports Betting | Yes | Yes |
Colorado Sports Betting | Yes | Yes |
Indiana Sports Betting | Yes | Yes |
Iowa Sports Betting | Yes | Yes |
West Virginia Sports Betting | Yes | Yes |
Virginia Sports Betting | Yes | No |
New Hampshire Sports Betting | Yes | No |
Illinois Sports Betting | Yes | Yes |
Michigan Sports Betting | Yes | Yes |
Tennessee Sports Betting | Yes | No |
US Open 2021 odds
The futures market for golf is incredibly active and you can place your bet on the outright winner far in advance of the tournament. You’ll find differing prices for the world’s top golfers at various sportsbooks. That’s a positive for futures bettors, as they can shop around and find the best price for those on whom they wish to place bets.
As soon as 2021 US Open odds are released at online sportsbooks, you’ll find them listed here.
One other note: you may hear mention of “Vegas odds” from time to time. Back in the day, the odds from Sin City were the ones to watch. Now that sports betting has been legalized elsewhere in the US, it’s a different ballgame. While it certainly doesn’t hurt to take a gander at the odds from the top books in Las Vegas, you’ll find that the major online and mobile operators are in range of the market consensus.
The most important thing for the bettor is the price paid. As such, focus on the books that you have access to, compare lines, and feel free to check how they stack up with the Vegas odds to get an even better read on overall market sentiment.
Golfers to watch at the US Open
The top of the odds board for the US Open futures market includes probably a dozen golfers with a legitimate shot to win the event. Of course, some of them stick out as having a better shot than the rest. Here are four favorites to watch.
- Brooks Koepka: He’s the consensus favorite for a reason. Koepka has won two of the last four US Open golf tournaments.
- Gary Woodland: The 2019 US Open champion put forth a stellar four days of golf at Pebble Beach in California last year. Woodland shot a -13 for the tournament, which left him three strokes ahead of Koepka when all was said and done. A return to Southern California might bode well for him.
- Justin Thomas: Thomas is a mainstay at the top of the Official World Golf Rankings. He has justified the ranking with perpetual excellent starts and frequent top 10 finishes.
- Tiger Woods: When Tiger is in the field, he attracts lots of betting action. While a lot of that is for sentimental reasons and due to his extraordinary popularity, Woods can still bring it – let’s not forget his 2019 Masters win and his 2008 US Open win at Torrey Pines.
US Open bets to consider
There’s much more to US Open betting in 2020 than just the futures market. You’ll find a range of betting opportunities to consider.
- Finishing position: You’ll find odds and betting opportunities for golfers to finish in the top five, 10 or 20.
- Head-to-head: These popular bets revolve around pairs of golfers as chosen by the sportsbook.
- Group betting: Similar to betting on pairs, you’re selecting the top finisher from a group of golfers.
- Nationality of winner: If you think a golfer or two from a certain country has a great shot at winning, you can place a bet here.
- 2-balls or 3-balls: Your goal is to find the lowest-scoring golfer from a group of two or three or to choose a tie if you think that’s in the cards.
- Round leaders: These bets revolve around the individual leaders for each round of the tournament.
- Each way: This is a great bet to consider for a golfer you expect to perform well, as it covers an outright win or placing highly such as in the top three.
- Golfer vs. field: Generally offered for the biggest favorites, you’re deciding whether you think the favorite will outscore either certain golfers or the entire field.
For additional insight into betting on golf and the best types of bets you can place, you can visit our golf betting page here.
US Open live betting
Also known as in-play betting, live betting has become one of the most popular offerings at legal and regulated sportsbooks. Sportsbooks with live betting allow you to bet as the action unfolds in real time.
Let’s just say that it only helps to enhance the enjoyment of a golf tournament. Odds and markets move fast in live betting, but you’ll have a number of different options to consider as the tournament plays out.
- How a golfer will score on the next hole
- Outright winner of the tournament
- Round leaders
- Over/under on round score for golfers
- Result of next shot
And more. To take full advantage of all that live betting has to offer, an app is the best way to go. Think of the app as having your own personal sportsbook in your pocket.
You can’t always be in front of the tube or online, but a sports betting app can go with you anywhere. At some operators, you even get the added bonus of being able to live stream the action as it takes place.
When is the 2021 US Open?
Here’s what you need to know about the 2021 US Open.
- Date: June. 17-20, 2021
- Location: San Diego, California
- Course: Torrey Pines South Course
- Organizer: United States Golf Association
- Par: 72
- Length: 7,698 yards
- Par 3s: Four
- Par 5s: Four
- Cut: Top 60 and ties after round two
- Golfers in field: 156
- Prize pool: $12.5 million
- 1st place: $2,250,000
- Course designer: William F. Bell in 1957
- Renovations: Rees Jones in 2001
- Last US Open hosted: 2008 (Tiger Woods beat Rocco Mediate in playoff)
- US Open defending champion: Bryson Dechambeau
Where to watch
Fox Sports holds the broadcast rights for the 2021 US Open. The action will be carried live on Fox and FS1. Streaming will be available on the Fox Sports app and at FoxSports.com.
Since Fox has thrown its hat into the sports betting ring through its Fox Bet app in partnership with The Stars Group, it’ll be interesting to see what kind of wagering tie-ins we may see.
In addition, don’t forget that certain books have streaming capabilities. This can be an invaluable resource when on the go, not to mention a huge help when it comes to live betting.
For a best-of-both-worlds approach, you can stream the live action on the Fox Sports app and keep your sportsbook of choice open in another tab to have access to both right away.
US Open trivia/errata
The first US Open was contested in 1895. England’s Horace Rawlins won the inaugural event, which was held at Newport Country Club in Newport, Rhode Island. Scotland’s Willie Dunn was runner-up.
Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the US Open is that while it’s a golf major, amateurs can qualify to compete. To register, golfers must have a verifiable USGA Handicap Index of 1.4 or less.
From there, it’s a series of local qualifying events held from April through May, followed by a stage of sectional qualifiers. In 2019, 15 amateurs made it all the way to Pebble Beach. That’s down from 21 who advanced in 2018, but an increase from the 14 who made it that far in 2017.
The last amateur to shock the world and win the whole thing came back in 1933 as Johnny Goodman bested runner-up Ralph Guldahl by one stroke at North Shore Country Club in Glenview, Illinois. All told, five amateurs have won the event, including a staggering four by Bobby Jones.
Here are some other fun facts about one of golf’s signature events.
- Oldest golfer to win: Hale Irwin, 1990, 45.
- Youngest golfer to win: John McDermott, 1911, 19.
- Youngest golfer to qualify: Andy Zhang, 14, 2012.
- Golfer with most runner-up finishes: Phil Mickelson, six, most recently in 2013.
- Biggest winning margin since 2000: Tiger Woods, 15 strokes in 2000.
- Best four-day score since 2000: 271 — twice, 2014 and 2019.
- Over-par wins since 2000: Five, most recently with a +1 by Brooks Koepka in 2018.
- Even-par wins since 2000: Two, most recently for Graeme McDowell’s victory in 2010.
- One-stroke victories since 2000: Six, most recently in 2018.
- Best to par score since 2000: -16. Two times, most recently by Koepka in 2017.
- Worst to par winner since 2000: +5, two times, back-to-back in 2006 and 2007.
- Last playoff: Tiger Woods outlasted Rocco Mediate in 2008.
In a perfect world, the 2021 US Open will be a memorable tournament that does nothing but add to the rich history of one of golf’s signature events. We’ve been treated to a number of thrilling US Opens through the years. Here are the winners from the last decade of the event.
Year | Golfer | Course | Location | Final Score | To Par |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2020 | Bryson Dechambeau | Winged Foot Golf Club | Mamaroneck, NY | 274 | -6 |
2019 | Gary Woodland | Pebble Beach Golf Links | Pebble Beach, CA | 271 | -13 |
2018 | Brooks Koepka | Shinnecock Hills | Shinnecock Hills, NY | 281 | +1 |
2017 | Brooks Koepka | Erin Hills | Erin, WI | 272 | -16 |
2016 | Dustin Johnson | Oakmont Country Club | Oakmont, PA | 276 | -4 |
2015 | Jordan Spieth | Chambers Bay | University Place, WA | 275 | -5 |
2014 | Martin Kaymer | Pinehurst Resort | Pinehurst, NC | 271 | -9 |
2013 | Justin Rose | Merion Golf Club | Ardmore, PA | 281 | +1 |
2012 | Webb Simpson | Olympic Club | San Francisco, CA | 281 | +1 |
2011 | Rory McIlroy | Congressional Country Club | Bethesda, MD | 268 | -16 |
Open Golf In Play Betting Sites
US Open Championship DFS
DFS golf has emerged as one of the most popular offerings at the industry’s leading operators. Both DraftKings DFS and FanDuel DFS offer games for all of the PGA Tour events.
While all of the regular tournaments attract users, the action really intensifies when the majors come around. As such, the biggest tournaments are offered when the big tournaments are on the docket, including the US Open.
The largest GPP tournaments for the US Open will attract thousands of entrants and offer some eye-popping prize pools. There are a number of other ways to play outside of GPPs, including 50/50s and head-to-heads. Each of the game types will be offered at varying price points that can fit in any budget, ranging from low stakes to high-entry-fee contests.
On DraftKings and FanDuel, your goal is to put together a lineup that outscores the competition. You’ll choose six golfers from the pool of those slated to compete. However, it’s not as simple as just picking anyone you want. There’s a salary cap that you need to adhere to, and that opens up a host of strategy elements.
Typically, the biggest favorites for the tournament will be the most expensive golfers of the week. Below them will be a wide range of mid-priced plays, followed by a value tier at the bottom.
For one simple strategic approach, you can zero in on two of the priciest golfers of the week that you like. Consider these two plays to be the anchor for your lineup. From there, select your favorite mid-range and value plays. Just like that, you have four spots filled out.
Afterwards, you can focus your efforts on filling the next two spots with those that make the most sense while keeping the salary cap in mind. Among the items you can examine while screening golfers are course history, recent play, average fantasy points scored for the season, and the odds for golfers to reach the top 10.
If you need some help in constructing your fantasy lineups, there are plenty of resources available on the internet, such as lineup picks and optimizers. However, it’s important to keep in mind that others will be doing the same. If you want a lineup that’s really going to make some noise on the leaderboard, you’re going to have to find a unique pick or two to help set your group of golfers apart.
Who won the first US Open Championship?
The 2020 championship marked 125 years since the first event took place at Newport Country Club in RhodeIsland.
Englishman HoraceHawkins, 21, won the first tournament, who hadn’t long taken up a position at the club itself. He received $150 cash out of a prize fund of $335, a gold medal. His club received the USOpen championship cuptrophy, presented by the USGA.
It was a 36-hole competition played in a single day, setting in motion total dominance by Brits until John McDermott became the first native-born American winner in 1911.
The host nation went on to provide winner after winner through subsequent decades. Since 1950, only six other countries saw tournament winners, with SouthAfrica landing the prize five times since 1965.
The modern championship is tough, testing, colorful and watched by millions both at the course and on television.
What is the US Open?
Today’s US Open is a 72-hole major golf tournament on the PGA and European tours and consists of four rounds on an 18-hole course. It’s staged by the United States Golf Association (USGA) and held at a variety of courses across America, which involves players from all around the world.
Its final round will be on Father’s Day, June 21.
How is the US Open structured?
First of all, any male or female golf professional or amateur with a USGA Handicap Index not exceeding 1.4 can take part in qualifying.
Open Golf In Play Betting
Some players are exempt from qualifying for the 156-strong field, which amounts to around half of the field.
Exemptions will include, for example, the last winner of the US Senior Open Championship, and the previous three years’ winners of the PlayersChampionship.
Qualifying takes place at various international courses before the third of the four majors begins in June.
A typical US Open course is quite long, with a high cut of primary or open/rough grass, undulating greens and severely testing fairways. Also, it includes two or three short par 5s on the 18-hole course.
The player who takes the lowest number of strokes to get around the course in the four days of competition will become champion, lifting the magnificent (and sizable) trophy.
The qualifier tournaments
Players gain entry into the US Open through 110 local tournaments at courses in Texas earlier in the year. These tourneys involve 18 holes of stroke play.
Those players finishing high enough will then advance to a sectionalqualifier over 36 holes of stroke play. Once again, those ending the tournament in a high enough position will go through to the final 156-strong field.
There are 12 courses involved in sectional qualifying involving the UnitedStates, Canada, Japan and England.
On May 20, golf fans saw 10 players emerge from Bent Tree Country Club and Northwood Club, both in Dallas.
The spotlight then shifted to Japan in when three places were up for grabs at the KuwanaCountryClub in Mie Prefecture.
From there, things began to heat up as a carefully chosen list of venues came into play:
- Walton Heath Golf Club, Surrey, England
- RattleSnake Point Golf Club, Milton, Ontario, Canada
- Big Canyon Country Club, Newport Beach, Calif.
- Newport Beach Country Club, Newport Beach, Calif.
- Streamsong Resort, Bowling Green, Fla.
- Hawks Ridge Golf Club, Ball Ground, Ga.
- Woodmont Country Club, Rockville, Md.
- Century Country Club, Purchase, N.Y.
- Old Oaks Country Club, Purchase, N.Y.
- Brookside Golf & Country Club, Columbus, Ohio
- Scioto Country Club, Columbus, Ohio
- Springfield Country Club, Springfield, Ohio
- Wine Valley Golf Club, Walla Walla, Wash.
US Open tournament schedule
Spectators will find pairing guides as they enter the main championship gates. Although changes to the schedule are possible, this is how it stands.
In the first two rounds, championship play will begin from the first and 10th tees at 6:45 a.m.
Gates will be open at the following times:
- Thursday: From 6 a.m. until the close of play.
- Friday: From 6 a.m. until the close of play.
When it comes to the final two rounds, starting times will be decreed by the number of players making the cut. Typically, the first pairing will start from the first tee between 8 and 9 a.m.
Gates will be open at the following times:
- Saturday: From 6 a.m. until the close of play.
- Sunday: From 6 a.m. to the championship conclusion/presentations.
If a playoff is necessary, this will commence as soon as possible after play.
Do longshots win the US Open?
Most definitely yes.
Even though the top players do tend to dominate, the beauty of sport is we can never be sure what will happen, especially over four days of intense competition.
Looking back, 1913 saw what is still regarded as one of the biggest ever surprises in golf, as amateur FrancisOuimet triumphed against all odds at the US Open.
Francis Ouimet
The US Open invited Ouimet to play in 1913 at the Country Club in Brookline, Mass., a familiar course close to his home.
British champions HarryVardon and TedRay were the favorites alongside reigning US Open champion, McDermott. The youngster played brilliantly across all four rounds capturing the imagination of the public and forcing a playoff against Vardon and Ray.
All three were tied at even-par approaching the turn. Then Ouimet had a bogey-free back nine carding a 72 (–1), Vardon was runner up with 77, with Ray completing the challenge in third with a 78.
The 23-year-old with a working-class background had finished birdie-par on the closing two holes as Vardon slipped, to end the playoff six strokes in front of Ray and five ahead of Vardon.
It was astonishing; a performance greatly responsible for an increase in the sport’s popularity in the States. He became known as the “Father of Amateur Golf” having also previously beaten some of the biggest stars in the game.
It was 17 years ago when MarkFrost wrote a biographical account of Ouimet’s US Open victory titled Greatest Game Ever Played. In 2005, a feature film based on the early life of Ouimet, which was directed by BillPaxton.
Johnny Goodman
The 37th US Open saw an amateur win it for the last time when JohnnyGoodman overcame RalphGuldahl by a single stroke to lift the silverware. The Omaha insurance salesman opened with a 75 (+3), placing him seven strokes off the lead held by Tommy Armour.
It got even better for Goodman as he entered the record books on the second day, drawing level with Gene Sarazen‘s tournament record of 66.
The North Shore Country Club in Glenview, Ill., had seen nothing like it as he powered toward a magnificent victory.
Johnny Miller
In 1973, JohnnyMiller began the final round a longshot six strokes back, in a four-way tie for 13th place at three strokes over par.
Anyone could have got great odds on him winning from this position, especially after his bogey at the eighth. It just didn’t seem possible he could go on to lift the trophy. But four quick birdies began to turn the situation around as people began to drop strokes all around him. Having shot a miraculous 63, he retired to the clubhouse to see if it might just be good enough.
When a tie was possible at the last hole, JohnShlee, also from the States, missed his long put to give Miller the title at a disbelieving Oakmont.
This is ranked as one of the greatest rounds ever in golf.
Hale Irwin
HaleIrwin was, of course, one of the world’s best golfers, winning several tournaments, including three US Open championships, the last of which put him into the record books.
Two weeks past his 45th birthday, however, he certainly wasn’t one of the favorites to win in 1990 at the Medinah Country Club in Illinois. Irwin had gone a long five years without a single PGA victory.
No one could have guessed what was about to happen as Irwin began the final round in a tie for 20th place, four strokes back of leaders Billy Ray Brown and MikeDonald. Irwin shot an incredible 67, including one staggering 45-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole, causing him to high-five with spectators in an impromptu lap of the green.
Irwin managed to force an 18-hole Monday playoff after Donald failed to sink a putt giving him victory.
It was the very first playoff needed in US Open history, and Irwin took his chance to record a truly amazing win.
By doing so, he broke the record set in 1986 by Raymond Floyd.
Michael Campbell
Michael Campbell was well known on the international circuits, but this determined New Zealander had little success on the PGA Tour.
His record from 62 events recorded not a single win and only six top 10s before the 2005 US Open at Pinehurst.
Even to qualify, Campbell found himself needing to make a six-foot birdie putt on the final hole. It brought the best out of him in the early part of the tournament.
By the final day, Campbell found himself four shots behind RetiefGoosen. Campbell, who carried long odds before the championship managed a one-under-par 69 as the three other golfers in the final two pairings failed to break 80.
A quick tournament history lesson
From its beginnings, the US Open was played alongside the then bigger and more prestigious US Amateur Championship.
In its early years, competitors were generally American amateurs and British professionals. Not one golfer born in America had ever managed to win his country’s national championship until McDermott broke through with a fine US Open win in 1911.
BobbyJones won his fourth and last Open title in 1930, adding to his triumphs in the US Amateur, British Amateur and British Open championships.
It proved to be a major achievement as nobody has done this since. It seems unlikely it will ever happen again given the level of the professional game today.
There were gaps in the tournament because of the two World Wars, but as popularity in the sport increased, the US Open got bigger and better across the years.
In 1965, Gary Player, from South Africa, became the first foreign player to triumph at the US Open in 40 years of trying.
It proved to be a breakthrough in the game as many other international players have now etched themselves onto the winner’s board. Between 1994 and 2010, eight of the 17 winners hailed from other countries.
Enter TigerWoods who, in 2000, secured the US Open by a record 15 strokes at Pebble Beach, establishing total dominance in the game.
He went on to win the next three major championships in succession, becoming the only player to simultaneously hold in order, the US Open, British Open, PGA Championship and Masters titles.