The third major of the year is upon us but it will be a familiar face who is expected to stand tall as big-time golf returns to the famed Brookline Country Club for the first time this century.
Best Bet
Arguably the most important statistic in finding a US Open winner is Bogey Avoidance. Trouble is coming. Getting out of it is key. Thomas is the best in the business, leading the PGA Tour in the category. The other key factor is form from the tee to green. Thomas ranks 3rd in Strokes Gained: Tee To Green on the back of the best iron game in golf. He also ranks 14th in Strokes Gained: Off The Tee and Driving Distance while he ranks 6th in Scrambling. He has great credentials on Hanse courses and in the Northeast. Ticks every box.
Mid-Tier Bet
No player has kicked off his major career in finer style short of a win with five Top 8 finishes in his seven majors as a professional. He was just super at Southern Hills and that is good course guide for Brookline with Gil Hanse redesigning both. Zalatoris ranks 2nd in Strokes Gained: Tee To Green, 6th in Strokes Gained: Off The Tee, 6th in GIR and 15th in Driving Distance. He will be right in contention.
Value Bet
Aside from not being American, Sungjae Im profiles wonderfully for US Open success, hitting the right notes in terms of age, US Open history and experience, course fit, world ranking and leadup form. Im just has the perfect game for Brookline and a US Open. Im ranks 2nd in Bogey Avoidance, 3rd in Scrambling, 5th in Strokes Gained: Around The Green, 9th in Strokes Gained: Tee To Green, 9th in GIR, 11th in Total Driving and 12th in Strokes Gained: Off The Tee.
Longshot Bet
There is no better player off the tee among the triple figure shots than Luke List, who is overs in the win market but great value in the cut, Top 40 and Top 20 markets. List ranks 6th in Strokes Gained: Tee To Green, 11th in Strokes Gained: Off The Tee, 11th in Driving Distance and 15th in GIR.
