“Previewing the Top Contenders and Their Chances for Winning the 2023 U.S. Open”

2023 U.S. Open Preview: Top Contenders and Winning Chances

The 2023 U.S. Open is set to take place at the Los Angeles Country Club for the first time in 75 years. As the top golfers in the world prepare to compete in the spotlight, fans and critics alike are wondering who the top contenders are and what their winning chances look like.

Betting Favorites

According to Caesars Sportsbook, world No. 1, Scottie Scheffler, is the current betting favorite for the U.S. Open, just like he was at the 2023 Masters and 2023 PGA Championship. Scheffler’s 2022 green jacket victory at the Masters coupled with his pair of runners-up finishes in major championships since then, make him a formidable contender. However, to claim his second major championship, he will need to beat reigning major champions, Jon Rahm and Brooks Koepka, who are hot on his heels with 8-1 and 17/2 odds, respectively.

Viktor Hovland is another young, rising star who is quickly becoming a fan favorite. Hovland has jumped from 18-1 to 10-1 in a matter of weeks due to his victory at the Memorial. He is the only player to finish inside the top 10 at each of the last three major championships. While momentum is on his side, it is the big Spaniard, Jon Rahm, who deserves attention. Across 25 career starts in the state of California, Rahm has five victories, including triumphs at the 2021 U.S. Open and down the street earlier this season at Riviera.

Almost-Favorites

As we move down the odds board, interesting names such as Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele, and Rickie Fowler, among others, get attention. Cantlay’s current form, Schauffele’s past major performances, and Fowler’s reputation as a major championship threat have put them in the almost-favorite category with odds of 14-1, 16-1, and 18-1, respectively.

Los Angeles native Max Homa is also one to watch with 16-1 odds, although this may be due to liability rather than actual performance. Homa holds the course record at LACC with a 61 during the 2013 Pac-12 Championships, but he is the only player inside the top 10 of the Official World Golf Rankings without a major top-10 finish. To win his first major championship, Homa would need to break a 43-major streak of champions having at least one top-10 finish before their victory.

In the Running

The eight players with odds ranging from 25-1 to 35-1 have a combined total of 11 major championships. Any one of them could emerge triumphant, but the favorite is Collin Morikawa, who has 25-1 odds. Morikawa withdrew from Memorial due to back spasms but looked promising before that. The 26-year-old is one of the most accurate drivers of the ball and the best iron player in the world, which plays well for U.S. Open conditions.

Friskier Picks

While outsiders with odds ranging from 40-1 to 50-1 may not be most people’s top pick, they can still surprise. Candidates this year include Tyrrell Hatton, who is playing the best golf of his career, and Rickie Fowler, who is surging with form and has made major championships his calling card before.

Sleepers

Although long-shot picks with odds of 55-1 or higher tend to favor the underdogs, there are still some strong candidates. Denny McCarthy is one such sleeper, with his odds of 100-1. The Virginia product finished T7 at The Country Club, which bodes well for him, as he tends to perform his best when conditions are the most difficult.

Editorial and Advice

Choosing a winner from a pool of talented golfers is always a difficult task. This year, with LACC’s tough course conditions, it is bound to be even more of a challenge.

While favorites such as Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm, and Brooks Koepka are formidable contenders, keep your eyes peeled for Viktor Hovland, who is quickly becoming a fan favorite, and Collin Morikawa, who is an accurate driver of the ball and excels in the U.S. Open conditions. These two golfers could pull off an unexpected win.

For friskier picks, players such as Tyrrell Hatton and Rickie Fowler are exciting choices to keep your eye on. Additionally, sleepers such as Denny McCarthy could also surprise and claim the ultimate prize.

Overall, the 2023 U.S. Open looks to be an exciting tournament with a variety of contenders. Golf enthusiasts should buckle up and get ready for a wild ride.