The US Open begins Thursday at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, New York, and the odds have dropped again for favorite Dustin Johnson. The winner of the FedEx Cup saw his odds at DraftKings go from 9/1 10 days ago to 13/2 after winning the PGA Tour’s season-ending Tour Championship.
Johnson was 10/1 three months ago before going on a tear at the beginning of August. He tied for second at the PGA Championship, won the Northern Trust, finished second at the BMW Championship, and capped his season winning the Tour Championship.
Dustin Johnson’s US Open Results
| 2019 | T-35 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2017 | M/C |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2015 | T-2 |
| 2014 | T-4 |
| 2013 | 55 |
| 2012 | M/C |
Johnson, who won the US Open in 2016 with odds of 12/1, said he is ready for the season’s second major championship. He told reporters after winning the Tour Championship that he’s currently playing some of the best golf of his career.
“I am excited,†Johnson said. “Obviously I’m playing well. I’ve got a lot of confidence in the game, so I’m really looking forward to the next obviously couple months.â€
Former US Open Favorite Koepka Withdraws
Two-time US Open winner Brooks Koepka, who had been the US Open odds-on favorite at 8/1, won’t be teeing it up this week at Winged Foot. Koepka has been dealing with a bad knee and hip dating back to 2019.
It appeared Koepka’s health wasn’t an issue in June when the PGA Tour resumed after a 12-week break because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He finished seventh at the RBC Heritage in July, but then struggled in his next three events, missing two cuts, and finishing tied for 62nd at the Memorial. He finished tied for second at the FedEx St. Jude Invitational in August. His final two events saw him tie for 29th at the PGA Championship and miss the cut at the Wyndham Championship.
Koepka chose not to play in the FedEx Cup Playoffs with the intention of resting his body for the US Open. Oddsmakers, though, soured on Koepka, dropping him from 8/1 to 14/1. Koepka made the decision on Wednesday to withdraw from the US Open.
Koepka underwent a stem-cell procedure on his left knee last fall, and may have to have further procedures to get his body ready for the 2020-2021 season and the Masters, which will be held Nov. 12-15.
What About Tiger, Phil?
Woods, who failed to make the Tour Championship for the second consecutive year, had a week to prepare for the major championship. Woods, who had 14/1 odds to win the US Open in June, has seen a drop to 28/1. The 15-time major winner got a round in at Winged Foot on Sunday, as well as some practice time.
Mickelson has seen his odds increase as well. Three months ago, he was at 65/1, but DraftKings now has him at 80/1. That didn’t stop one anonymous gambler from putting a $45,000 bet on Mickelson to win the US Open at 75/1 odds. If Mickelson wins his first US Open, the bettor will collect $3.375 million.