Phil Mickelson final month throughout LIV Golf’s occasion in Virginia.
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Adam Hadwin? He was 300-1.
Rory McIlroy (at 10-1, according to golfodds.com) was a lot farther up the board. But Joel Dahmen (300-1)? And Callum Tarren (2,000-1)? And M.J. Daffue? And David Lingmerth? They weren’t. But all made up the highest of the leaderboard after one spherical of final yr U.S. Open — Hadwin led by a shot over McIlroy, Dahmen, Tarren, Daffue and Lingmerth.
And the purpose of this pretty introduction?
Don’t sleep on the sleepers throughout this yr’s enjoying of the nationwide championship!
Shoot your shot with a protracted shot at Los Angeles Country Club!
Ride the darkish horse! And on and on.
It’s right here the place we’ll say that among the many group above, solely McIlroy hung across the high 5 by way of 4 rounds. The U.S. Open sometimes does a very good job of figuring out the creme de la creme.
But all these dudes can play. Through 18 holes final yr at The Country Club in Massachusetts, that a lot was clear.
With that, members of our workers have every picked a protracted shot. The hope is, after all, we allow you to with your personal weekly picks, whether or not these are for a low-stakes workplace fantasy league, or (authorized!) big-bucks bets with a sportsbook.
On to our picks.
2023 U.S. Open sleeper picks to look at
Ryan Barath
Sleeper decide: Rickie Fowler, +6,600. Rickie has been having an awesome season, and though he had a troublesome Sunday at Memorial, his play throughout the remainder of the occasion demonstrated that he can deal with robust programs. LACC goes to be enjoying agency and quick, and I feel this might be the proper place for him to not solely snag his first win shortly but additionally his first main.
Josh Berhow
Sleeper decide: Phil Mickelson, +15,000: Did I actually wish to decide Phil as a sleeper? No, not likely. But did I feel his odds would make him this a lot of a protracted shot? No means. Hey, the man confirmed us at the Masters that he’s nonetheless received loads of recreation left, and you understand how a lot finishing the profession grand slam means to him. Plus, there’s additionally all that golf information you might have heard about within the final week, and it’s protected to imagine that’s taken just a little little bit of weight off Mickelson’s shoulders. The man’s gotta be getting into LACC driving excessive.
James Colgan
Sleeper decide: Gary Woodland, +12,500. I can see it now: Gary Woodland wins the U.S. Open by three strokes. Rather than the tasteful finish to a turbulent two weeks within the sport we’re all anticipating, the golf world as a substitute involves phrases with the least narratively fulfilling victory in the complete discipline. As Woodland walks away together with his second main in 5 years, his win serves as a reminder that nothing actually issues anyway.
Dylan Dethier
Sleeper decide: Adam Scott, +8,000. What’s tan and tan and tan throughout? Adam Scott in a sweater and slacks within the Southern California sunshine. The Aussie is displaying sneaky type; after beginning 2023 with eight consecutive finishes exterior the highest 20, he’s logged three high 10s in 4 begins. This man at this value looks as if a worthwhile choice.
Nick Dimengo
Sleeper decide: Sahith Theegala, +5,000. My finest buddy despatched me a soundbite from Theegala’s latest look on the Beyond the Clubhouse podcast that I discovered fascinating (7-minute mark). While I attempted to dismiss it, it’s too arduous to disregard — the 25-year-old has performed LACC greater than 30 instances. It’d be a helluva story for the native child to return dwelling and take the leap into PGA superstardom, wouldn’t it?
How usually favorites win tournaments (and when to wager on them)
Nick Piastowski
Jessica Marksbury
Sleeper decide: Sahith Theegala, +5,000. This Southern California child might be ignored in favor of the opposite locals this week, however he’s confirmed his capability to carry out on a giant stage. His outcomes have been a bit middling over the previous few weeks, however he was ninth at the Masters and I feel he’s prime for a significant breakout.
Zephyr Melton
Sleeper decide: Phil Mickelson, +15,000. I’ll go together with my coronary heart right here. There’s no single match any golfer desires greater than Phil desires the U.S. Open, and it positive could be cool to see him do it. SoCal man competing near dwelling ought to give him some further motivation, too. Let’s see a profession grand slam.
Nick Piastowski
Sleeper decide: Adam Scott, +8,000. LACC requires an even-keeled participant, and Scott is that. He’s additionally gained at Riv.
Tim Reilly
Sleeper decide: Phil Mickelson, +15,000. Coming off my Homa-to-win prediction, I do suppose the opposite course this U.S. Open can go is insanity. Before Phil took on the PGA Tour, he took on the USGA. How loopy would it not be to see Phil, at this level in his profession, win the championship that has eluded him for thus lengthy? After all of the drama lately, months, weeks and days. Maybe we’re destined for extra insanity within the golf world. Unlikely? Yes. More unlikely than the PGA Tour and Public Investment Fund coming collectively? No. It may occur.
Four consultants on methods to wager on PGA Tour golf like an expert gambler
Nick Piastowski
Josh Sens
Sleeper decide: Gary Woodland, +12,500. Despite a missed reduce at Oak Hill, Woodland has been displaying promising indicators. A high 15 at Augusta. A high 10 at Riviera, simply down the highway (and by the identical architect, if you’re inclined to suppose that type of factor issues). The chalk lately in golf is so dominant that it’s arduous to think about anybody however Scheffler, Rahm or Koepka profitable. But at 125-1? That’s an affordable play.
Marley Sims
Sleeper decide: Rickie Fowler, +6,600. Rickie Fowler has been displaying robust type of late. One of the preferred execs to have by no means gained a significant, he will get it carried out this week.
Jonathan Wall
Sleeper decide: Justin Suh, +12,500. Bay Area man who went to highschool at USC and has some LACC course data. He’s performed nicely for stretches over the previous month however hasn’t been in a position to string 4 good rounds collectively. I feel that adjustments at the U.S. Open. Expect Suh to be within the hunt on the weekend.
