Ricky Dimon
Show Bio
The third major in the span of three months is upon us, with the U.S. Open getting started at Torrey Pines on Thursday. Who will become a major champion in 2021 along with Hideki Matsuyama (Masters) and Phil Mickelson (PGA Championship)? That’s right; Phil Mickelson just won a major at 50 years old. So it’s clear that you can’t look only at the favorites when making your best golf bets. As we make our daily fantasy lineup for the U.S. Open, we mix in some of the top players in the world along with some outsiders.
Let’s take a look.
Collin Morikawa ($9,500)
At 24 years old, Morikawa is already major winner (PGA Championship in 2020 soon after golf restarted following its Covid-19 pause) and is up to fourth in the official world golf rankings. The American has been in outstanding form in 2021, too, with six top-10 finishes since the turn of the calendar—including a runner-up performance at the Memorial last week. In his only previous start at Torrey Pines, Morikawa was T21 at the Farmers Insurance Open last February.
Xander Schauffele ($9,300)
Schauffele is tied as a +1500 second choice to win the tournament, trailing only Jon Rahm. If I had the first pick in a U.S. Open fantasy draft, Schauffele would be my selection—even ahead of Rahm, and also in front of Morikawa. The 27-year-old American has placed in the Top 14 in five of his last 10 starts, including a T3 performance at the Masters. Also encouraging is the fact that Schauffele was part of a five-way tie for second at the Farmers Insurance Open in February—which is held at none other than Torrey Pines. The world No. 6 looks poised to become a major champion.
Viktor Hovland ($9,200)
To say I am on the Hovland bandwagon would be a gross understatement. The former Oklahoma State standout is one of the brightest stars in the game. Bets on Hovland have paid out nicely in the past and I fully expect this one to profitable, as well. The world No. 13 is playing incredibly consistent golf, having made 18 of his last 19 cuts. This stretch includes one victory and two runner-up performances. Most importantly, one of those runner-ups came at Torrey Pines.
Marc Leishman ($7,400)
Leishman always seems to step up his game at majors. He has six top-10 finishes at the four biggest tournaments in the world, all since the start of 2013. The Australian’s most recent such performance came at the Masters two months ago, when he was fifth. This Torrey Pines venue should suit Leishman’s game even better than Augusta National does. After all, he won the Farmers Insurance Open in 2020 and finished T18 this earlier this year.
Adam Scott ($7,400)
Scott probably isn’t going to win the tournament (then again, Mickelson just won the PGA Championship so you can never really discount anyone), but he is almost sure to post a solid finish. The 40-year-old Aussie has made 18 of his last 19 cuts, a stretch that includes a top-10 performance at Torrey Pines. He was recently T16 at the Memorial.
Garrick Higgo ($7,200)
Making just his second-ever start on the PGA Tour, Higgo won last week’s Palmetto Championship. But don’t be fooled by that second-ever start thing, or by his age (22). This guy has plenty of experience; he has been lighting up the European Tour this entire season. Higgo is legit, and his fine form is likely to continue on one of the biggest stages in golf.
Want more picks and predictions for the 2021 U.S. Open? Check out all our expert previews below:
- 2021 U.S. Open winner picks and predictions
- Best prop bets for the 2021 U.S. Open
- Breaking down the top 10 players in U.S. Open betting
- Golf betting guide: Available markets for the U.S. Open
Pickswise is the home of free expert Golf Picks and Predictions. Our outright PGA expert picks go live every Tuesday, so be sure check out our golf picks, best bets, and analysis for the U.S. Open. We will also have our 2021 U.S. Open 3-ball picks and our best golf prop bets for each round of the 2021 U.S. Open.
