PGA betting saw the best players PGA Tour has to offer mostly be able to tame the ever-dangerous Winged Foot – at least for one day.
Justin Thomas is the first-round leader after firing a sublime 5-under-par 65 that featured six birdies and just one bogey as he enjoys a one-shot advantage over Patrick Reed, Thomas Pieters and Matthew Wolff. Three others (Rory McIlroy, Louis Oosthuizen and Lee Westwood) are next at 3-under as 31 players posted a first-round score of par or better at the super-long, super-challenging par-70 course, considered by many to be among the toughest in the world.
With the second round set to tee off at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, N.Y., we give our PGA golf picks, predictions and best bets for the U.S. Open Round 2 odds.
US Open Round 2 picks and predictions
Tiger Woods over Justin Rose (-105)
Woods could have had a much better score Thursday – and while plenty of golfers in the field probably feel that way, there was something about Woods's topsy-turvy 3-over 73 that actually leaves room for optimism Friday.
Woods had five birdies, including three straight from Holes 9-11, but finished bogey-double bogey with his final hole marred by a chunked chip shot that led to a knee-knocking bogey miss from nine feet. Look for Tiger to cut down on the mistakes and ride a strong putter to a win over Rose.
Mackenzie Hughes over Corey Conners (-110)
Fresh off an impressive showing in the 2020 FedEx Cup standings, Hughes did a terrific job of salvaging a respectable score after two double-bogeys in a four-hole stretch had him sitting 4-over through nine holes. Hughes went 2-under on Winged Foots' front nine – highlighted by three birdies in a six-hole stretch – and should be over to carry that momentum into Round 2. Conners went in the opposite direction (with five bogeys in a six-hole span in the middle of his round), which gives Hughes a slight edge here.
Dustin Johnson over Bryson DeChambeau/ Tony Finau (+150)
It takes a tough course to make Dustin Johnson look mortal – and Winged Foot fit the bill Thursday, as the FedEx Cup champion was humbled en route to a 3-over 73. Johnson hit just 12 of 18 greens in regulation, and then his putter let him down (1.78 putts per hole, ranking outside the Top 100).
But he has been on another level in recent weeks and should be able to shake off this dismal showing to top an impressive group that includes big hitter Bryson DeChambeau and the versatile Tony Finau.
Justin Thomas over Collin Morikawa/Tiger Woods (+115)
The last of our matchups plays is the one we feel best about Friday. Thomas was on another planet in Thursday's opening round, hitting 9 of 14 fairways and 14 of 18 greens in regulation, while averaging a rock-bottom 1.56 putts per green (ranking inside the Top 20).
Morikawa had a disastrous opening round and is in danger of missing the cut, so we don't see him suddenly outdueling Thomas after finishing 11 shots behind him Thursday. And while Tiger should be better, he shouldn't challenge Thomas.
US Open Round 2 Betting Card
- Tiger Woods over Justin Rose (-105)
- Mackenzie Hughes over Corey Conners (-110)
- Dustin Johnson over Bryson DeChambeau/ Tony Finau (+150)
- Justin Thomas over Collin Morikawa/Tiger Woods (+115)
Where Can I Bet on Golf?
With PGA betting growing in popularity, pretty much all online sportsbooks will offer golf odds for the U.S. Open. Check out our top listings page for the best sportsbooks available where you live and see what PGA Tour odds they have available.
