US Betting Tips: Can Dustin Johnson win the first golf major of the season?

Odds and preview ahead of the competition in New York

The US Open gets underway tomorrow and the world’s best golfers will go head-to-head as they look to claim the first major of the new season.

The tournament was due to take place in June but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last year saw outsider Gary Woodland go all the way to win his first major championship to date.

However, the American will face stiff competition this time around as a strong field look to get the season off to the perfect start.

And ahead of the action, we’ve outlined everything you need to know.

How does the tournament work?

This year’s US Open is set to be even more competitive than ever due to one change. As a result of COVID-19, the 2020 event is the first to take place without qualifying since 1924.

Traditionally, around half of the field will have been selected through local and sectional qualifying. However, this year the line-up will consist solely of golfers who are exempt from qualifying.

Examples of those exempt from qualifying include previous winners of majors and other big events, as well as 10 players from the Korn Ferry Tour. There will also be 13 guaranteed spots for amateur golfers.

Who are the favourites?

World number one Dustin Johnson is the pre-tournament market leader. The 36-year-old is looking to win the competition for the second time, having triumphed in Pennsylvania in 2016, and he can be backed at 15/2.

Johnson will face stiff competition from Jon Rahm, who trails slightly behind at 17/2. The Spaniard was ranked first in the world just last month and he’s looking to win his first major, having tied for third in last year’s US Open.

Two-time winner Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the tournament with a knee injury, while our traders have priced Justin Thomas at 11/1 to go all the way.

Elsewhere, Rory McIlroy is targeting his first win at the US Open since announcing himself on the world stage with an historic win in 2011. The Northern Irishman is going at 14/1, while he’s 7/2 to secure a top-five finish.

After making headlines with a surprise win in 2019, Woodland can be backed at 60/1 to repeat history. Meanwhile, Tiger Woods is 45/1 to win his fourth US Open.

View the latest golf odds.

All odds and markets correct as of date of publication