US Open – big price winner
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There’s value in opposing the favourite
One of the major inserts in the sporting calendar, as the 2017 renewal of the world-famous US Open takes place at Erin Hills, Wisconsin from Thursday evening. Four days of gripping golf lies ahead, and Sky Sports bring every hole live.
Dustin Johnson arrives as defending champion, and it really goes as no surprise to see him start at the head of the betting this year, Coral traders offering 7/1 about two in-a-row. The 32-year-old American carded a winning score of four under-par last year to bank the winner’s cheque, and prepares with confidence onside again this time, but there’s plenty of value on offer to those looking to take him on.
Scott’s price bigger than expected
That’s exactly what we’re going to do, and start with the first of two players that are sure to give us a serious run for our money at better odds. Australian Adam Scott has featured heavily in all four majors in the past, including winning the Masters back in 2013. Fourth remains his best effort to date in this sphere, at Chambers Bay in 2015.
The 36-year-old has finished in the top-10 in two of the last three years, and no higher than 18th in any of those efforts. Taking this one to follow the trends, Scott can be backed for another top-10 berth at 2/1, while more reserved backers can have top-20 in their weekend multiples at 11/10.
The selection didn’t offer too much to get excited about last time out, but his recent form has been solid, if not spectacular, and I believe he has been overlooked too easily by the traders. An outright price of 25/1 is bigger than I expected to see, and for that reason we will have an interest play.
Time looks right for Rors
British hopeful Rory McIlroy hasn’t had an awful lot to smile about so far in 2017, with injury interrupting his play, and the Northern Irishman has struggled to fully recover from a damaged rib suffered at the South African Open, when well placed. It seems to be a case of one step forward, one back for McIlroy at the moment, and he’s not been nearly as active as he would’ve liked going into this one.
There’s no danger of the 28-year-old from County Down arriving rusty however, as we’re sure he would’ve been sharping his skills on the practice courses, away from the bright lights, crowds and media attention. More importantly, free from the pressures of a comeback. It’s unlikely the fans’ favourite would risk his health or reputation by lining up at Erin Hills is he wasn’t 100 per cent confident of making his mark.
The challenges of this course should play to his strengths, and regular followers of Rors will be delighted to see him doing the rounds as a 12/1 second favourite. Won the US Open back in 2011 at the Congressional Country Club, and has every chance of having a say here. Coral, already known for providing golf value, have extended their each-way terms to 1/5 the odds the best eight players home.
