Rory McIlroy is the betting favorite to win the 2014 U.S. Open. Three weeks ago, Rory won the European Tour’s BMW PGA Championship, which has the golf world speculating his game is close to the tremendous form he showed in 2012. However, even if Rory plays well, there are several players who have a good chance to win the national championship.
World no. 1 Adam Scott won the PGA Tour’s Crowne Plaza Invitational the same day Rory won on the European Tour. Scott is right behind Rory in the betting odds, but one can argue his game is better suited to Pinehurst No. 2 because he is a superior driver of the golf ball (third in total driving to Rory’s 47th). The native areas may cause trouble for players who are loose off the tee.
As you look down the list, the players who have poor odds but have won this year include: John Senden (100/1), Brendon Todd (100/1), Matt Jones (125/1), Russell Henley (150/1), and Seung-Yul Noh (150/1). These players are your dark horses, and deserve a second look because they have shown they know how to handle their nerves on a Sunday.
–Bernie D’Amato (@bdamato711)
Betting odds are courtesy of Bovada.lv:
| Rory McIlroy | 10/1 |
| Adam Scott | 12/1 |
| Phil Mickelson | 14/1 |
| Bubba Watson | 18/1 |
| Henrik Stenson | 25/1 |
| Jordan Spieth | 25/1 |
| Justin Rose | 25/1 |
| Matt Kuchar | 25/1 |
| Jason Day | 28/1 |
| Dustin Johnson | 33/1 |
| Lee Westwood | 33/1 |
| Luke Donald | 33/1 |
| Sergio Garcia | 33/1 |
| Graeme McDowell | 40/1 |
| Hideki Matsuyama | 40/1 |
| Jason Dufner | 40/1 |
| Jim Furyk | 40/1 |
| Martin Kaymer | 40/1 |
| Charl Schwartzel | 50/1 |
| Hunter Mahan | 50/1 |
| Jimmy Walker | 50/1 |
| Steve Stricker | 50/1 |
| Webb Simpson | 50/1 |
| Zach Johnson | 50/1 |
| Brandt Snedeker | 66/1 |
| Ian Poulter | 66/1 |
| Keegan Bradley | 66/1 |
| Louis Oosthuizen | 66/1 |
| Rickie Fowler | 66/1 |
| Bill Haas | 80/1 |
| Billy Horschel | 80/1 |
| Gary Woodland | 80/1 |
| Harris English | 80/1 |
| Jonas Blixt | 80/1 |
| Victor Dubuisson | 80/1 |
| Brendon Todd | 100/1 |
| Ernie Els | 100/1 |
| Francesco Molinari | 100/1 |
| Graham Delaet | 100/1 |
| John Senden | 100/1 |
| Kevin Na | 100/1 |
| Patrick Reed | 100/1 |
| Paul Casey | 100/1 |
| Retief Goosen | 100/1 |
| Ryan Moore | 100/1 |
| Angel Cabrera | 125/1 |
| J.B. Holmes | 125/1 |
| Jamie Donaldson | 125/1 |
| Joost Luiten | 125/1 |
| Matt Every | 125/1 |
| Matt Jones | 125/1 |
| Miguel Angel Jimenez | 125/1 |
| Shane Lowry | 125/1 |
| Bo Van Pelt | 150/1 |
| Brendon De Jonge | 150/1 |
| Chris Kirk | 150/1 |
| David Toms | 150/1 |
| Geoff Ogilvy | 150/1 |
| Kevin Stadler | 150/1 |
| Nick Watney | 150/1 |
| Russell Henley | 150/1 |
| Ryan Palmer | 150/1 |
| Seung-yul Noh | 150/1 |
| Stephen Gallacher | 150/1 |
| Aaron Baddeley | 200/1 |
| Boo Weekley | 200/1 |
| Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano | 200/1 |
| Kevin Streelman | 200/1 |
| Luke Guthrie | 200/1 |
| Nicolas Colsaerts | 200/1 |
| Stewart Cink | 200/1 |
| Thongchai Jaidee | 200/1 |
| Brian Stuard | 250/1 |
| Brooks Koepka | 250/1 |
| Erik Compton | 250/1 |
| Justin Leonard | 250/1 |
| Kevin Kisner | 250/1 |
