US Open Course Preview and Odds: Out With the New, In With the Old
US Open Course Preview and Odds: Out With the New, In With the Old
THE COURSE
THE COUNTRY CLUB (OPEN COURSE)
- Length: 7,204 yards
- Par: 70
- Greens: Poa Annua & Bentgrass
- Designer: Gil Hanse
- Course Record: 66 (Scott Simpson - 2nd round - 1988)
DESIGNER LINKS WITH FORM CORRELATION
The Country Club course is seldom played on the PGA Tour circuit. Players last competed at Brookline, Massachusetts in 1988. It's one of the five original founding clubs of the USGA and has quite an impressive history. Most notably, the 1913 U.S. Open, where American Francis Ouimet defeated English players Harry Vardon and Ted Ray in a full-round playoff. Let's look at similar layouts designed by Gil Hanse that can be found throughout the PGA Tour.
TPC BOSTON (DELL TECHNOLOGIES CHAMPIONSHIP)
There are several players who have finished 1st or 2nd at TPC Boston events, which were held from 2003 thru 2018. Here are some of the most prominent players to win or finish runner-up at a similar-designed course by Gil Hanse:
- Bryson DeChambeau
- Justin Thomas
- Jordan Spieth
- Rory McIlroy
- Rickie Fowler
- Billy Horschel
- Russell Henley
It's important to glean as much information from Gil Hanse courses outside of The Country Club at Brookline because it's such a rarity to play. The U.S. Open will implement a lot of minimalist features under the vision of Hanse, including the restoration of several holes that run short but challenge with small square footage greens. Players like Rory McIlroy, Matt Fitzpatrick, and Will Zalatoris stand out due to their elite irons, which have been actively rewarding them with high percentage greens in regulation all season.
WINGED FOOT GOLF CLUB (EAST)
- U.S. Open held at Winged Foot Golf Club (East) in 2020.
- Bryson Dechambeau won with a decisive six-stroke victory over Matthew Wolff.
- A six-under-par final score allowed DeChambeau to climb the leaderboard, especially with a three-under final round.
- No other player was able to stay under par in the final round other than DeChambeau.
- Narrow, tight fairways and several par 3s that feature elevated greens in tough locations.
- Gil Hanse performed a restoration in 2014 that is discussed as the best work of his career due to the durability of the fairways and greens.
Looking for the best sportsbook offers available in your state? Click here
COURSE FORM (PAST 10 YEARS)
Below is the Top-10 for adjusted scoring average over the past 10 years at this event:
- Jon Rahm (67.230)
- Gary Woodland (66.531)
- Dustin Johnson (68.602)
- Brooks Koepka (66.862)
- Dustin Johnson (65.669)
- Jordan Spieth (66.102)
- Martin Kaymer (64.663)
- Justin Rose (65.792)
- Webb Simpson (66.781)
US Open KEY STATS
Greens in Regulation (GIR) Percentage - Being able to convert greens in regulation is essential on all PGA courses. It becomes imperative at The Country Club, as most of the par 4 and par 5 holes stretch over 500 or 600 yards. The lengthy, narrow fairways and small greens will either reward or expose players' iron accuracy.
Here are the last five winners of The U.S. Open ranked in GIR percentage the week they won:
- 2021 - Jon Rahm - 2nd
- 2020 - Bryson DeChambeau - 63rd
- 2019 - Gary Woodland - 28th
- 2018 - Brooks Koepka - 54th
- 2017 - Brooks Koepka - 148th
SG Tee-to-Green - Gil Hanse courses demand strong, accurate tee shots on par 3 holes. While the distance is certainly manageable, the touch and finesse of the tee shot must be ironclad in its accuracy. Here are the rankings for the last five winners in SG-Tee-to-Green.
- 2021 - Jon Rahm - 1st
- 2020 - Bryson DeChambeau - 19th
- 2019 - Gary Woodland - 16th
- 2018 - Brooks Koepka - 19th
- 2017 - Brooks Koepka - 42nd
Poa Annua & Bentgrass Green Putting - Bentgrass greens are common throughout the PGA Tour circuit but Poa Annua is less prevalent. Poa Annua is a meadow grass or annual bluegrass that accelerates downhill and is best conquered with slow, precise strokes. Conversely, Bentgrass greens do not grow well in hot conditions, which is why it's prominent at The Country Club. Bentgrass is not as deceptive as other putting surfaces, meaning players won't have to overplay or underplay a stroke at a certain angle or speed.
US OPEN WINNER ODDS
| Golfer | Odds |
|---|---|
| Rory McIlroy | +1100 |
| Justin Thomas | +1200 |
| Scottie Scheffler | +1400 |
| Jon Rahm | +1600 |
| Cameron Smith | +2200 |
| Xander Schauffele | +2200 |
| Patrick Cantlay | +2500 |
| Jordan Spieth | +2800 |
| Collin Morikawa | +3000 |
| Matthew Fitzpatrick | +3000 |
Matt is an avid writer, editor, and researcher. He enjoys analyzing the game within the game which is fantasy sports and sports betting. Music is another constant in his daily life. Matt loves spending time with his wife and three pets. He likes to read, listen to podcasts, and is constantly motivated to create the most accurate and engaging content in the sports betting industry.