US Open predictions: Scheffler can assert his authority
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- This year’s US Open will be played at Oakmont Country Club, just outside Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania
- This is a 7,372-yard par-70 layout, which has just two par-fives, the fourth and 12th
- Recommended bets:
- Scottie Scheffler to win
- Sepp Straka to win and each-way
- Shane Lowry to finish in the top 10
The big golf tournaments are coming thick and fast and the game’s elite will assemble at Oakmont Country Club this week for the third Major of the year, the US Open.
It is no surprise to see world number one Scottie Scheffler at the head of the market following a dynamic set of recent results which included victory at the last big tournament, the US PGA Championship at Quail Hollow.
However, Bryson DeChambeau looks set to mount a strong defence of the trophy he won at Pinehurst 12 months ago, while Masters champion Rory McIlroy will hope to bounce back from a missed cut at last week’s Canadian Open.
Scheffler firmly in the groove
Oakmont last hosted the US Open in 2016 and is set to provide a tough test for the 156 players, who will be desperate to avoid the thick rough and get to grips with some of golf’s fastest greens.
Solid tee-to-green play is essential and there is simply no better player in the game in that regard than Scheffler.
The course should play to his strength as many players are set to struggle and his form has been almost perfect recently with victories at the CJ Cup, the US PGA Championship and the Memorial Tournament in his last four outings.
Straka poses a strong threat
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Defending champion DeChambeau has shown he can be a factor in Majors since his move to the LIV Tour, having finished second at the PGA Championship and fifth at the Masters, but one player worth keeping a close eye on this week is Austria’s Sepp Straka.
He has the ball-striking ability to find Oakmont to his liking and a strong challenge is anticipated as he looks to make the next step up.
Straka knows what it is like to be a winner this year after claiming PGA Tour titles at the American Express and the Truist Championship and he is the fourth-best tee-to-green player in the field this week according to the Tour statistics.
Hungry for further success, he can rise to the occasion.
Lowry can put together a decent show
Shane Lowry has been knocking on the door plenty of times on the PGA Tour this year and while his performances in recent Majors have been underwhelming, this could be a tournament where he comes to the fore.
The Irishman should not be as daunted as many by the rough at Oakmont this week and has only Scheffler ahead of him in the shots-gained-tee-to-green rankings on the PGA Tour in 2025.
His short game skills could also come to the fore and his competitiveness can shine through too, so do not be surprised if he bags a top-10 finish at a course he was tied-second at back in 2016.
