U.S. Open First-Round Leader Picks 2024: Back This 110-1 Long Shot
The third major tournament of 2024 will start early Thursday morning, giving bettors the opportunity to cash in on their tickets in the evening with our U.S. Open first-round leader picks, which are based on the odds from our top golf betting sites.
The third major tournament of 2024 will begin Thursday morning at Pinehurst No. 2 in Moore County, N.C., following Xander Schauffele’s recent wire-to-wire victory at Valhalla Golf Club for his first career major win.
Although Schauffele is a betting favorite for the U.S. Open, World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is leading the tournament oddsboard and is the focus of our expert picks for the U.S. Open.
However, there is greater potential for value in betting on Schauffele, Scheffler, and other players in the field in the more accessible first-round leader market. We are seeking an early payout by selecting our first-round leader picks with the most favorable odds for Thursday’s opening round at Pinehurst.
U.S. Open first-round leader picks
- Cameron Smith (+4500 via Caesars)
- Matt Fitzpatrick (+5000 via DraftKings)
- Victor Perez (+11000 via bet365)
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U.S. Open first-round leader odds
| Name | DraftKings | FanDuel | BetMGM | Caesars | bet365 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scottie Scheffler | +1200 | +900 ❄️ | +1000 | +1000 | +1100 |
| Xander Schauffele | +2200 | +1800 | +2200 | +1800 | +2200 |
| Rory McIlroy | +2200 | +1600 ❄️ | +2200 | +2000 | +2200 |
| Collin Morikawa | +2800 | +2200 | +2500 | +1600 ❄️ | +2500 |
| Viktor Hovland | +3000 | +2200 ❄️ | +2800 | +2500 | +2500 |
| Bryson DeChambeau | +3000 | +2200 ❄️ | +2800 | +2500 | +3000 |
| Brooks Koepka | +3000 | +2900 | +3300 | +2800 ❄️ | +3300 |
| Ludvig Aberg | +3500 | +2900 ❄️ | +3000 | +3500 | +3300 |
| Justin Thomas | +4500 | +4100 ❄️ | +4500 | +4500 | +4500 |
| Hideki Matsuyama | +4500 | +5000 | +5000 | +4500 | +4500 |
Please be aware that the first-round leader market will be settled once all players have finished their first 18 holes. In the event of a weather or darkness delay, this may occur on Friday morning.
Who’ll lead after Round 1 in the U.S. Open?
Cameron Smith
The ex-Champion Golfer of the Year has always been among the top putters in golf, and that will be the crucial statistic to watch at Pinehurst No. 2 throughout the week.
Despite his disappointing T-48 finish in LIV Golf’s Houston event last week, the Australian has achieved two runner-up finishes on that circuit this year, one of which was a playoff loss. Additionally, he tied for sixth in the Masters and began the PGA Championship with a solid first-round 68, ultimately finishing T-63.
The forecast for Pinehurst, N.C. on Thursday shows mostly clear skies with a slight chance of rain. Winds will be light, ranging from 4-6 mph during the day. Temperatures will climb to a high of 84 degrees in the late afternoon.
We are supporting Smith for his 7:18 a.m. ET tee time because we anticipate the course will be at its softest and easiest during that time before the greens become firmer in the afternoon.
The highest odds are +4500 at Caesars.
Terms and conditions apply.
Matt Fitzpatrick
Fitzpatrick’s 7:29 a.m. ET tee time, paired with Will Zalatoris and Tiger Woods, could work in his favor. The English golfer, recognized for his meticulous note-taking on the course, finished tied for 48th in the 2014 U.S. Open at Pinehurst as an amateur. His past experiences may give him an edge over other players.
The winner of the 2022 U.S. Open had a strong performance in the Memorial Tournament, finishing tied for fifth. He had a standout performance in Round 4 with his putter, gaining 3.97 strokes per round over the field. This boosted his weekly average to 1.33 strokes gained.
Fitzpatrick ranks 14th on the PGA Tour this season in birdie-or-better percentage from distances of 200-plus yards, a key stat that will be crucial for him as the course is expected to play slightly softer and longer on Thursday morning.
Top odds: +5000 on DraftKings
Terms and conditions apply.
Victor Perez
Out of the three golfers we have selected, Perez is the only one playing in the afternoon wave on Thursday. He will start his round at 12:52 p.m. ET, and despite the slightly more challenging conditions, we believe his game will not be affected negatively.
Perez has dropped to No. 78 in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) after finishing third in the Canadian Open and tying for 12th in the Memorial against tougher competition. He has never made the cut in the U.S. Open and missed the cut in the PGA Championship last month after finishing tied for 12th the previous year. However, we are not worried because we only need him to make the weekend to win our 110-1 ticket on Thursday.
Last week at Muirfield Village Golf Club, the French golfer displayed exceptional skills with his irons and currently leads the PGA Tour in avoiding 3-putts this season. This crucial statistic should give him an advantage as he faces the toughest part of Pinehurst this week.
Top odds: +11000 on bet365
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How to bet on the first-round leader market
Participating in the first-round leader market in golf can enhance the thrill of tournaments as you place bets on the golfer expected to have the best score at the end of the opening round. Begin by investigating players recognized for their impressive starts, taking into account their current form, past performances at the course, and the weather forecast. Familiarize yourself with the market by analyzing the odds of individual players or larger groups based on criteria such as world rankings or tee times.
Just like any other wager, it is important to handle risks and rewards with caution when betting on golf. Despite the enticing potential winnings, keep in mind that golf is full of surprises and anything can happen during a round. By thoroughly evaluating player performances and course conditions, you can make better choices when placing bets on the first-round leader market and improve your golf betting experience.
In this market, the tournament favorites typically have higher odds compared to the outright win, while players with longer odds in the outright betting market will have shorter odds.
U.S. Open betting picks
- U.S. Open picks and predictions
- U.S. Open expert picks
- U.S. Open long-shot picks
- U.S. Open power rankings
- U.S. Open props picks
- U.S. Open odds
How to bet on golf
If you want to bet on the U.S. Open golf tournament, it’s important to have a good grasp of the specific obstacles posed by the course and weather conditions, particularly when the event takes place at Pinehurst No. 2. To assist you in getting started, here is a helpful guide.
Start by getting to know the various types of bets you can place. One popular choice is an outright winner bet, where you select the golfer you believe will come out on top in the tournament. For instance, you may encounter odds of +300 for a top contender like Scottie Scheffler, indicating that a $10 wager could earn you a $30 profit if he emerges victorious.
Another popular type of bet is head-to-head matchups, where you choose which of two golfers will have the better score in the tournament. For instance, you could wager on Xander Schauffele at -120 to outperform Rory McIlroy at +100, which means you would risk $12 to potentially win $10 if Schauffele scores better. Prop bets, on the other hand, center around specific occurrences during the tournament, like predicting if there will be a hole-in-one or how a specific golfer will perform on a particular hole.
Pinehurst No. 2 is renowned for its demanding greens and punishing roughs, which can greatly affect a player’s game. When placing bets on the U.S. Open at Pinehurst, focus on golfers with strong accuracy and putting skills. Also, take into account their recent form and previous performances on comparable courses.
Before betting on any players, make sure to thoroughly research their recent tournament performances, course history, and any injuries or changes in form. Consider how each golfer has fared at courses with difficult greens, as this may indicate their success at Pinehurst No. 2. Additionally, take into account the weather conditions, as they can have a significant impact on gameplay.
Here are our best golf betting sites:
- Caesars Promo Code: SBRBONUS1000 | Read our Caesars Review
- BetMGM Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our BetMGM Review
- bet365 Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our Bet365 Review
- BetRivers Promo Code: SBRBONUS | Read our BetRivers Review
- FanDuel Promo Code | Read our FanDuel Review
- DraftKings Promo Code | Read our DraftKings Review
You must be 21 or older to participate in gambling activities. If you have a gambling problem, please call 1-800-GAMBLER. Unfortunately, bonuses are not available in Ontario.
Related pages
- Best Sports Betting Sites | Best Underscoreg Promos (U.S. only)
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