It’s major number three of the year on the golfing calendar with just The Open Championship to go, but not before The US Open at Torrey Pines, La Jolla, San Diego, California.
With another major upon us it’s going to be yet another amazing week of golf for all sporting enthusiasts around the globe.
Bryson De Chambeau returns to defend his US Open title when conquering Winged Foot last year but this is Torrey Pines. Can Bryson power on again in style and successfully defend his title?
It’s a long testing track at Torrey Pines South with narrow fairways to aim at and tricky pins to target so tee to green figures will need to be spot on to have any chance around here.
As one would expect it’s a star studded line up with all the world's top ranked players in attendance, with the exception of three time previous US Open champion Tiger Woods who remains injured after a car accident.
The 156 field will be playing for the US Open title and $12.5M prize money with the winner collecting a cool $2.25M.
Torrey Pines South is a par 72 parkland course but will be playing as a par 71 for this event. This stunning course on the Pacific coast will test the accuracy for all involved especially if the breezes blow in from the Pacific Ocean.
The weather forecast predicts that breezes should stay relatively calm with sunny warm conditions throughout but possibly Sunday's final round could see breezes at around 15mph just to make things more tricky and interesting.
I’m glad to report that spectators will be in attendance at Torrey Pines with an allocation of 10,000 per day to bring with them a welcomed electric atmosphere.
The event will be screened on SkySports Golf with live coverage starting at 3.30pm GMT on Thursday afternoon.
So let’s get on with this weeks US Open selections and try narrow this field down.
It’s going to be tricky but just this year alone we have predicted the winners at some amazing prices; Stewart Cink 150/1, Rory McIlroy 20/1, Garrick Higgo 16/1, Dustin Johnson 6/1, Antoine Rozner 28/1 and so many decent each way selections to mention including 80/1 EW, 100/1 EW and 55/1 EW.
It’s fair to say we have done really well this year on MFT if you’ve followed my selections and Naps so let’s try continue the good run of form.
Viktor Hovland
For my main selection this week at Torrey Pines I’m going to single out Viktor Hovland 25/1 EW Bet365.
The young, talented 23 yrs old from Oslo, Norway is currently ranked 13th in the world and has a habit of being on leaderboards almost everywhere with six Top 5 finishes since winning the Mayakoba Golf Classic less than six months ago.
He was 3rd at the DP World Tour Championship, T2nd at the Farmers Insurance, T5th Genesis Invitational, T2nd WGC Workday Championship at The Concession, T3rd Valspar Championship and finally T3rd at the Wells Fargo Championship.
The young Norwegian also finished a very respectable 12th at The US Open in 2019. He is simply a model of consistency and really enjoys playing his golf on the Pacific Coast.
Hovland finished runner up at this course when it hosted the Farmers Insurance while carding a second round 65, 7 under par on its usual par 72 lay out.
You’ll be lucky to see any round this week with a 65 scorecard so it just shows what this kid is capable of.
So the talented Viktor Hovland is my danger man this week at Torrey Pines and as per usual, I’d expect him on the leaderboard contending from start to finish on his way to bagging what would be a well deserved maiden major title.
Partick Cantlay
For my next selection I’m liking the look of Partick Cantlay 25/1 EW Bet365.
The winner at the recent Memorial Tournament comes here in superb form. Cantlay has made the cut in all five attempts at the US Open and is ranked in the World's Top 10 players, currently number 7.
Although the 29yrs old American has yet to claim a major, this could well be the week for Cantlay to settle that score. Another who enjoys good results playing in the Golden State, Cantlay has recorded a win, runners up position and a 3rd place in his last four events played in California.
Winner at the Zozo Championship, 2nd American Express, and 3rd AT&T Pebble Beach.
The American's best finish at a major was T3rd at the 2019 PGA Championship and he was also at the top of leaderboard at The Masters with only a few holes remaining so he knows what it takes to be contending at a major.
With his recent win at the Memorial Tournament, I just feel Cantlay will come to Torrey Pines full of confidence and continue from where he left of at Muirfield Village. With most firms offering 1-10 place money it’s represents decent each way value and I’m also going to advise Cantlay for a Top 20 finish and make it my Nap of the tournament 11/10 Bet365.
Collin Morikawa
For my next pick I’m going to suggest Collin Morikawa 16/1 EW Betfair.
Morikawa is a specialist on Bentgrass and Poa Annua greens. This talented kid, only 24 yrs old, won the 2020 PGA Championship at TPC Harding Park last year so knows what it takes to win a major.
The world number four is another who brings some stunning form to Torrey Pines. In the American's last thirteen events he has finished in the Top 20 on no less than nine occasions with one of those a victory at the WGC Workday Championship at The Concession.
At both majors this year Morikawa has been in the mix; T8th at The PGA Championship and T18th at The Masters in April.
Morikawa leads the PGA Tour in both greens in regulation and strokes gained approach play and it’s these stats and figures that just may win him the US Open title.
Some of his iron play is a treat to watch at times and if he can hit these small target pins with precision then I can only see him challenging once again on the back nine at Sunday’s final round to bag his second major.
Patrick Reed v Shane Lowry
For my final pick it’s the 72 hole matchbet and I’m going for Patrick Reed with some of the best stats from 2021 ,to get the better of Shane Lowry 10/11 Betfair.
What a weekend in store, US Open, Royal Ascot & the Euros.
Can’t argue with Cantlay, played some lovely golf in the Memorial. I’ll be on him, Patrick Reed & Tyrrell Hatton.
Good luck Caddy.
And good luck to you Cobretti ⛳️🏌️♀️
Reed or Rahm for me.
🤞
Jordan Spieth has got a sore foot,walking around 18 holes will be hard going.
Jordan Spieth TO MISS THE CUT 11/4 @ WH
LOST..Sneaked in with the skin of his teeth.