The 125th US Open gets started at Oakmont Country Club on Thursday and all 156 players in the field will be hoping to make a fast start in the opening round.
The 125th US Open gets underway at Oakmont Country Club on Thursday and all 156 players in the field will be hoping to make a fast start in the opening round.
With the groups announced for the first two days of action in Pennsylvania, we have examined the US Open odds and picked out three candidates who look capable of setting the early pace.
First round leader tips
DeChambeau to make hot start
Defending champion Bryson DeChambeau will be in one of the first groups out on the course on Thursday and he can put some early pressure on those teeing off behind him by setting the lead on day one.
The 31-year-old American has been leading or tied for the lead after the opening 18 holes in three of his last four tournaments, while he also shared fifth after day one of the Masters in April.
With DeChambeau’s last six results reading 5-5-2-1-2-4, he is clearly a man in form and his supreme driving should give him an advantage over the vast majority of the field.
Tip 1: Bryson DeChambeau each-way @ 16/1
Lowry to set solid platform
With two runners-up finishes this season, Irishman Shane Lowry has been on the cusp of winning and he can give himself a good platform to build from by topping the standings on day one.
The 38-year-old has been superb from tee to green on the PGA Tour this year and that should help him contend at a course he was tied-second at back in 2016.
Lowry has been seventh or better in three of his last four appearances after the opening 18 holes and it would be no surprise to see him in contention from the off.
It’s also worth noting that Lowry will be playing alongside good friends Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose over the first two rounds and the expected jovial atmosphere between the trio can help them put in some good scores.
Tip 2: Shane Lowry each-way @ 40/1
Henley to reach the summit early
Russell Henley landed his fifth PGA Tour at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March and the next step for him would be to win a maiden Major, something he has looked closer to doing over the past 12 months.
The 36-year-old American recorded his best US Open finish at last year’s event, finishing tied-seventh, while he arrives in Pennsylvania in a confident mood following a fifth-placed effort at The Memorial.
Henley held the lead after the opening round at Pebble Beach earlier this season, carding a superb 64, while he was also tied-second after day one of the Cognizant Classic and the RBC Heritage.
The Heritage was a Signature Event, where the cream of the crop compete for increased prize money and FedEx Cup points, so he clearly has no problems mixing it with the world’s leading players.
Tip 3: Russell Henley each-way @ 50/1
