The third major championship of the season has arrived, and golf’s biggest stars are preparing for another brutal test at the 2026 U.S. Open. With difficult course conditions, punishing rough and major pressure expected to define the week, finding the right betting value is more important than ever. These U.S. Open picks break down the best outright bets on the board, from heavy favourite Scottie Scheffler to intriguing long shots capable of contending on golf’s toughest stage.
U.S. Open picks
Patrick Reed (+4000)
Reed to win the U.S. Open
Patrick Reed looks like one of the best value bets on the board at +4000 for this week’s U.S. Open because his game is perfectly suited to the brutal conditions typically seen in this championship. Reed has built his reputation on toughness, creativity around the greens and the ability to grind out pars when scoring becomes difficult — all traits that are essential at a demanding U.S. Open setup.
Historically, Reed has performed well in this event. He owns multiple top-15 finishes and produced one of the best major performances of his career at Shinnecock Hills in 2018, finishing solo fourth. That experience matters this week, especially with another difficult setup expected.
His recent major form is also encouraging. Despite playing a lighter schedule in 2026, Reed recorded top-12 and top-10 finishes in the first two majors of the season, showing he can still compete against elite fields on the biggest stages.
At +4000, bettors are getting a proven major champion (2018 Masters) with elite scrambling ability, strong U.S. Open history and the mental resilience needed to survive golf’s toughest test. In a tournament where experience and grit matter as much as raw talent, Reed offers excellent value at long-shot odds.
David Puig (+11000)
Puig to win the U.S. Open
David Puig stands out as one of the most intriguing long-shot bets at +11000 for this week’s U.S. Open because of his combination of talent, confidence and rapidly improving form. The 24-year-old Spaniard has quietly developed into one of the most talented young players outside the PGA Tour, producing strong performances on LIV Golf and in international events over the past year.
Puig’s biggest strength is his aggressive ball-striking, particularly off the tee, which can be a huge advantage at a demanding U.S. Open setup. He also arrives with growing major championship experience, including a respectable top-20 finish at the PGA Championship earlier this season.
What makes Puig especially appealing at triple-digit odds is his upside. Unlike many players priced in this range, he has already shown he can compete against elite fields and contend internationally.
At +11000, Puig represents the type of high-ceiling sleeper who can surprise in a volatile U.S. Open environment.
U.S. Open betting favourite
Scottie Scheffler heads into this week’s U.S. Open as the clear favourite, and it is easy to see why. The world No. 1 has established himself as the most consistent player in golf, combining elite ball-striking, exceptional course management and a remarkable ability to avoid costly mistakes. His recent form has been dominant, with multiple victories and a level of week-to-week consistency that separates him from the rest of the field. Betting markets have reflected that dominance, installing Scheffler as a heavy favourite and, in some cases, the shortest-priced U.S. Open favourite since the peak years of Tiger Woods.
The U.S. Open traditionally rewards players who excel tee-to-green and can remain patient on demanding setups. Those qualities are arguably Scheffler’s greatest strengths. His ability to hit fairways, control approach shots and limit big numbers makes him an ideal fit for a championship that often becomes a test of survival rather than pure scoring. Analysts have repeatedly highlighted how his ball-striking statistics and decision-making give him a significant edge on difficult courses.
Scheffler’s history in the U.S. Open also suggests a breakthrough victory may be close. He finished tied for second in 2022, just one shot behind champion Matt Fitzpatrick, and followed that with a third-place finish in 2023 at Los Angeles Country Club. He also recorded a top-10 finish in 2021 and has consistently contended in the championship.
While he has yet to lift the U.S. Open trophy to complete his career grand slam, Scheffler’s record of one runner-up finish, a third place and multiple top-10s demonstrates both comfort and consistency in golf’s toughest major. Given his current form and proven ability to handle difficult conditions, it is no surprise that he arrives this week as the man everyone else must beat.
Scheffler to win the U.S. Open
U.S. Open outright odds (top 15)
| Golfer | World Golf Ranking | Outright Odds |
| Scottie Scheffler | 1 | +600 |
| Rory McIlroy | 2 | +1100 |
| Jon Rahm | 8 | +1200 |
| Cameron Young | 3 | +1800 |
| Matt Fitzpatrick | 4 | +1800 |
| Tommy Fleetwood | 6 | +1800 |
| Xander Schauffele | 12 | +1800 |
| Ludvig Aberg | 13 | +2200 |
| Bryson DeChambeau | 32 | +2800 |
| Russell Henley | 5 | +3300 |
| Si Woo Kim | 18 | +3300 |
| Collin Morikawa | 10 | +3500 |
| Brooks Koepka | 109 | +3500 |
| Sam Burns | 30 | +3500 |
| Wyndham Clark | 34 | +3500 |
Top Canadians in the field
Corey Conners (+14000): Conners is coming off a very disappointing missed cut at the RBC Canadian Open and he hasn’t finished any hither than T30 in an event since March. His track record at the U.S. Open is abysmal, with five missed cuts in seven events and he was forced to withdraw last year due to a thumb injury.
Nick Taylor (+15000): Taylor is having a decent year, sitting 55th in the FedEx Cup rankings entering play this week. He’s coming off a disappointing T65 result at the RBC Canadian Open, but he has finished inside the top 15 in two of his last five events.
Sudarshan Yellamaraju (+17500): No Canadian is having a better season that Yellamaraju, who is coming off a very impressive T8 finish at the RBC Canadian Open. He now has three top-10 finishes in his first full season on Tour.
