Can Phil Mickelson parlay nostalgic magic? Will Jon Rahm resume his torrid pace?
With the $12.5 million PGA major tournament running Thursday-Sunday at Torrey Pines in San Diego, what’s in store for Mountain State online bettors with the 2021 US Open?
Just about everything.
The DraftKings Sportsbook West Virginia betting board and handle already reveal two different stories reflecting different gambling sentiments.
Rahm is the favorite at +1050. Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson are next at +1500.
Brooks Koepka comes in at +1900, along with Jordan Spieth.
But bettors have another method of “show me the money.”
Mickelson, the charismatic San Diego native, has received an abundance of tickets on the heels of winning the last major (the PGA Championship) last month.
At 50, “Lefty” became the oldest golfer to win a major championship and has an avalanche of support here. Mickelson turned 51 this week.
At DraftKings, Mickelson earned 9% of the revenue by midweek, second only to Koepka, 10%. Rahm and Johnson are next at 7%.
Johnny Avello, the director of race and sportsbook operations for DraftKings, told PlayWV that the depth of the field ensured an unusual spread of betting money. Normally, the leader may obtain 15%-18% of the handle, but this field is loaded with angles. That includes Mickelson’s betting popularity despite his whopping odds (+7000 or 70-1) at DraftKings.
“Normally, you like to take a look at who has been hot recently and who has done well on the course,” Avello said, “but it is not always going to hold up. One week, a guy is on fire and wins the whole tournament, and the next week, he doesn’t make the cut.”
To his point, Mickelson missed the cut one week after his historic PGA championship. That was only a five-day swing but a totally different reality.
“That’s one reason the bettors can find value way down on the board,” Avello added. “I always think it’s wise to look at guys who are +2000 or more. They are capable of doing well, and they will pay well too.”
Rahm sets pace at William Hill WV
Rahm is the +1000 favorite at William Hill Sportsbook WV, with Koepka, Johnson and DeChambeau next at +1800. He last played at the Memorial Tournament on June 5 before withdrawing due to testing positive for COVID-19. Rahm had built a six-stroke lead before his exit and has been cleared for the US Open following two negative COVID-19 tests.
Nick Bogdanovich, director of trading for William Hill, US, said Mickelson has gotten the most tickets of any player and will represent a seven-figure liability for the book.
Mickelson’s win-line odds are astronomical, but here’s a pragmatic consideration.
At BetMGM WV Sportsbook, Mickelson is +100 to finish in the top 40. Not a bad price for a reasonable possibility.
2021 US Open betting options
Look for an abundance of opportunities.
Leaderboards will be adjusted after each round. Head-to-head matchups are available, along with a golfer’s potential score on the ensuing hole. Most holes end up in pars.
The best birdie chances reside in holes nine, 13 and 18, all long par 5’s. The final hole will be interesting on the final day, as some players will have to become more aggressive in search of a birdie. The pressure may end up causing a bogey.
The 12th is a legitimate bogey-hole chance. It’s a 500-yard par 4, often into the wind.
How to watch:
- Thursday, June 17: 12:30-7 p.m. EST (Golf Channel); 7-10 p.m. EST (NBC)
- Friday, June 18: 12:30-6 p.m. EST (Golf Channel); 6-9 p.m. EST (NBC)
- Saturday, June 19: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. EST (NBC)
- Sunday, June 20: 10 a.m.-12 p.m. EST (Golf Channel); 12-8 p.m. EST (NBC)
