2024 U.S. Open Odds & Picks: Head-to-Head Matchups (Round 1)

The 2024 U.S. Open is only two days away from teeing off at Pinehurst No. 2. It’s the first time the U.S. Open has been held at Pinehurst, North Carolina since 2014, when Martin Kaymer torched the field with his putting, cruising to a 9-under-par final scorecard to win by eight strokes.

Pinehurst No. 2 is filled with rigors and challenges despite having minimal water hazards and unique rough. That’s right, the rough is mainly comprised of native plants, wire grass, and sandy fescue. It’s the opposite of the three to four-inch bermudagrass we tend to see on PGA Tour courses, but errant lies will be difficult to navigate. Bermudagrass greens have replaced the bentgrass greens from 2014 but they remain heavily contoured.

In this article, we’re recommending a couple head-to-head matchups to wager for Round 1. Follow me on X @Matt_MacKay_ for more free plays and PGA Tour best bets throughout the week.

2024 U.S. Open Odds & Picks

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.

3 Ball (Round 1) – Conners/Jaeger/Grillo

We’re striking twice in the 3-ball matchup betting market ahead of Thursday’s opening round from Pinehurst No. 2. Corey Conners is paired with Stephen Jaeger and Emiliano Grillo, who are no match for Conners’ ball-striking prowess. The Canadian ranks second in strokes gained: approaching the green, 15th in Round 1 scoring average, and third for greens in regulation percentage.

Yes, the putter is shaky, but staying clean off-the-tee is important, which Conners also specializes in doing with consistency. +125 is great value considering who he’s up against in this group on Thursday, so let’s stake a unit on the Canadian to start off strong by finishing Round 1 with a lower score than Jaeger and Grillo.

Pick: Corey Conners (+125)

3 Ball (Round 1) – Finau/Åberg/Johnson

Dustin Johnson, Ludvig Åberg and Tony Finau form a strong group for this 3-ball matchup in Round 1. Johnson has won at majors before, while Finau’s tee-to-green game is rock solid. This includes gaining strokes around the green, which is a big part of Finau’s game to offset his putter. However, we’re biting on Åberg as the favorite in this 3-ball at +125 odds.

Åberg hardly ever makes mistakes and he’s extremely long and straight off-the-tee. The 24-year-old Swede is ranked 18th strokes gained: off-the-tee and 15th strokes gained: approaching the green. He’s also 61st in strokes gained: putting, which is notably better than Finau and Johnson. It also helps that Åberg is third in total driving, including 24th in driving accuracy, fourth in hole proximity, and seventh scrambling. He’s simply too good to fade at this price.

Pick: Ludvig Åberg (+125)

Matthew MacKay is a featured writer for BettingPros and FantasyPros. For more from Matthew, check out his archive and follow him @Matt_MacKay_.