2024 U.S. Open Odds & Picks: Head-to-Head Matchups (Round 2)
The 2024 U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2 challenged the majority of golfers in the field during Round 1. Only a few were able to keep mistakes to a minimum, most notably, Patrick Cantlay and Rory McIlroy, who are co-leaders heading into Friday at 5-under-par.
McIlroy went bogey-free, showcasing his brawn off-the-tee, while nailing approach shots and draining birdie putts to gain momentum entering Round 2. Scottie Scheffler, the overwhelming betting favorite entering this major, finished 1-over-par, recording only two birdies on Thursday. Ludvig Åberg and Bryson DeChambeau also sit in contention at 3-under-par.
In this article, we’re targeting a couple of head-to-head matchups to bet on during Round 2 of the 2024 U.S. Open. 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.
Adam Scott vs. Billy Horschel vs. Chris Kirk 3-Ball Matchup (Round 2)
Adam Scott’s pairing against Billy Horschel and Chris Kirk in Round 2 gives the veteran Aussie a chance to win for the second consecutive day at Pinehurst. Scott wound up even par in Round 1, converting four birdies, while ranking 32nd strokes gained: approach and 33rd for number of total putts.
As long as his flat stick and irons continue to operate with efficiency, Scott should be able to outplay Horschel and Kirk on Friday. Both of them struggled mightily with their approach game on Thursday, which is quite often the difference-maker on the heavily contoured Bermudagrass greens and sandy wire grass rough. Horschel may be the favorite to win this 3-ball at +150 odds, but don’t be fooled, Scott is a better fit for this course.
A one-unit wager on Scott to continue playing clean on approach is warranted in his 3-ball matchup against Horschel and Kirk in Round 2.
Pick: Adam Scott (+170)
Cameron Smith vs. Sam Burns vs. Lucas Glover 3-Ball Matchup (Round 2)
We’re going to another Aussie, this time, favored to win his 3-ball matchup, and investing one unit on Cameron Smith to beat Sam Burns and Lucas Glover in Round 2.
None of these golfers had a strong showing in Round 1, but Smith was definitely the best, ranking 22nd SG: approach and 12th SG: putting. Burns and Glover are both marginally worse putters than Smith, who ranks first in birdie average at LIV this season. Off-the-tee, Smith needs to improve to contend, finding nine of 14 fairways in Round 1, but he’s a crafty player who can recover from bad lies.
All three of these players need to have a strong outing in Round 2 to make the cut at Pinehurst, so don’t think Smith will play conservatively compared to Burns and Glover. He’s figuring out the course and finished Round 1 with a birdie for momentum entering Friday. Let’s back Smith, who recorded a T4 finish at the 2023 U.S. Open, to come out strong on Friday and win this second round 3-ball matchup.
Pick: Cameron Smith (+125)
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