2024 U.S. Open Odds & Picks: Head-to-Head Matchups (Round 3)
We’re set up for a fantastic weekend at Pinehurst No. 2. The 2024 U.S. Open has challenged every golfer in the field in a myriad of ways, most notably with the heavily contoured turtleback greens, which have dispensed quality approach shots and putts into difficult lies.
Amidst the carnage, Ludvig Åberg sits in a solo first-place position on the leaderboard, with Bryson DeChambeau, Patrick Cantlay, and Thomas Detry on his heels. Rory McIlroy, Tony Finau, Hideki Matsuyama, and Xander Schauffele are also inside of the top ten, well within striking distance. Length and accuracy off-the-tee are crucial, with precise approach shots and top-tier scrambling ability also necessary to overcome the hazards at Pinehurst.
In this article, we’re recommending a couple of Round 3 head-to-head matchups that should be wagered. 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.
Tony Finau vs. Patrick Cantlay 18 Hole Matchbet (Round 3)
We’re going to start off by investing in Tony Finau to beat Patrick Cantlay in the 18 hole matchbet market for Round 3. Finau is T2 for fairways hit and greens in regulation, while Cantlay’s regression in Round 2 occurred due to finding only nine of 14 fairways.
Finau’s game is built for a course like Pinehurst No. 2, which rewards accuracy off-the-tee and on approach. Yes, his putter is a bit shaky, but at -120 odds, oddsmakers also appear to be more confident in Finau’s skillset than Cantlay, who wound up 1-over-par in Round 2. Meanwhile, Finau went 1-under-par on Friday and he has yet to not finish with a red number on his scorecard.
One unit is sufficient to bet on Finau scoring lower than Cantlay in Round 3 at -120 odds.
Pick: Tony Finau (-120)
Rory McIlroy vs. Xander Schauffele 18 Hole Matchbet (Round 3)
Staying in the 18 hole matchbet market, we’re now turning our attention to two more of the stars atop the leaderboard at Pinehurst No. 2. Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele are close to a pick’em in this matchbet prop for Round 3.
McIlroy holds an edge over Schauffele so far in fairways hit, finding 25/28, compared to 15/28 for Schauffele. In addition, McIlroy is also converting 75 percent of greens in regulation, good enough for T5 in this metric. Schauffele, meanwhile, is hitting at 58 percent, T32, so with the added advantage McIlroy has off-the-tee in terms of power and accuracy, while also dialing in his irons, we’re getting great value on him as a slight underdog in this matchbet at -110 odds.
One more unit staked on McIlroy to beat Schauffele’s Round 3 score is strongly recommended.
Pick: Rory McIlroy (-110)
Matthew MacKay is a featured writer for FantasyPros and BettingPros. For more from Matthew, check out his archive and follow him @Matt_MacKay_.