The renowned Pinehurst No. 2 will host the 124th U.S. Open this week. Although Scottie Scheffler is the clear favorite, there is one name that could ruin the festivities: Brooks Koepka. If gamblers are prepared to look past Scheffler’s recent domination, Koepka offers substantial value at +2000 odds.
There is no denying Scheffler’s case. With a T2 result in 2022, he has a sneaky-good U.S. Open history and has won five of his previous eight tournaments, including the Masters. He’s a nightmare opponent for the rest of the field because of his well-rounded game, especially his recently developed putting ability.
But failing to see Koepka at Pinehurst No. 2 might be a mistake. His record in majors, especially the U.S. Opens, speaks loudly, even though his 2024 hasn’t yet resulted in a victory. Two of Koepka’s four major championships came from wins at the U.S. Open in 2017 and 2018. He excels in challenging courses and situations with unparalleled poise.
Koepka is familiar with Pinehurst No. 2. He demonstrated his comfort level with the course’s narrow fairways and harsh rough by finishing T25 there in the 2014 U.S. Open. Though he may be a step slower than in his prime, his length off the tee, which was a crucial component at Pinehurst, is still a weapon.
Koepka’s recent performance is cited by experts as a cause for caution. True, he hasn’t competed as much in 2024, but his performance hasn’t been horrible either. This year, he finished in the top twelve in the PGA Championship and made the cut in all four major tournaments. This consistency points to a potential breakthrough performance.
Any contender must be wary of Scheffler’s well-rounded game, but Koepka’s experience and mental toughness might be more useful at Pinehurst. When birdies are hard to come by, golfers who can manage the challenging conditions and grind out pars often win the U.S. Open. It’s precisely Koepka’s unwavering temperament and his capacity for self-control under duress that make him thrive in this kind of environment.
There’s more to this story than just his historical triumph. Koepka has caused controversy by joining the LIV Golf Tour. A win at the U.S. Open would send a strong message that he is still capable of competing at the greatest level, independent of tour affiliation. He might excel at Pinehurst even more as a result of this newfound drive.
Of course, Koepka has obstacles to overcome. On these punishing greens, his putting, which has been patchy at times this year, has to be more accurate. There will also be tough competition from younger players like Xander Schauffele, who has a well-rounded skill set and remarkable driving accuracy.
In the end, Brooks Koepka shouldn’t be discounted at the U.S. Open. His track record of major championships, his Pinehurst experience, and his possible “chip-on-the-shoulder” mentality make him a formidable opponent. At +2000 odds, Koepka is a compelling value option for those looking to pull off an upset at Pinehurst No. 2, even though Scheffler is rightfully the favourite.
