Golf Preview
PGA Tour
Date: Thu, 15 Jun 2023 – Sun, 18 Jun 2023
The 123rd U.S. Open Championship, the prestigious national open golf championship of the United States, will be held at the North Course of Los Angeles Country Club in Los Angeles, California. This 72-hole stroke play tournament is scheduled to take place from June 15th to 18th. The course, redesigned by Gil Hanse in 2010, offers a challenging par 70 layout and spans an impressive 7,423 yards.
Upon reviewing a hole-by-hole course flyover, various course breakdowns, and an interview with Gil Hanse, we have gained insights into the challenges players will face. The course promises to provide captivating viewing, with its remarkable Gil Hanse redesign showcasing intricate details that will be on full display. While the fairways are wide, the rough, although not excessively long, will still penalize those who consistently miss the fairways. Expect firm and fast playing conditions, which could give an advantage to long and accurate drivers. The undulating fairways and greens, as emphasized by Hanse and others, highlight the importance of positioning oneself correctly to achieve optimal angles into the greens.
With the greens playing firm, players may encounter difficulties holding them with long irons. This factor further enhances the potential advantage for longer hitters. Additionally, the course favors shot-makers who can execute a variety of shot shapes. Those who can confidently work the ball in different directions are likely to thrive.
Now let’s delve into the key statistics that will be crucial this week. While we will prioritize longer hitters, accuracy cannot be entirely disregarded since hitting fairways remains important. Therefore, we will focus on Strokes Gained: Off The Tee, with an emphasis on Distance and Good Drives Gained. Approach play will naturally be significant, and we will identify specific ranges based on the golfers we are targeting. Proximity from 150-175 yards, a range frequently encountered by longer hitters, and 75-100 yards, crucial for scoring on short par 4s and par 5s, will be key factors.
Considering the presence of three challenging par 3s measuring anywhere from 228 to potentially 310 yards, Par 3 Scoring from 225+ yards is a statistic worth considering. The exceptional bunkering on the course also necessitates evaluating Sand Saves, as players may face challenging shots from the sand. In a U.S. Open, avoiding significant mistakes is vital, so we will also assess Bogey Avoidance.
In terms of player profiles to target this week, our focus is on shot-makers who can execute a variety of shots. We seek intelligent players who will strategically navigate the course, taking what it offers rather than forcing difficult shots that could lead to trouble. Distance is likely to provide a significant advantage, as longer hitters may enjoy short iron approaches to the firm greens, while others contend with mid to long irons. Finally, given that this is a major championship, it is often the big-name players who emerge as the winners.
Our Picks:
- Jon Rahm at 9/1 Jon Rahm is a Spanish professional golfer who has achieved remarkable success, including being the former number one golfer in the World Amateur Golf Ranking. He later attained the top spot in the Official World Golf Ranking after winning the Memorial Tournament in July 2020.
- Tony Finau at 30/1 Tony Finau is an American professional golfer who competes on the PGA Tour. Finau has shown strong performances this season, including securing a championship. At the odds offered, he is an enticing each-way selection.
- Viktor Hovland at 16/1 Viktor Hovland, a Norwegian professional golfer competing on both the PGA Tour and European Tour, has already made his mark by winning the 2018 U.S. Amateur. He went on to become the first Norwegian to win on both the PGA Tour and European Tour, with notable victories at the Mayakoba Golf Classic in 2020 and 2021.
Most Betting Firms Paying 8+ Places.
Best PGA Golf Betting Picks and Tips, Image Credit: screenbinge.com
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