US Open Golf 2022: Early Storylines to Watch, Latest Odds and Predictions

Some of the biggest names in golf have won the U.S. Open in recent years. Brooks Koepka won in 2017 and 2018; Bryson DeChambeau (2020) and Jon Rahm (2021) each won their first major title at the tournament; while others, such as Jordan Spieth, Dustin Johnson and Gary Woodland, have finished first at the event in the past decade.

But who's going to win the U.S. Open in 2022? We'll find out this weekend, as this year's tournament will get underway Thursday at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass.

The field is stacked with top golfers, and any one of them could end up at the top of the leaderboard, especially considering the event hasn't been played on this course since 1988.

As the 2022 U.S. Open nears, here's a look at the latest odds, followed by several storylines to follow and predictions for the tournament.

Top Odds to Win

AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty

Rory McIlroy, left, of Northern Ireland, and Jon Rahm, of Spain, talk before teeing off at the fifth hole at The Country Club, Monday, June 13, 2022, in Brookline, Mass., during a practice round ahead of the U.S. Open golf tournament. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

Rory McIlroy: +1000 (bet $100 to win $1,000)

Justin Thomas: +1100

Jon Rahm: +1200

Scottie Scheffler: +1400

Xander Schauffele: +1600

Patrick Cantlay: +2000

Cameron Smith: +2200

Dustin Johnson: +2800

Jordan Spieth: +2800

Sam Burns: +3000

Matthew Fitzpatrick: +3000

Collin Morikawa: +3000

Will Zalatoris: +3000

Daniel Berger: +3500

Shane Lowry: +3500

Tony Finau: +3500

Viktor Hovland: +3500

Via DraftKings Sportsbook

What's Next in Scheffler's Impressive Year?

Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images

BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 13: Scottie Scheffler of the United States waves on the second green during a practice round prior to the 2022 U.S. Open at The Country Club on June 13, 2022 in Brookline, Massachusetts. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)

It's been an incredible year already for Scottie Scheffler, who enters the U.S. Open at No. 1 in the Official World Golf Ranking.

However, the 25-year-old's showings at the first two majors in 2022 couldn't have been more different.

In April, Scheffler won his first career major title at the Masters Tournament, where he shot a 71 or better in all four rounds to capture the green jacket. But at last month's PGA Championship, he missed the cut after shooting a 71 and a 75 in the first two rounds.

So, what will happen next for the American in his third appearance at the U.S. Open? He missed the cut in 2019 and then tied for seventh last year, and he could be poised for an even better showing this weekend.

Although Scheffler didn't fare well at his most recent major, he's bounced back since then. He finished second at the Charles Schwab Challenge and tied for 18th at the RBC Canadian Open. He also shot a 69 or better in six of his eight rounds at those two events.

While Scheffler should play well at the U.S. Open, it won't be enough to win. Still, he'll make the cut and put together a few solid rounds.

Prediction: Scheffler finishes in the top 20

Can Thomas Win Back-to-Back Majors?

Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images

ETOBICOKE, ONTARIO - JUNE 12: Justin Thomas of the United States plays his shot from the second tee during the final round of the RBC Canadian Open at St. George's Golf and Country Club on June 12, 2022 in Etobicoke, Ontario. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)

Justin Thomas' five-year major drought is over.

Last month, he won the 2022 PGA Championship, marking his second career victory at a major tournament and his first since he won the same event in 2017.

It was an impressive showing in which the 29-year-old shot a 67 in three of the first four rounds before defeating Will Zalatoris in a playoff.

Now, Thomas will look to win back-to-back majors by capturing the U.S. Open title this weekend. He's never finished better than eighth at the tournament, but he's ended up in the top 25 in four of the past five years.

In recent months, the American has been playing quite well. He has seven top-10 finishes over his past 10 tournaments, and he's coming off a third-place showing at last weekend's RBC Canadian Open.

It's difficult to win one of golf major's tournaments, but it's an even bigger challenge to claim two in a row. So, while Thomas will continue to play well, it won't be quite enough to win his first U.S. Open.

Prediction: Thomas finishes in the top 10

McIlroy Looks to Finally End Major Drought

Warren Little/Getty Images

BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 13: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot on the third hole during a practice round prior to the 2022 U.S. Open at The Country Club on June 13, 2022 in Brookline, Massachusetts. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

Thomas finally captured another major title with his PGA Championship victory, but Rory McIlroy is looking to end a drought that is even longer.

The 33-year-old has been one of the best golfers in the world over the past decade, but that hasn't translated to a ton of success at recent majors. He's won four major titles in his career, but the most recent of those came at the 2014 PGA Championship.

Since then, McIlroy has had some strong showings at prestigious events. He finished second at this year's Masters and placed eighth at the PGA Championship last month.

The Northern Irishman now enters the U.S. Open off a win at the RBC Canadian Open last weekend, and he'll aim to keep his string of impressive results going.

Could this finally be it? Will he break through to win the U.S. Open for the second time (and for the first time since 2011) and finally capture another major title?

The prediction here is yes. McIlroy is playing so well right now that he should put together four strong rounds at The Country Club and fend off the other top competitors in the field. Expect an impressive winning performance from him this weekend.

Prediction: McIlroy wins the U.S. Open title