US Open Golf 2023: Updated Predictions for Top Prize Money
It's looking like an extremely low score will end up delivering the big money at the 2023 U.S. Open. Two different golfers, Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler, shot a 62 on Thursday, one stroke behind the course record held by Max Homa.
Heading into Friday, 13 competitors hold scores of three-under or better and should be in the thick of the money race the rest of the way.
And there is a lot of money on the line at Los Angeles Country Club this weekend. The winner will claim $3.6 million of a whopping $20 million prize pool, while second and third place will secure more than $1 million each.
With the first day of the tournament complete, let's take a look at the latest odds and some updated predictions for the events' top players.
2023 US Open
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When: June 15-18
Where: Los Angeles Country Club
TV and Live Stream: USA (Thursday, Friday), NBC (Thursday-Sunday), Peacock, USOpen.com, NBCSports.com, NBC Sports app
Prize Money Breakdown
1st Place: $3.6 million
2nd Place: $1.89 million
3rd Place: $1.225 million
4th Place: $859,032
5th Place: $715,491
Early Leaderboard
T1. Rickie Fowler -8
T1. Xander Schauffele -8
T3. Wyndham Clark -6
T3. Dustin Johnson -6
T5. Rory McIlroy -5
T5. Brian Harman -5
T7. Bryson DeChambeau -3
T7. Scottie Scheffler -3
T7. Si Woo Kim -3
T7. Paul Barjon -3
T7. Harris English -3
T7. Sam Bennett -3
T7. Mackenzie Hughes -3
*Full leaderboard can be found at PGATour.com
Updated Favorites
*Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook
Xander Schauffele
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While Schauffele and Rowler haven't exactly run away with the tournament just yet, both are well-positioned to finish as one of the top earners.
Schauffele, in particular, stands a good chance of holding his ground entering the weekend. He has produced top-four finishes in three of his last five outings and has been exceptional on the green as of late.
According to PGATour.com, the 29-year-old ranks 12th in strokes gained through putting this season.
Consistency on the green might be the key to unlocking Schauffele's first major win. While this course doesn't feature a glut of hazards or fairways that demand precision off the tee, the greens can be a challenge.
"With fast greens, if you're behind the hole, you're going to be hoping for a two-putt par," Collin Morikawa said, per Alan Blinder of the New York Times.
Schauffele has the short game needed to stay low over the final three days, and it will be a major surprise if he doesn't secure a top-five finish.
Rickie Fowler
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Like Schauffele, Fowler is still chasing his first win in a major. He finished second at the 2018 Masters but has come no closer since then.
The 34-year-old missed the cut at the PGA Championship and hadn't previously qualified for the U.S. Open since 2020.
However, Fowler gained a little momentum heading into this week with top-10 finishes at the Charles Schwab Challenge and the Memorial Tournament.
Fowler played some of the best golf in his career to set a new U.S. Open record, which Schauffele eventually tied.
"I knew there was birdies to be made out here, but you have to drive it well and get the ball in position first. Yeah, did that, and from there just managed our way around really well," Fowler said, per Todd Kelly of Golfweek.
Fowler hasn't been quite as consistent as Schauffele this season, though, and he may have a tougher time holding onto a share of the lead. However, the prediction here is that he still finishes inside the top 10.
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Rory McIlroy
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Rory McIlroy has been on a roller-coaster ride this season. After tying for second at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, he missed the cut at the Players Championship and the Masters before tying for 47th at the Wells Fargo Championship.
However, the 34-year-old has rebounded nicely over the last month, recording top-10 finishes at his last three events. He has built momentum at the right time, ahead of a tournament that has favored him recently.
McIlroy hasn't won the U.S. Open since 2011 and missed the cut in 2016, 2017 and 2018. However, he has finished in the top 10 in each of the past four events and tied for fifth last year.
"I've started to figure out how to handle U.S. Open conditions and tests," McIlroy said, per Ryan Lavner of Golf Channel, "and I think there's certainly a lot more patience in my game than there used to."
The Northern Irishman's patience and precise approach shots were on full display on Thursday, and he is just three strokes off the leaders at five under.
Expect McIlroy to be chasing the championship on Sunday.
Top Five Predictions
1. Xander Schauffele
2. Rory McIlroy
3. Dustin Johnson
4. Bryson DeChambeau
5. Scottie Scheffler
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