US Open Golf 2024: Predictions for Top Prize Money Before Opening Round
The third major of the 2024 golf season is upon us. Over the next four days, some of the world's best will compete in the 124th U.S. Open at historic Pinehurst No. 2. At stake will be one of the top tournament titles in the sport, along with the winner's share of a $21.5 million prize pool.
Unsurprisingly, the field of contenders is akin to an all-star golf lineup. World No. 1-ranked Scottie Scheffler headlines a field that also includes Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, Max Homa, Collin Morikawa, Brooks Koepka, Viktor Hovland, Tiger Woods and Bryson DeChambeau.
The next four days should provide plenty of thrills for golf fans. The talent pool is superb, the stakes are high, and the course, while challenging, provides one of the best backdrops in the sport.
Let's take a look at what fans can expect this weekend and make a few predictions.
2024 U.S. Open Information
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When: June 13-16
First Tee: 6:45 a.m. ET on Thursday
Where: Pinehurst Resort, No. 2 Course
Prize Pool: $21.5 Million ($4.3 Million to Winner)
TV and Live Stream Schedule (all times ET)
Thursday, June 13: 6:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. on USA, 5 - 8 p.m. on Peacock
Friday: 6:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Peacock, 1 - 7 p.m. on NBC, 7 - 8 p.m. on Peacock
Saturday: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. on USA, 12 - 8 p.m. on NBC
Sunday: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. on USA, 12 - 7 p.m. on NBC
*Select featured-group live stream on USOpen.com and U.S. Open mobile app
*For tickets to the 2024 U.S. Open and other PGA events, check out Vivid Seats
Opening-Round Favorites
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Scottie Scheffler 28-10
Xander Schauffele 10-1
Rory McIlroy 11-1
Collin Morikawa 16-1
Viktor Hovland 20-1
Bryson DeChambeau 20-1
Ludvig Aberg 20-1
Brooks Koepka 22-1
Hideki Matsuyama 35-1
Tommy Fleetwood 40-1
Justin Thomas 40-1
Matt Fitzpatrick 40-1
Cameron Smith 40-1
*Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook
Preview and Predictions
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Pinehurst No. 2 has played a part in golf history pretty much since it opened in 1907. The course has hosted three previous U.S. Opens (1999, 2005 and 2014) and hosted the U.S. Amateur Championship in 2019.
While weather shouldn't be a major factor at this year's tournament—Weather Channel projects only a very slight chance of precipitation— the course's challenging greens will be. Pinehurst has long been known for its difficult, domed greens, and they appear to have gotten faster in 2024.
"I find myself hitting uphill putts six feet by," defending champion Wyndham Clark said, per Sean Zak of Golf.com. "It was a common theme in our group. I mean, multiple guys putted off the green. Multiple guys hit putts, they're like, Oh, my gosh."
The greens add a certain element of unpredictability to this year's tournament, as one off-target putt or chip could quickly spiral into disaster. They could also potentially give an edge to golfers who specialize in short-game efficiency.
Hideki Matsuyama, for example, is a 35-1 long shot. However, he ranks first in strokes gained around the green and could emerge as a surprise contender if he can outperform other top competitors in the short area.
DeChambeu is known more for his powerful driving than his short game, but the PGA Championship runner-up believes he has found a rhythm in time to tackle Pinehurst.
"I didn't putt very well at Augusta; I was pretty disappointed," DeChambeau said, per Brentley Romine of NBC Sports. "I worked really hard and actually found something the week of Valhalla with my putting. From there, I've just been smooth sailing."
McIlroy has also been on a bit of a role lately, having won the Wells Fargo Championship last month and notching top-15 finishes in his last four tournaments.
"I'm more confident than ever that I'm right there," McIlroy said, per Peter Scrivener of BBC.com.
Still, it's hard to pick against the favorite, Scheffler, here. He has won five of his last eight tournaments, and his worst finish during that stretch was an eighth-place tie at the PGA Championship.
Scheffler is playing at a consistently dominant level right now, to the point that anything less than a top-five finish would be shocking.
Early Top-Five Predictions
1. Scottie Scheffler
2. Bryson DeChambeau
3. Collin Morikawa
4. Rory McIlroy
5. Hideki Matsuyama
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