US Open 2015 Odds: Predictions for Top Contenders at Chambers Bay
| Player | Odds |
| Rory McIlroy | 7-1 |
| Jordan Spieth | 8-1 |
| Dustin Johnson | 18-1 |
| Justin Rose | 18-1 |
| Phil Mickelson | 18-1 |
| Rickie Fowler | 18-1 |
| Henrik Stenson | 25-1 |
| Adam Scott | 28-1 |
| Bubba Watson | 28-1 |
| Hideki Matsuyama | 33-1 |
| Jason Day | 33-1 |
| Jim Furyk | 33-1 |
| Jimmy Walker | 33-1 |
| Sergio Garcia | 33-1 |
| Martin Kaymer | 40-1 |
| Matt Kuchar | 40-1 |
| Patrick Reed | 40-1 |
| Billy Horschel | 50-1 |
| Brandt Snedeker | 50-1 |
| Brooks Koepka | 50-1 |
| Tiger Woods | 50-1 |
| Byeong Hun An | 66-1 |
| Keegan Bradley | 66-1 |
| Lee Westwood | 66-1 |
| Paul Casey | 66-1 |
| Ryan Moore | 66-1 |
| Zach Johnson | 66-1 |
The 21st century has seen a change when it comes to U.S. Open winners.
Previously dominated by American winners—Ernie Els was the only overseas player to win the tournament during the 1990s—four of the last five champions have been European.
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That may well be the case once again in 2015 at Chambers Bay, on a course likely to play more like an Open Championship.
But the great US hope this year is Masters champion Jordan Spieth, who is joined among the favourites by compatriots Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler, 2013 champion Justin Rose and world No. 1 Rory McIlroy.
Read on for predictions as to how the top contenders will fare, ahead of a tournament defined in the run-up by its unpredictability.
Rory McIlroy - 7-1
The world No. 1 has endured something of a mixed season so far. While he has won three times, he has also missed three cuts, two of them very recently at the PGA Championship and the Irish Open.
That is some poor form to be taking to Washington, to play on a course with a distinctive links feel, the type of course on which the Northern Irishman has struggled in the past.
McIlroy is a stunningly good golfer, and he proved in 2014 with back-to-back major wins that he has the ability to turn it on when the stakes are at their highest.
However, he comes to Chambers Bay in poor touch, to a challenging course that will require the utmost patience when it's numerous quirks cause the ball to perhaps bounce unfairly now and again, per BBC Radio 5 live:
It looks set to be a challenging week for everyone, McIlroy included. The 2011 U.S.Open champ won't be missing another cut in Washington, but he won't be adding another major to his collection either.
Predicted Finish: Outside top 10
Jordan Spieth - 8-1
It's difficult to explain just how impressive Spieth's Masters victory was back in April when he blew the field away, eventually winning by four shots.
The confidence he will have drawn from that—his first major victory at just 21 years old—will be huge, as he now knows he has what it takes to beat the best at the highest level.
He comes to Chambers Bay in decent form having picked up a tied-third finish at the Memorial last time out.
Furthermore, he may have the edge when it comes to course management, given the knowledge of his caddie, Michael Greller, who knows Chambers Bay very well.
As Spieth has suggested ahead of the tournament, Greller will be a big help, per Simon Lewis of breakingNEWS.ie:
"I was excited for Michael, too, such a cool week to him to come to a place that's close to his heart. I feel like if there's any advantage given, it would be towards us with his knowledge of the place. I think it's going to help driving the ball, sight lines and understanding when things get firm he's going to know where it would run off to a little better, maybe. I think off the tee it's really going to help.
"
Spieth will undoubtedly be in the mix come Sunday, but a second consecutive major win may just be beyond him.
Predicted Finish: Top 5
Rickie Fowler - 18-1
American Fowler is representative, along with McIlroy and Spieth, of a new generation of fantastic golfers who will likely dominate the sport for years to come.
However, unlike McIlroy and Spieth, he has yet to win a major. That could all change this week for the 26-year-old.
Fowler finished in the top five in all four majors in 2014, a hugely impressive effort which shows he is just one or two shots away from finally winning one.
He triumphed at the Players Championship in May, a terrific boost ahead of the U.S. Open. Fowler is a quality links golfer; imaginative and calm.
He will take any poor breaks he gets at Chambers Bay in his stride, and if he shows the consistency he has proven he is capable of, he will be a major winner come Sunday evening.
Predicted Finish: Winner
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