US Open Golf Tournament 2016: Top Odds, Predictions and Storylines for Thursday
The 116th U.S. Open is just hours from its start at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pennsylvania, where the greatest golfers in the world will compete for the United States' biggest prize in golf.
In total, 156 golfers will take on Oakmont beginning on Thursday. Here's a look at the latest favorites to win the U.S. Open, courtesy of Odds Shark:
| Jason Day | +650 | 1 | 2nd (2011), T2 (2013) |
| Rory McIlroy | +750 | 3 | Won (2011) |
| Jordan Spieth | +900 | 2 | Won (2015) |
| Dustin Johnson | +1200 | 6 | T2 (2015) |
| Phil Mickelson | +2500 | 17 | 2nd (Six Times) |
| Justin Rose | +2800 | 10 | Won (2013) |
| Rickie Fowler | +2800 | 5 | T2 (2014) |
| Adam Scott | +3000 | 8 | T4 (2015) |
| Hideki Matsuyama | +3000 | 15 | T10 (2013) |
| Henrik Stenson | +3300 | 7 | T4 (2014) |
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Top Storylines, Predictions
A single hole hasn't been played yet at Oakmont, and this course is already being labeled as a difficult test for its golfers.
In fact, 2006 U.S. Open champion Geoff Ogilvy told CNN's Living Golf that Oakmont is "probably the hardest course in the world on any given day without messing with the setup," via Rob Hodgetts of CNN.com.
The greens are fast and difficult to navigate. Holes are expansive and twisting over the grounds, which will make a player's power just as important as his ability to chip or putt.
This is how the course will look for the field on Thursday:
| Par | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Yards | 482 | 340 | 426 | 609 | 382 | 194 | 479 | 288/252 | 477 |
| Par | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Yards | 462/440 | 379 | 632/667 | 183 | 358 | 500 | 231 | 313 | 484 |
Phil Mickelson told the Associated Press, via the Chronicle-Telegram, "I really think it’s the hardest golf course we’ve ever played."
Heading into such a tough course and feeling the effects of a cold, world No. 1 Jason Day wasn't holding back as to how he was feeling with such a large tournament about to start, via Teddy Greenstein of the Chicago Tribune:
"I've never been more stressed in my life than right now. Being No. 1 in the world, having a lot of expectations, having to practice so hard to keep that No. 1 spot, trying to win as many tournaments … it puts a lot of stress and pressure on your shoulders. Sometimes your immune system gets a little heated, and you're more susceptible to getting some illnesses that way.
"
It's going to take a tremendous effort to win the title at this year's U.S. Open. Due to the difficult course conditions, don't expect many low scores. This sounds like a tournament in which the winner is going to be around the six- or seven-under range at best.
That means the most consistent player going into the tournament is my pick to win it, and that's Day.
The Australian has three wins and four top fives in his last seven tournaments and "the best cumulative score to par over the last five U.S. Opens," according to Kyle Porter of CBSSports.com. Even with a cold, even with all his stress, Day will win his first U.S. Open by the time things draw to a close on Sunday.
Stats courtesy of PGATour.com.
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