U.S. Open Odds 2017: Latest Lines for Top Favorites at Erin Hills

The U.S. Open is one of golf's toughest tests almost every single year.

Since 2005, the eventual U.S. Open champion has not been able to shoot under par five times. Twice, the winner finished five-over par and won the tournament (Geoff Ogilvy in 2006 and Angel Cabrera in 2007).

However, a U.S. Open course can sometimes be beaten by the game's best. Tiger Woods posted perhaps his best tournament performance of all time when he shot 12-under par and beat the field by 15 strokes at Pebble Beach in 2000, and Rory McIlroy shot a U.S. Open record 16-under par at Congressional in 2011.

It will be interesting to see how the game's best stack up against Erin Hills, a public golf course in Erin, Wisconsin, that was established in 2006.

Here's a look at the three current favorites, per OddsShark, and some thoughts on their chances this week. All statistics are via the PGA Tour website.

Dustin Johnson: 6/1

The most important number to keep in mind is 312.1, which is Johnson's average driving distance on the PGA Tour this season. That leads all golfers. As expected, Johnson is also first in strokes gained off the tee (1.107).

Erin Hills is set up for big bombers like Johnson. The course is over 7,800 yards long, and long hitters can take advantage.

Johnson also seems to like the course, per his Twitter account:

"

Had a good couple of practice rounds at Erin Hills and really like the course. Looking forward to defending next week.

— Dustin Johnson (@DJohnsonPGA) June 5, 2017"

Ignore Dustin Johnson's most recent performance at Memorial, where his putter mysteriously disappeared. Although Johnson missed the cut, that gave him an extra couple of days to prepare for the U.S. Open. For the season, Johnson has made nine of 11 cuts and won three events.

Expect Johnson to return to his good form, register some birdies (and maybe even an eagle) due to some booming drives and win the U.S. Open.

Rory McIlroy: 9/1

Like Johnson, McIlroy seems to be a big fan of Erin Hills as well, as he offered nothing but high praise of the course in an interview with the USGA:

Also like Johnson, McIlroy can hit the ball a mile. Over 48 measured PGA Tour rounds last year, McIlroy drove the ball 306.8 yards on average.

The Northern Irishman has an excellent major track record, winning four and finishing in the top 10 a whopping 11 other times. He's also been in good form this season, finishing in the top seven in four PGA Tour events.

McIlroy should be contending in one of the later groups on Sunday.

Jordan Spieth: 10/1

Spieth started the season strong by finishing top nine in five straight events, capped off by a win at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

However, Spieth has been up and down since the Shell Houston Open, missing the cut in three of seven events.

Still, Spieth is one of the best players in the world, and his approach game is second to none. Spieth is also fourth in greens-in-regulation percentage (70.9).

Like McIlroy, Spieth has a great major record, winning two and making his last nine cuts. He should be in contention deep into the U.S. Open.