US Open 2017 Odds: Examining Betting Lines for Underrated Picks

World No. 1 and defending champion Dustin Johnson is the 15-2 favourite to triumph at the 2017 U.S. Open, which starts at Erin Hills in Wisconsin on Thursday.

His closest rivals, as far as the bookies are concerned, are set to be 2015 champion Jordan Spieth (12-1), world No. 2 Rory McIlroy (12-1) and two-time runner-up Jason Day (14-1).

However, as is so often the case with majors, there are potential winners throughout the field and value to be found in the betting.

Fifth favourite Jon Rahm, 22, is available at 20-1 to lift the famous trophy, and although he missed the cut in his last tournament at the Memorial, he has enjoyed a very fine year to now, per the PGA Tour:

Belgium's Thomas Pieters is another youngster who could well be worth backing. The 25-year-old was mighty impressive as he finished in a tie for fourth at the Masters and, at 40-1, looks like an excellent value given how cool he has proved to be under pressure.

Erin Hills is a new U.S. Open venue (it only opened in 2006) and will be unfamiliar to the majority of the field.

Given the length of the rough on the course, there will be little margin for error, per Lee Westwood (via the European Tour):

It is a monstrous course at over 7,700 yards, and Spaniard Rahm described it as "like a links golf course on steroids—everything is a little bigger," per the42.ie.

Ireland's Shane Lowry could be an excellent pick at 66-1. The 30-year-old will be playing in his fifth U.S. Open, and he is on an upward trajectory.

Missed cuts in 2011 and 2014 were followed by a ninth-place finish in 2015 before he tied for second last year having led by four shots going into the final day.

Lowry will be eager to make amends for throwing away his lead last year—he shot six over in his final round—and he has said himself he thinks Erin Hills "suits my game," per Sky Sports' Andy Charles.

He should then be one to watch as the second major of the year gets under way. 

All odds courtesy of OddsShark.