US Open Golf 2021: Daily Fantasy Picks, Strategy and Tips

For the first time since 2008, Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego will host the U.S. Open this week. And if the action is anything like last time, we should be in for an exciting weekend.

The only other time the U.S. Open took place at this course, Tiger Woods outlasted Rocco Mediate through an 18-hole playoff before winning on the first hole of sudden death. It can be a tricky course to play, but many of the golfers in the field have experience there, as the Farmers Insurance Open is held at Torrey Pines each year.

Jon Rahm enters the U.S. Open as one of the favorites, still in search of his first career win at a major tournament. But there are plenty of other golfers who could be at the top of the leaderboard throughout the weekend, including Bryson DeChambeau, who is looking to win his second straight U.S. Open title.

As the start of the tournament nears on Thursday, here's some early daily fantasy advice to consider for the event. (All prices via DraftKings.)

There was some concern over whether Rahm could miss the U.S. Open after his positive COVID-19 test caused him to withdraw from the Memorial Tournament two weekends ago after the third round. But Rahm has tested negative twice and is now out of isolation, and he'll be ready to go this week.

When Rahm withdrew from the Memorial Tournament, he had a six-stroke lead and appeared to be on his way to an impressive win. He's likely to pick up where he left off at Torrey Pines, where he's had plenty of success in recent years.

In 2017, Rahm won the Farmers Insurance Open for his first career PGA Tour victory. The 26-year-old has also finished seventh or better in that tournament in each of the past three years. So he knows what it takes to be successful at Torrey Pines.

Because of that, Rahm ($11,200) is worth the high price it will cost to play him in DFS lineups. Even if he doesn't win the U.S. Open, he's going to play well enough to put up some solid scores, likely in all four rounds. And of course, there's also the potential he finally breaks through for his first major win.

Shane Lowry has been impressing so far in 2021, as he's finished in the top nine in three of his past four tournaments. That included a fourth-place finish at the PGA Championship last month and a sixth-place showing at the Memorial Tournament two weekends ago.

Now, Lowry heads to Torrey Pines, where he's had some past success. From 2015-17, he posted finishes of seventh, 13th and 33rd in the Farmers Insurance Open. He missed the cut in 2018, the last time he played in that tournament, but that was because of one bad round. He's still had enough success there to think he could play well this week.

Lowry ($7,600) also won't cost as much as some of the top favorites in daily fantasy, so it could be wise to include him in lineups, as he has the potential to get off to a strong start and be near the top of the leaderboard. Considering how well he's played of late, he may also stay there.

Expect Lowry to fare better than his last trip to Torrey Pines as he looks for more success at the U.S. Open, in which he owns a pair of top-10 finishes in the past.

Wyndham Clark has never played in the U.S. Open, and he's only competed in a pair of major tournaments (the PGA Championship the past two years). And that's why the 27-year-old could be a sleeper this weekend at Torrey Pines.

Although Clark doesn't have a ton of experience on the big stage, he is familiar with this course. Earlier this year at the Farmers Insurance Open, Clark had a solid showing, finishing 32nd and shooting no worse than 73 in any of his four rounds. He also got off to a strong start, opening the tournament with a 67.

In 2020, Clark shot a 69 in the opening round of the Farmers Insurance Open, before missing the cut due to a 79 in the second round. In 2019, he shot a 69 in the first round and a 67 in the second round at that event before finishing 35th.

History seems to indicate that Clark ($6,700) could be a DFS steal this week. And if you're going to play him, it could be wise to do so earlier in the tournament.

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