Add The New York Post on Google The 2026 U.S. Open should be full of surprises.
Being played on one of the toughest courses in the country, Long Island’s Shinnecock Hills, the third major of the year should be a factory of chaos as the best golfers in the world try to stay out of trouble on this links-style track.
The weather should also be a factor, as the forecast is currently calling for some serious wind throughout the weekend. That could change between now and then, but what won’t is the fact that this projects to be one of the most unpredictable tournaments of the season.
Unpredictability always leads to betting opportunities in golf.
Jason Day is past his prime as a golfer, but the Aussie still remains a threat when the conditions are right.
Day’s current form isn’t great, but he’s not the kind of player who needs to be on a roll before he contends. He started the season with a T2 at the American Express after a long layoff, and then finished T6 at the Houston Open after missing the cut twice and finishing T59 in the three preceding events.
Day also has plenty of strong performances at U.S. Opens, twice finishing runner-up, and five times inside the top-10.
Shinnecock demands a sharp short game, and Day ranks sixth on the PGA Tour in Strokes Gained: Around the Green this season.
In these conditions, it’s just as important to be savvy as it is to be talented. Day ticks that box.
Jason Day is a two-time runner-up at the U.S. Open. Getty Images Bryson DeChambeau to miss the cut (+200, bet365) It’s been a weird season for Bryson DeChambeau. He’s been splendid on LIV, but he’s missed the cut at both majors, including at the Masters, where he went off as the second-favorite to win the Green Jacket at some sportsbooks.
DeChambeau’s game is built on power, and Shinnecock isn’t a course that can be tamed with the driver. This could be a really frustrating weekend for the 2024 U.S. Open champion.
Michael Leboff is a long-suffering Islanders fan, but a long-profiting sports bettor with 10 years of experience in the gambling industry. He loves using game theory to help punters win bracket pools, find long shots, and learn how to beat the market in mainstream and niche sports.
