James Mason
A stellar 156-player field will battle it out in this week’s 125th US Open at Oakmont Country Club, which hosts the Major championship for the first time since 2016 and for a record 10th time. Thick rough, cavernous bunkers and lightning-fast greens make this layout one of the toughest tests in the world of golf, and that should make for an enthralling watch across the four days of action. Getting off to a positive start could prove to be crucial in Pennsylvania, so let’s get into our expert US Open first round leader bets ahead of the action on Thursday.
Find out our 2025 US Open best bets and predictions, including TWO longshot picks at +10000 odds
US Open First Round Leader best bet: Bryson DeChambeau (+2000)
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing.
World number 10 Bryson DeChambeau will like his chances of successfully retaining the title he won at Pinehurst last year and he heads into his defense in superb form, with his last 6 results producing form figures of 5-5-2-1-2-4.
The 31-year-old American’s driving is arguably the best in the business and the iron issues that plagued him when in contention at both the Masters and the PGA Championship this year look to have been fixed, with his new set on show for the first time last week when finishing 5th in LIV Golf Virginia.
DeChambeau was tied for the lead after the opening 18 holes in Virginia, the 3rd time in his last four tournaments that he has been at the summit after day 1, while he also made a fast start at Augusta National in April when ending the first round in a share of 5th position.
Every facet of his game looks to be in strong shape and, after being handed an early tee time on Thursday, he can make a big opening statement by shooting a low score.
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US Open First Round Leader prediction: Shane Lowry (+5000)
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing.
Shane Lowry came close to winning at Oakmont in 2016, finishing tied-2nd behind champion Dustin Johnson, and the Irishman is capable of adding the US Open to his 2019 Open success. The 38-year-old is 2nd in strokes gained tee-to-green on the PGA Tour — only Scottie Scheffler sits ahead of him — and that should help him get in the mix for a 2nd Major title.
Lowry has been 7th, 4th and 5th after the first round in 3 of his last 4 starts, while he was also tied-2nd with 18 holes played at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March. Grouped with good friends Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose for the first 2 rounds, Lowry can feed off the positive atmosphere and hit the top of the leaderboard on day one.
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