2014 U.S. Open: Rory McIlroy is the betting favorite

By Bernie D'Amato | Jun 9, 2014

May 29, 2014; Dublin, OH, USA; Rory McIlroy leaves the course as the leader after completing the first round of the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /

Betting on golf is not smart, as there are too many variables involved over 72-hole golf tournament that make predicting the outcome impossible. That being said, the betting favorites this week seem to be fairly safe bets to make, as the field is starting to fill itself out as we near the tee times.

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According to Bovada.lv, Rory McIlroy is the favorite at 10/1 followed by Adam Scott at 12/1, and then Phil Mickelson at 14/1.

Rory and Adam should be in a dead heat for the favorite. They have both recently won golf tournaments. Rory won the European Tour’s flagship event, the BMW PGA Championship, and Scott won the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial. To say that one player has a better chance than the other is foolish.

Phil Mickelson is overrated right now. He does not have a single top-10 on the PGA Tour this season. Bubba Watson at 18/1 should be the highest rated lefty in the field.

Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia at 33/1 could be the best bet. They are both playing solid golf and have done everything in their careers except win a major championship.

With the firm conditions, there will be a priority on driving the ball in the fairway. Sergio Garcia is an excellent driver of the ball. He will be able to put himself in the ideal position from the tee.

The bowl-shaped putting surfaces will lead to a lot of missed greens. Luke Donald has the short game (he hasn’t missed a three-footer in about three years) to scramble like a champion.

Martin Kaymer is 40/1. His game is on the up with his win at The Players Championship.

Ian Poulter is 66/1. Don’t forget about Poults.