U.S. Open 2021: 5 dark horse sleepers who can win at Torrey Pines

U.S. Open 2021 sleeper No. 1: Jason Kokrak (+7500)

The oddsmakers are setting themselves up to get hurt in a big way by putting this number on Jason Kokrak. You’re telling me that a two-time winner on the PGA Tour this season who is playing arguably the most well-rounded and overall best golf of a strong career is going to be put at +7500 for the U.S. Open? That should get bettors off their chairs quickly.

It’s just one box after another that Kokrak checks this season with how well he’s been playing. He’s a long hitter off the tee that can keep up with most other golfers at Torrey Pines and, though he’s not exceptionally accurate, he’s rarely erratic. Moreover, he’s traditionally been a high-end iron player and hasn’t even been a top-50 player in that category this season.

But the kicker for Kokrak this season and the biggest reason behind his immense success so far this season has been a turnaround with the putter. He’s gone from a liability on the greens to a player who uses that as a bonafide strength. That’s a game-changer for a player with all Kokrak’s other strengths.

If there’s one worry, it’s Kokrak’s struggles at times around the green. But for a player who is in the form that he’s been in this season with two wins and three other top-10 finishes in big tournaments, Kokrak’s odds don’t match up with the legitimate chance he has to win.