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U.S. Open 2021: Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland and 5 bold predictions for Torrey Pines

By Cody Williams

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 15: Jon Rahm of Spain smiles on the fourth green during a practice round prior to the start of the 2021 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course on June 15, 2021 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 15: Jon Rahm of Spain smiles on the fourth green during a practice round prior to the start of the 2021 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course on June 15, 2021 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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Bryson DeChambeau, U.S. Open. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

Five 2021 U.S. Open bold predictions include the fate of betting favorite Jon Rahm, a breakout for Viktor Hovland and more at Torrey Pines. 

Though only one U.S. Open has been held at Torrey Pines, the venue is 1-for-1 in delivering an absolutely epic week of golf. 13 years ago in 2008, Tiger Woods needed 91 holes with a full playoff round and one sudden-death hole to top Rocco Mediate — all while on a badly injured knee. So the question is if Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Jordan Spieth and many others can deliver a similarly entertaining spectacle for the 2021 U.S. Open.

While the U.S. Open and the extremely difficult challenge it often presents is fascinating in its own right, one of the strongest narratives heading into Torrey Pines this year is that no one has separated themselves. Rahm might’ve been in that category if he weren’t coming off a positive COVID test that forced him to withdraw from the Memorial, a tournament he was about to dominantly win. Instead, there are questions as he returns to the course.

But looking at everything we do know, what’s the fun if we don’t get a little bit bold and risky with our picks and predictions for the U.S. Open? So that’s what we’re doing with five bold predictions for the action at Torrey Pines this week.

Note: All odds are via WynnBet and stats via PGATour.com unless otherwise noted.

5. U.S. Open 2021 prediction: Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka miss the cut

Much of the talk leading up to this trip to Torrey Pines has centered on the increasing animosity between two of the biggest names in the golfing world, Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka. But now that the two golfers won’t be paired together for the first two rounds, any rivalry will come down to head-to-head comparisons or the hope that they’ll end up in the same group for a weekend round.

But what if neither makes it to the weekend? Frankly, that doesn’t even feel overly bold given what these players have looked like.

While DeChambeau is the defending U.S. Open champion and hasn’t been missing a lot of cuts, he’s been far from sharp as of late, particularly with his irons and wedges. That could hurt him if he’s playing for the rough at Torrey. For Koepka, people are weighing his T2 at the PGA Championship too heavily as he’s honestly been pedestrian otherwise. So for this weekend, the rivalry fizzles out before even making it to Saturday.

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