West Coast Golfers Should Thrive at US Open
The US Open at Torrey Pines is set to tee-off on Thursday morning, and if you’re trying to make some last minute decisions on who to bet on, consider where they grew up.
It may not be as silly as it seems.
As many golf nerds know, course architecture can vary wildly depending on where it’s located. Links style courses are plentiful in Europe, parkland courses dominate inland areas, and sandbelt courses are popular in hotter climates like Australia. Courses on the West Coast of North America also have their own special flair.
If you don’t believe me, check out the top players on Tour in strokes gained at events that take place on the West Coast.
Here's the one y'all have been waiting for...SG: West Coast. Going back to 2018, here is how players in the #USOpen field have performed in the western part of ?? (min. 8 rds). No surprise the entire top five are western boys. pic.twitter.com/Gk8KHDIU8O
— PGA Splits 101 (@PGASplits101) June 15, 2021
All top five golfers on the list have extensive experience golfing on the American West Coast. Jon Rahm was born in Spain, but he went to school and currently lives in Arizona. Tony Finau grew up in Utah. Patrick Cantlay was born in California and went to UCLA. Xander Schauffele grew up in San Diego, just miles away from Torrey Pines, and finally Bryson DeChambeau is also a California native.
All five golfers also have favorable odds at WynnBET to win this week’s US Open. Rahm is the favorite at +850, while Schauffele (+1500) and DeChambeau (+1700) round out the top three on the odds list. Cantlay and Finau are both close behind at +2250.
That’s no coincidence.
One of the main features of a West Coast golf course is the grass that’s used on the greens called poa annua. The specific type of grass is native to the West Coast, and many courses that try to get rid of it in exchange for something more commonly used, like bentgrass, end up having poa annua naturally take over the greens once again.
If you want to find out who has historically putt the best on poa annua greens, you’re in luck.
With the greens at the #USOpen being pure Poa Annua, here is the breakdown of who putts best on that grass since 2017 (min. 8 rds). Included are the best performers above their non-"pure" Poa baseline. This only includes west coast Poa except for Chapultepec and Winged Foot. pic.twitter.com/ihtYsyvdPX
— PGA Splits 101 (@PGASplits101) June 15, 2021
While good putters will usually perform well with their flat stick no matter what type of grass they’re on, you’ll see familiar names on the top 10 of the list including Rahm, Schauffele, and fellow San Diego native Phil Mickelson.
If you’re trying to decide between a handful of golfers that you’ve considered backing with your money this week, using their experience on West Coast courses could be a great final deciding factor.