It’s only a handful of days until the US Open makes its long-awaited return, and lots of people have been speculating on who could win this epic golf tournament. As it stands, most golf fans have Jon Rahm tipped to claim his first ever US Open, but there’s expected to be some ferocious competition from the likes of Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth and Bryson Dechambeau.
While there is little doubting the exceptional talents of Rahm, it has to be said that many of the sportsbooks featured in these bookmaker reviews have other golfers to be the favourites to win the US Open. All of which could make for essential viewing when the golf tournament kicks off on 17 June.
Rahm’s previous best result at the US Open was when he managed to come joint third at Pebble Beach in California in 2019. This has been followed up by a string of decent results including a win at the Irish Open in July 2019, a second consecutive victory at the Open de Espana a few months later and an astonishing Race to Dubai title that was claimed later that year.
All of which saw Rahm picking up the European Tour Golfer of the Year award, and while he didn’t have such a successful 2020, early indications are that the 26-year old could be back to his best. This is especially true as Rahm was on a six-stroke lead at the Memorial Tournament when he had to withdraw as a result of a positive Covid test earlier this June.
Much of Rahm’s appeal has been his impressive run of form over the past few months. Obviously the traumatic events at the PGA Tour must be factored in, but hopes are high that the Spanish golfer will continue his upward trajectory.
US contenders hoping to steal Rahm’s thunder
If anybody’s going to put Rahm to the test, it’s going to be Brooks Koepka. After all, the 31-year old has already won the US Open back to back in 2017 and 2018, and with a further couple of victories in the PGA Championship, it’s clear that Koepka is a class act. However, it’s important to remember that the golfer’s 2020 campaign was ruined as a result of some nasty hip and knee injuries. While he managed to get a tied second place in the PGA Championship this May, he’ll have his work cut out in getting back to his best.
Ultimately it could be the slightly amusing feud between Koepka and Bryson Dechambeau that could be one of the more entertaining subplots of the US Open. This has simmered on for some time now, and it is probably going to reach its peak in a week’s time. Dechambeau stormed to an amazing US Open victory last year, and it remains to be seen whether he can continue this amazing result into long-lasting form. Although much of the attention might be on the 27-year old’s physique, he’s clearly got a lot of talent as was witnessed when he won the Arnold Palmer Invitational earlier this March.
Beyond this, there are plenty more contenders who will be there for the challenge. Obviously you cannot rule out the likes of Dustin Johnson who will be looking to repeat his famous US Open victory of 2016. Lots of golf fans will also be hoping that Jordan Spieth bounces back to his best. It would mark the second time that the 27-year old had won the US Open, but with his last major championship win coming back in 2017, many are fearing that Spieth could be past his best.
Other golfers to keep an eye on include star players like Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas and Xander Schauffele. Plus with even Collin Morikawa and Patrick Cantlay looking good, it seems that this year’s US Open could be wide open.