Mightiest US Open LIV Golfer Forced to Bend a Knee as Bryson DeChambeau Makes the Odds Sing a Different Story

It was the 2018 U.S. Open. Brooks Koepka played the final 10 holes at the tough Shinnecock Hills at even par before making a birdie on the par-5, 16th. He then went ahead to win the event by a stroke despite bogeying the final hole and claimed the $2.16 million prize. Fast forward to 2024, and the golfer’s feat in 2018 has now made him the most successful LIV Golf Pro at the upcoming major. But things are not what they usually seem. Enter Bryson Dechambeau with his scintillating odds.

The ‘Scientist’ has been on a roll this season, especially in the recently ended major championships at Augusta National and Valhalla. His thought-provoking skills and finishes have, consequently, led him to lord over the 5-time major champ when it comes to being more likely to win the 124th edition of the U.S. Open.

Bryson DeChambeau one-ups Brooks Koepka

A total of 13 LIV golfers were set to take part in the major until Jon Rahm pulled out of it owing to an unfortunate injury. Now, the lineup from the Saudi-backed league is spearheaded by none other than DeChambeau, with odds of +2000, as per a report by USA Today. Following him closely at No. 2 is Koepka, with odds of +2200.

Their recent finishes in two majors, coupled with their LIV Golf performances, have played a vital part in the duo’s odds. While Koepka has four top-10 finishes, including a win at the Middle Eastern circuit, he only has a T45 placement and a T26 finish at the Masters and the PGA Championship, respectively. Bryson DeChambeau, meanwhile, has tied for T6 at Augusta and finished T2 at Valhalla, not to mention his four top-10 finishes in LIV Golf this season.

That’s not all. The 2020 U.S. Open champ ranks at the top of the table when it comes to Driving Distance and Eagles average, with figures of 320.9 and 0.29 respectively. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for Koepka, who ranks 15th and 38th for the same stats. Although the latter does have better figures when it comes to GIR% and Birdie average, the pro not dishing out his best outside of the LIV Golf circuit appears to have affected his odds badly.

The odds look promising for both golfers in the LIV Golf lineup, now comprising 12 athletes, given Jon Rahm’s absence from the third major of the season due to a foot injury. But the same cannot be said when the whole of the field is taken into consideration, with Scottie Scheffler leading the way, naturally.

Scheffler beats both DeChambeau and Koepka

Scheffler has been having the best of seasons with five victories, along with seven other top-10 finishes in 2024. This, coupled with his insane stats on the greens, including Strokes Gained at 2.913, GIR% at 73.52%, and Putting Average at 1.666, among others, have, needless to say, increased his odds of winning the upcoming major.

The golfer, as a result, tops the field with odds of +333, followed by Xander Schauffele at +1100. Bryson DeChambeau, on the other hand, has found himself in the 5th position, while Koepka holds his place at No. 8. But regardless of all these numbers, the situation may change anytime on the course, especially when Pinehurst No. 2 seems a tough challenge this time around, as per Wyndham Clark. Well, let us keep our eyes open for the exciting showdown!