The third major of the PGA Tour season is on the horizon, with the 2025 U.S. Open scheduled to start on Thursday at Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania. Contenders include Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, both highly regarded following their substantial wins at the 2025 PGA Championship and 2025 Masters. However, defending champion Bryson DeChambeau is also a strong candidate in the odds, listed at +700 (bet $100 to win $700).
SportsLine’s simulation model forecasts another impressive showing from DeChambeau, advocating for his head-to-head performance over McIlroy. Additionally, it expects a surprisingly robust finish from Joaquin Niemann. With a best U.S. Open finish of T23 in 2020, Niemann’s recent strong displays position him well, with the model predicting a top-five finish for him.
The model, engineered by DFS pro Mike McClure, has been exceptionally successful since the PGA Tour resumed in June 2020, amassing nearly $9,000 in profits through its top picks. This model has been particularly effective in major tournaments, including a string of successful calls for the 2025 Masters and 2025 PGA Championship. For those who followed its betting picks, substantial returns were possible thanks to latest FanDuel, DraftKings, and Fanatics promotions.
Best 2025 U.S. Open Prop Bets:
- Joaquin Niemann Top-5 Finish (+450)
- Bryson DeChambeau (-165) over Rory McIlroy in head-to-head betting
- Corey Conners Top-30 Finish (+100)
Joaquin Niemann Top-5 finish (+450): After not winning a major yet, Niemann, at 26 years old, is among today’s top golfers. Previously, he finished T23 at the U.S. Open (2020) and just T8 in his last major (2025 PGA Championship). His versatile skills could lead to success at this challenging major. New DraftKings users can receive $300 in bonus bets for a winning $5 wager on Niemann to finish top five.
Bryson DeChambeau (-165) vs. Rory McIlroy H2H: As the reigning champion, DeChambeau has excelled in recent majors, consistently finishing T6 or better in his last six outings; meanwhile, McIlroy’s performance has dropped since his Augusta win. The model predicts DeChambeau will finish ahead of McIlroy in the final standings.
Corey Conners Top-30 Finish (+100): Regarded as a sleeper in this year’s U.S. Open, Conners previously finished T9 (2024) and has four consecutive top-25 finishes across major events. He currently ranks No. 21 in the World Golf Rankings, with projections suggesting a top-15 finish at this year’s Open.
Want more insights and prop bets for the 2025 U.S. Open? You’ve just seen some of Mike McClure’s featured picks. Now, check out picks, fades, and props from Sia Nejad, another SportsLine expert who successfully predicted Wyndham Clark as the outright winner at the 2025 Wells Fargo Championship. Visit SportsLine for further predictions and betting strategies.
