2025 U.S. Open: Oakmont & Golf’s Underdogs
- Open frequently enough highlights golf's brightest stars, but could an underdog defy the odds?
- Open has been friendly to first-time major winners this past decade.
- Of the last 53 major championship winners, only one was ranked outside the top 50 in the Official World Golf Rankings: phil Mickelson, ranked No.
U.S. Open: Underdog Odds and Potential sleeper Contenders at Oakmont
Oakmont,Pa. — The U.S. Open frequently enough highlights golf’s brightest stars, but could an underdog defy the odds? While top-ranked players typically dominate major championships, history reveals opportunities for unexpected victors, especially first-time major winners.
The U.S. Open has been friendly to first-time major winners this past decade. The list includes Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, Matt Fitzpatrick and Wyndham Clark. Many have gone onto become big names and multiple-time major champions … but not necessarily all.
Of the last 53 major championship winners, only one was ranked outside the top 50 in the Official World Golf Rankings: phil Mickelson, ranked No. 115 when he won the 2021 PGA Championship at age 50.
Scottie Scheffler, currently dominating the field, presents a notable hurdle for underdog hopes.Bryson DeChambeau, Rory McIlroy, and Jon Rahm also pose formidable challenges in the quest for the U.S. Open championship.
Still, the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club offers a glimmer of hope for potential sleeper contenders. The course has historically crowned first-time major champions, including Jack Nicklaus, Ernie Els, and Angel Cabrera.
| Odds | Player | Strokes Gained per Round (Last Six Months) |
|---|---|---|
| 11/4 | Scottie Scheffler | +3.31 |
| 7-1 | Bryson DeChambeau | +2.60 |
| 12-1 | Rory McIlroy | +2.15 |
| 12-1 | Jon Rahm | +1.92 |
| 22-1 | Xander schauffele | +1.10 |
| Odds | Player | strokes Gained per Round (Last Six Months) |
|---|---|---|
| 300-1 | Matt McCarty | +0.41 |
| 250-1 | Tom Kim | +0.32 |
| 400-1 | Jhonattan vegas | +0.25 |
| 220-1 | Michael Kim | +1.06 |
| 500-1 | Nico Echavarria | +0.19 |
What’s next
While the odds favor established stars, the U.S. Open’s history of surprise victories suggests that a first-time major winner could emerge at Oakmont. Keep an eye on players outside the top rankings who might just defy expectations.