We have reached ‘moving day’ in the second major of the golfing year as the third round of the US Open takes place on Saturday. Half of the field have disappeared and those left will be looking to set themselves up for a shot at the title on Sunday.
Winged Foot finally bared its teeth on Friday after a tame start to the tournament and all eyes will be on the golf course to see if the USGA keep it tough or whether they soften it up and give the players some respite.
Round 2 Recap
There were plenty of players under par after the opening 18 holes but they have swiftly been whittled down to just six players. One of those is Patrick Reed and it is he who will take a one shot lead into the third round with him. He sits on four under par with Bryson DeChambeau a shot further back on three under. Three men then sit on two under – Justin Thomas, Harris English and Rafa Cabrera Bello. Jason Kokrak is the only other player under par. Elsewhere we lost the likes of Tiger Woods, Collin Morikawa and Phil Mickelson while Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson have plenty of work to do to win over the last 36 holes.
It was a slightly profitable day for us betting wise courtesy of Sebastian Munoz coming through his three ball unscathed. Him winning at odds against meant we added a few coins to the profit of Thursday but that profit was eaten into when Martin Kaymer lost out in his three ball. Losing on the final hole was annoying but to lose to the amateur in his group rather than the more established Jimmy Walker was all the more galling. Even so profit is profit!
Saturday Betting
There is a third round leader market for us to get stuck into and I have to admit the likes of Xander Schauffele and Hideki Matsuyama at even par tempt me in should the front two bring each other down but this golf course is getting a little crazy and I’m not sure anyone could predict for whatever is going to do over the 18 holes. My gut tells me that the conditions are going against DeChambeau unless he puts the driver away but that remains to be seen. You’d expect the likes of Cabrera Bello to drop away leaving the door potentially open to someone from behind. That might well be Xander or Hideki but they might be ones to get on if they negotiate the tough first hole ok.
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Saturday 2 Balls
With half the field gone home the USGA can get the players out in two balls for the rest of the tournament with the last pair out onto the golf course being Patrick Reed and Bryson DeChambeau. They head off for their third round at 19.25 BST with Harris English and Rafa Cabrera Bello out 11 minutes before then. Justin Thomas is stalking the leaders and he is out alongside Jason Kokrak at 19.03 BST. Earlier groups of note which will get much of the TV coverage are Lee Westwood and Daniel Berger at 17.24 BST and even earlier than that Paul Casey and Rickie Fowler who are out at 14.39 BST. All the groups have been priced up and I like one bet.
Brendon Todd vs Matthew Wolff
Match tees off at 18.41 BST
Two men who sit at level par after 36 holes are Brendon Todd and Matthew Wolff and they tee off alongside each other in what would normally have been a good match to watch if crowds were allowed in and you was on the course.
As it is we have to watch on TV but we can still bet on it and in these conditions I like the chances of Todd. Wolff has a good record early in his major career but his real Achilles heel at the minute is his short game and putting and as these greens continue to firm up I expect that to get exposed. For all his good long game he hasn’t exactly been hitting the ball that well this week either, hitting just four fairways on Friday. Nobody hit more fairways than Todd on Friday and he sits fifth in strokes gained putting which is no surprise to anyone as he’s an excellent putter. His steady and consistent approach is just what is needed here. It might be an advantage that Todd was out late on Friday. He is more used to these conditions whereas Wolff got the course when it was easier on Friday. I think Todd fits the test better anyway and at a good odds against price he’s my bet here.
Tips
Back B.Todd to beat M.Wolff for a 3/10 stake at 2.30 with 888sport
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