US Open: all to play for as big guns make their move at Brookline

Cream rising to top

Five shots cover the top 30 on the leaderboard but with the cream rising to the top, the chances of a classic winner of the US Open grew exponentially at Brookline on Friday.

Two-time Major winner Collin Morikawa shot a four-under 66 and Joel Dahmen a 68 to lead by a shot on five-under par from defending champion Jon Rahm, qualifier Hayden Buckley from Mississippi, four-time Major winner Rory McIlroy, Aaron Wise and Beau Hossler.

While Morikawa is just 6 to claim the third leg of the career Grand Slam, it’s now impossible to ignore McIlroy, who avoided disaster by making a 30 footer for a double-bogey at the third and had the poise to chisel out a 69 that left him tied for second.

McIlroy to stay in the mix

The Holywood star is the favourite at 5.8 to end his eight-year wait for that elusive fifth Major win and he looks remarkably composed and patient as he rides a hot wave of form.

With his course management at a different level this week and his putting saving him time and again, it’s hard to see the 2011 US Open champion not being in the mix come Sunday afternoon.

“It's not too fiery, but I would expect just over the weekend for it to get a little faster and a little fierier,” McIlroy said of the course. “You have to be pretty precise already, but maybe just that little bit more precise with everything.”

Rory McIlroy is just one shot off the lead as he looks to claim a fifth Major win at Brookline

Dahmen to drop back

With that in mind, it’s difficult to see the less experienced campaigner staying the course.

While Dahmen was tied 10th in the 2020 PGA Championship at Harding Park, where Morikawa won on his debut, this is the first time he’s made the cut in three US Open appearances.

Rahm looked impressive yesterday but there are other names lurking who have the games to make a move today.

Scheffler in contention

World number one and reigning Masters champion Scottie Scheffler (8.8) is the standout candidate, just two shots off the pace alongside qualifier Nick Hardy, Australia’s Matthew NeSmith, Patrick Rodgers, and left-hander Brian Harman.

If you’re looking for more value, England’s Matt Fitzpatrick (26) remains an outstanding candidate as he shares 13th with Sam Burns and first round leader, Canadian Adam Hadwin. Burns looks a great bet at 23 but there are others too.

Xander Schauffele and Will Zalatoris are in an eight-man group on one-under. But with four-time Major winner Brooks Koepka lurking on level par after a 67 yesterday and PGA champion Justin Thomas and multiple major winner Dustin Johnson just six behind on one-over, much can still happen.

Recommended bets

Jon Rahm @ 6.2

Collin Morikawa @ 6

Sam Burns @ 23

Matt Fitzpatrick @ 26