8 Biggest Longshots In Golf Betting History To Win US Open

The US Open had been the second golf major of the calendar year for decades — until the PGA Championship moved to May in 2019. The Father’s Day weekend sports tradition is currently third before The Open Championship in the UK in July. US Open odds have not produced many longshot winners, with the USGA making each course as difficult as possible. Nevertheless, there have been some exceptions. Let’s dive into the eight biggest US Open longshots to win the tournament since 1985, as far back as we can reach with sports betting records.

If only we had the golf betting sites in 1893 to know what amateur Francis Ouimet’s golf odds were for his stunning playoff victory over British golf legends Harry Vardon and Ted Ray.

8 Biggest US Open Longshots To Win Since 1985

Many consider the US Open the most difficult of the four majors. No one has more major golf titles all-time than Jack Nicklaus. The Golden Bear is tied atop the board with Willie Anderson, Bobby Jones, and Ben Hogan, emerging victorious four times at the USGA’s signature event. But none of them were considered US Open longshots.

For consistency, let’s set the barometer at +4000 or longer (excluding five-time major winner Brooks Koepka). Eight winners fit this mold over the last two decades.

8. Martin Kaymer (2014): +4000

Kaymer notched an eight-shot US Open victory thanks to a record-setting 10-under par through 36 holes after back-to-back 65s. His final 271 (-9) tally is tied for the second-lowest total in US Open history behind Rory McIlroy (268) at Congressional Country Club in 2011. A total of 15 players broke par during the opening round, which lined up similarly with the first-round scoring in the previous two US Open championships played at Pinehurst. It’s not bad, considering Kaymer shot over par on the weekend.

It was his second major championship win. He has not won since that crowning achievement.

7. Webb Simpson (2012): +5000

While many of the sport’s stars faltered, the 26-year-old Wake Forest graduate manufactured a Major win in his fourth professional season. He shot 68 in the final round and ran down 2003 US Open champ Jim Furyk.

6. Graeme McDowell (2010): +6600

Like Simpson, McDowell was a first-time Major winner, recording a 74 in the final round. He also received some assistance from Dustin Johnson, who led by three strokes going into Sunday. But a triple bogey on the second hole and a double bogey on the third hole doomed the soon-to-be two-time Major champion.

T4. Gary Woodland (2019): +8000

With a round of two-under 69 and a closing birdie on the 72nd hole, the Kansas native finally succeeded in a Major, remaining ahead of Brooks Koepka by three strokes. Koepka was seeking a third-consecutive US Open title that year at Pebble Beach. 

T4. Geoff Ogilvy (2006): +8000

On a rather obscure Sunday, five golfers held a share of the lead or better at different junctures. One of them was Ogilvy, who conquered the likes of Phil Mickelson and Colin Montgomerie to rack up a shocking victory.

3. Wyndham Clark (2023): +8500

Just last year, Clark overcame two late bogeys on the 15th and 16th holes thanks to a magnificent par save on the 71st. He followed that up by two-putting from 60 feet on the 72nd hole to stave off 2011 US Open champ McIlroy. Clark’s even-par 70 gave him a four-day accrual of 10-under, handing the Oregon product his first career major championship.

2. Angel Cabrera (2007): +10000

Staged at the infamously difficult Oakmont Country Club, Cabrera claimed his first of two major titles. He displayed incredible shot-making in the final round, generating five birdies that allowed him to bogey two of the final three holes and still win. He won by one stroke over Tiger Woods and the aforementioned Furyk.

1. Lucas Glover (2009): +15000

Amid a rainy four-day stretch at Bethpage Black, Glover overcame a double-bogey on the opening hole en route to defeating Phil Mickelson, David Duval, and Ricky Barnes by two strokes. The weather-delayed event wrapped up on Monday.

Honorable Mention: Michael Campbell (2005) +600 Field Bet

Not even listed on some odds board, the New Zealand-born Campbell emerged as the first Challenge Tour graduate to win a golf major. He accomplished that feat by staving off Tiger Woods at Pinehurst, accruing four birdies and three bogeys in the final round to finish with a one-under-par 69 on Sunday. He surely would have been deep into the triple digits if he were listed on most odds boards.

How To Find The Best Golf Longshots Every Week

Every week at TheLines.com, golf writer John Haslbauer posts which sleepers and longshots he thinks will perform the best after assembling his model with the stats that matter most for the course, whether it’s US Open longshots or any other event on the PGA TOUR.

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Source: Sports Odds History