Michael Thorbjornsen Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

The amateur with the best odds to win the U.S. Open

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 6/14/23

The golf world got an injection of happiness ahead of the U.S. Open when it was revealed that amateur Michael Brennan would practice with veteran Rickie Fowler, just a little over a decade after he dressed as Fowler for Halloween. Will practicing with his hero before the major event at Los Angeles Country Club have an impact on his odds to win the event?

There are 19 amateurs in the U.S. Open field this year, and just like their seasoned opponents, they are fair game to wager on. Of course, these fresh-faced fellows aren't priced like pros such as Scottie Scheffler or Jon Rahm, but their performances can be wagered on nonetheless.

Which amateurs have the shortest of very long odds to win the U.S. Open?

2012: Dresses up like Rickie Fowler for Halloween
2023: Tees it up with Rickie Fowler at U.S. Open

Michael Brennan lives out a dream playing a practice round foreshadowed years ago by a message from @RickieFowler. pic.twitter.com/xchPvyOFFT
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 14, 2023

At DraftKings, Stanford product Michael Thorbjornsen is the amateur with the best odds. Thorbjornsen qualified for his third U.S. Open, which surely plays a part in him being the best-priced amateur. Even so, he's still listed as a 600-1 long shot to win at LACC this weekend.

As for Brennan? The 21-year-old and a handful of other amateurs are all listed at 2500-1 ahead of opening tee times on Thursday, but at least he can bond with Fowler over being a long shot to win the third major of the season, as his hero is priced at 45-1 at DK as of Wednesday.

The U.S. Open tees off on Thursday at 9:45 a.m. EST.

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