US Open Golf 2023: Predictions for Top Prize Money Before Opening Round
Over the next four days, some of the best golfers in the world will be competing in the 123rd U.S. Open. Not only is the tournament the third major of the 2023 season—following the Masters and the PGA Championship—but it also features one of the biggest prize pools in the sport.
In all, $17.5 million will be awarded after the final round, with the winner taking home a whopping $3.15 million.
The list of contenders includes Masters winner Jon Rahm, PGA champion Brooks Koepka and midweek favorite Scottie Scheffler, who has played some of the most consistent golf of the season.
While the talent looms large, so does the challenge of the Los Angeles Country Club North Course. It features an intriguing layout, one that many of the top contenders have never seen.
Fans should be in for a thrilling weekend, as some of the game's best learn on the fly and chase the money. Let's take a look at what fans can expect and make a few predictions.
2023 US Open Information
When: June 15-18
Where: Los Angeles Country Club
Prize Pool: $20 million ($3.6 million to winner)
TV Schedule
Thursday: 1-8 p.m. ET (USA), 8-11 p.m. ET (NBC)
Friday: 1-8 p.m. ET (USA); 8-11 p.m. ET (NBC)
Saturday: 1-11 p.m. ET (NBC)
Sunday: 1-10 p.m. ET (NBC)
Live Stream: Peacock, USOpen.com, NBCSports.com, NBC Sports app
Prize Pool: $20 million
1st Place: $3.6 million
2nd Place: $2.18 million
3rd Place: $1.38 Million
4th Place: $980,000
5th Place: $820,000
Opening-Round Favorites
Scottie Scheffler 6-1
Jon Rahm 9-1
Brooks Koepka 12-1
Rory McIlroy 16-1
Patrick Cantlay 16-1
Xander Schauffele 18-1
Viktor Hovland 18-1
Tyrrell Hatton 28-1
Jordan Spieth 30-1
Collin Morikawa 30-1
Cameron Smith 30-1
Max Homa 35-1
Matt Fitzpatrick 35-1
Dustin Johnson 35-1
*Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook
Preview and Predictions
In a vacuum, the North Course doesn't come across as particularly difficult. It's not an especially long course and features five par-3 holes—the tournament typically only features four.
However, the landscape at Los Angeles Country Club will likely make for some challenging holes. Rolling greens will test the competitors' short game, while fast fairways could cause hazards to become a problem.
"The defense of the course has to be firm, dry surfaces that play like a British links and cause balls to roll and drift into bunkers, awkward stances or moderate rough (also Tifway II and Bandera Bermuda) that will impact distance control into the firm, bent grass greens (they are Pure Distinction bent)," Derek Duncan of Golf Digest wrote.
Familiarity with the course could provide a distinct advantage. The problem is that most golfers had never even seen the North Course coming into the week.
Max Homa grew up in California and holds the course record, while Scheffler and Collin Morikawa played there during the 2017 Walker Cup. However, golfers such as Rory McIlroy had only seen the course through video before arriving for the tournament.
"I know the look of the course and the topography a little bit and sort of what to expect," McIlroy told reporters. "But you don't get a real grasp of it until you're actually out there and your feet are on the ground."
Fans should expect some early struggles as golfers adjust to the course, with scores getting progressively lower as the weekend unfolds. This should make for an interesting dynamic, as a mid-tournament lead may not be safe from a contender who "figures it out."
Homa's experience at Los Angeles Country Club gives him an edge, and it would be a shock if the 32-year-old doesn't finish in the top 10.
The same can be said for Scheffler, who played here as an amateur, holds the No. 1 spot in the world golf rankings and excels on par-3 holes.
Rahm, Homa and Scheffler ranked first, second and fifth in Par-3 performance, according to PGATour.com.
However, it's hard to pick against Koepka in a four-day tournament, even if he doesn't know the course. He has been on a fantastic run, one that includes a second-place finish (tied) at the Masters and a win at the PGA Championship.
Since the beginning of April, the 33-year-old hasn't finished lower than 12th in a tournament. He also shines at the U.S. Open, boasting two victories and three other top-five finishes at the event.
Koepka is extremely focused on winning his second major of the season and sixth overall.
"I'm pretty sure I know what it takes to compete in majors," he told reporters. "I've won five of them and been second four times. And just over my track record how to prepare when you're here, how to prepare when you're home for it, I've got that, I guess, on lock."
Expect Keopka to be playing for the win on Sunday.
Early Top-Five Predictions
1. Brooks Koepka
2. Scottie Scheffler
3. Xander Schauffele
4. Max Homa
5. Jon Rahm
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