
The US Open rarely asks the same questions as the other majors, and that is what makes it such a fascinating betting event. Four times a year, the best golfers gather, but only this championship consistently strips things back to survival, decision-making and execution under pressure.
Shinnecock Hills returns to the rota with an established reputation and little need for introduction. Exposed to the wind and shaped by natural movement across the property, it remains one of the few venues where players can appear in control one moment and spend the next trying simply to limit the damage.
There is a perception that the US Open rewards brute force above all else, yet Shinnecock has repeatedly shown the picture is more complicated. The fairways are not especially narrow, but finding the correct side of them is crucial. Distance helps, though approach play becomes decisive once players reach greens that are among the most demanding in championship golf.
Those surfaces dictate everything. Contours, run-offs and awkward recovery areas mean players are constantly asked to think one shot ahead. Hitting greens alone is rarely enough, and scrambling becomes just as valuable as ball striking.
That balance tends to bring quality to the surface. Previous editions here have produced leaderboards filled with familiar names and players already performing at a high level. For punters, that creates an interesting challenge, as we must identify which world-class player arrives with the sharpest long game and the temperament to handle a course that rarely offers second chances.
Golf tipster Ben Smith has made four selections with BetMGM, one of the leading golf betting sites.
Tyrrell Hatton now looks like a player whose first major might not be far away and this setup gives him another excellent opportunity.
His season has already produced plenty of encouraging signs, but the biggest came recently when he collected the title at Valderrama. That venue asks different questions to Shinnecock, yet both reward control into the greens, patience and the ability to recover when opportunities disappear.
Hatton has also shown on many occasions that tough, exposed courses bring out some of his best golf. His record on links terrain speaks for itself and that translates neatly to a US Open venue where creativity around the putting surfaces matters almost as much as long-game quality.
There is previous evidence here too. He finished inside the top 10 when Shinnecock last hosted despite arriving with little form, and since then his major record has moved on considerably. Add recent contention at Augusta and last year's near-miss in this championship and his profile is difficult to ignore.
Chris Gotterup is beginning to make more and more sense in these bigger events.
The obvious asset is the power, but what has turned him from an interesting prospect into a genuine contender is everything around it beginning to catch up. He is creating more chances with his irons, looks more comfortable playing from the front and no longer appears surprised to see his name alongside elite players.
His major record is trending nicely too. Results over the last year suggest he is adapting quickly to championship golf and the step up in class is becoming less of a barrier than an opportunity.
The timing could be ideal. Two victories already this season have changed expectations and shown he can close tournaments rather than simply feature for a few days.
This event has a habit of producing first-time major winners and Gotterup arrives looking closer to that level than the market perhaps realises.
Maverick McNealy appeals for slightly different reasons to the previous two selections.
He is not arriving with the same level of hype, but there has been a noticeable shift in how often he puts himself into meaningful tournaments. The breakthrough win is behind him now and his results since suggest a player growing more comfortable competing against stronger fields.
There has always been plenty of talent there, yet lately his game looks more rounded. His work around the greens is among the better in this field and he continues to gain shots with the putter, which can be an underrated combination in a US Open.
There is still less evidence at this level than some others in the field, but his recent performances suggest progress is being made. Two solid results already this season hint that he may be ready to carry his regular level into one of golf's biggest weeks.
Cameron Smith still feels easy to overlook given how quiet the last few seasons have been, but there are signs the level is returning. The T7 at the PGA Championship was his best major effort in some time and there are few players in this range with a stronger record on golf's biggest stages.
He remains one of the best short-game players in the field and if scoring proves difficult, his ability to save pars and stay composed could make him dangerous at a big price.
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