Dustin Johnson is the consensus favorite to win the U.S. Open, but bettors have been flocking to Rickie Fowler this week at Las Vegas sportsbooks.
At the Westgate SuperBook, Johnson is 9-1 to win this week at Shinnecock Hills. Justin Rose is the second-favorite at 12-1, followed by Fowler, Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas, who are each listed at 14-1.
As of Tuesday afternoon, more bets had been placed and more money had been wagered on Fowler to win the U.S. Open than on any other golfer at the Westgate. Caesars Palace and CG Technology sportsbooks. Fowler had attracted 30 percent more money than any other golfer at the Westgate, including a $3,000 bet at 14-1, the largest wager the book had taken on its odds to win the tournament as of Tuesday.
Fowler is looking for his first major championship, but he has contended frequently. He finished second to Patrick Reed at this year's Masters and also has second-place finishes in 2014 at the U.S. Open and The Open.
"They've been betting (Fowler) every major the last few years," Westgate assistant manager Jeff Sherman, a golf odds specialist, said. "He's been close many times, so people feel like he's ready to break through."
Johnson emerged as the solo favorite after his impressive 6-shot victory last week at the St. Jude Classic. He had been a co-favorite with McIlroy and Jordan Spieth before shooting up the odds board.
"Last week, he looked so dominant and really separated himself," Sherman said.
Tiger Woods is 20-1 and was generating betting support. He had third-most tickets, behind Fowler and Rose, at the SuperBook, and had attracted the fourth-most money. Woods is a -400 favorite to make the cut.
"This first time in a long time not having a liability on Tiger," Sherman said. "He was our biggest liability for the Masters."
Phil Mickelson, at 25-1, is fifth in number of bets and money wagered, including a $1,600 wager when he was 30-1 at the SuperBook.
Jason Day is 15-1, followed by Spieth and Jon Rahm, who are each 18-1. Defending U.S. Open champion Brooks Koepka is 25-1, and Reed, the Masters champion, is 40-1.
The over/under on the projected winning score is 275.5, 4.5 under par.