US Open 2023: Bryan Nicholson is interested in three new players at the halfway stage

You can do all the research you want, but if you don’t know the course very well then it might not play to perceived expectations. 

That is the main takeaway from the first couple of day’s play at the US Open, which saw two of the lowest rounds in US Open history. Bemusingly, there were no rounds in the 80s on the first day, and a scoring average of 71.38 was the lowest ever in the US Open. The predicted fast and fiery conditions and troublesome rough didn’t really come to fruition.

The late starters had a one-or-two club wind to tend with on Thursday evening and it was much the same for the reverse section on Friday as the wind got up. The likes of Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy got out early yesterday and had a chance to go deep despite a bit of breeze in the air, even though greens were double-mowed, pin positions were toughened, and some tee boxes were pushed back. DJ started terribly with a quadruple bogey early but fought his way back to remain in contention at -6. 

Thursday saw a couple of aces on the short par four 15th, which demonstrated the different probabilities of this happening on par three holes with certain dynamics and of varying lengths. Matt Fitzpatrick added another on Friday, and there’s a strong possibility that we will see a couple more over the weekend.

There wasn’t too much movement on the leaderboard on Friday as Rickie Fowler shot 68 to lengthen his lead. Xander Schauffele remained in contention with a round of even-par, while the group at +3 down the other end of the leaderboard almost scraped through the cut but ultimately fell. My best bet at the start of the tournament, Jordan Spieth, was unfortunately among that group. 

Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy and Wyndham Clark both shot -3 under to move into the top echelon of players. McIlroy looks a lot more focused than many anticipated this week and is favourite moving into the weekend.

Where does the value lie at the halfway stage?

The players who are impressing me most after two days are Rickie Fowler (4.7) and Rory McIlroy (4.2), but who could challenge from a little off the pace? 

Dustin Johnston showed mental fortitude to fight back in his second round, while Harris English (29 to win, 3 to finish top five) looks to be injury free and lurks on -7.

However, Cameron Smith (29 to win, 3.75 to finish top five) and Min Woo Lee (28 to win, 3.35 to finish top five) are standing out for me as the value plays. These two Aussies are tasty prices to hit a place and will love the weekend conditions and course set-up. LA Country Club is a track where an off-the-pace winner might emerge on Sunday.

US Open 2023 In-Running Bets

Harris English @ 29 (to win), 3 (to finish top five)
Min Woo Lee @ 28 (to win), 3.35 (to finish top five)
Cameron Smith @ 29 (to win), 3.75 (to finish top five)