FREE 06/12 PGA Cheat Sheet: Top U.S. Open Plays

Oakmont Country Club hosts the U.S. Open this week, a course renowned for its difficulty. With 152 golfers in the field and an average salary of $6,339, roster construction will be crucial. The combination of thick rough, deep bunkers, and undulating greens demands precision, placing a premium on total driving and approach play. Past U.S. Opens at Oakmont suggest a winning score around even par, rewarding players who minimize mistakes and excel on Eastern Poa Annua greens.

Three golfers are projected to be highly owned (20%+), potentially limiting lineup differentiation. The absence of strong value plays further complicates the process. Prioritizing accurate drivers and adept scramblers around the green may prove to be a winning strategy. Let’s dive into our top plays for this slate.

Premium Plays ($10,000+)

Top Play: Scottie Scheffler ($14,400)

Scottie Scheffler comes into the U.S. Open as a top DFS recommendation based on recent performance and statistical profile. Scheffler won the Memorial Tournament in his most recent start, leading the field in SG: Tee-to-Green. He also finished in a share of fourth place at the Charles Schwab Challenge the week prior. His make-cut percentage of 87.9% provides a solid foundation for DFS lineups, and his value of 5.25x indicates potential for exceeding salary expectations.

Scheffler has a projected ownership of 34.3%, significantly higher than the field average, reflecting confidence in his ability to contend. While his tournament rank is 93, his recent win at a difficult Muirfield Village course suggests he is well-prepared for the challenges of the U.S. Open. Scheffler’s consistent performance and ability to gain strokes tee-to-green make him a strong option for DFS lineups aiming for a high ceiling.

Other Premium Options

• Bryson DeChambeau ($11,000, MakeCut: 85.9%, Own: 29.2%)
• Rory McIlroy ($12,400, MakeCut: 79.9%, Own: 17.9%)

Mid-Range Plays ($8,000-$9,999)

Top Play: Collin Morikawa ($9,800)

Collin Morikawa enters the U.S. Open as a top recommendation given his overall profile. Morikawa finished tied for 20th at the Memorial Tournament, highlighted by an opening round of 67 and a closing round of 71. Prior to that, Morikawa tied for 17th at the Truist Championship, demonstrating consistent play leading into this major. His make-cut percentage of 79.3% provides stability, and his value of 6.02 indicates a solid return on investment at his $9800 salary.

Morikawa has been a consistently popular DFS option, reflected in his optimal lineup percentage of 12.0%. Although projected ownership is high at 15.7%, significantly above the field average, this reflects confidence in his ability to perform well. Morikawa’s statistical profile, combined with his recent performance, makes him a strong candidate to contend at the U.S. Open.

Other Mid-Range Options

• Joaquin Niemann ($8,600, MakeCut: 77.0%, Own: 15.9%)
• Tommy Fleetwood ($8,800, MakeCut: 73.7%, Own: 14.6%)

Value Plays ($7,000-$7,999)

First Value Play: Sepp Straka ($7,700)

Sepp Straka at $7700 presents a compelling option for U.S. Open lineups. Straka has been performing well, demonstrated by his Tournament Rank of 2. He closed with a two-under 70 to finish in solo third place at the Memorial Tournament, leading the field in SG: Off-the-Tee and finishing third in SG: Putting. This recent performance underscores his ability to contend in challenging conditions, crucial for success at the U.S. Open.

Straka’s statistics further support his viability. His make-cut percentage of 70.01% offers a degree of safety. The Optimal% of 18.3% suggests he has a strong chance of being in winning lineups. Straka also won the Truist Championship recently, firing a final round two-under 68 to claim victory. While his ownership is relatively high at 17.24%, his Value of 7.16x indicates potential for exceeding salary expectations.

Second Value Play: Shane Lowry ($7,800)

Shane Lowry presents a compelling option for the U.S. Open, especially considering his salary of $7,800. Lowry continues to demonstrate a solid ability to make cuts, evidenced by his 72.91% make cut rate. His recent T13 finish at the RBC Canadian Open showcased his ball-striking prowess, ranking third in SG: Approach. His overall tournament rank is 13th, further solidifying his potential for a strong performance.

Lowry’s value sits at 7.15x with an optimal lineup percentage of 14.6%. While projected ownership is relatively high at 18.48%, significantly above the field average, this reflects the perception of his strong cash rank of 1. Recent struggles with Sunday rounds, such as the Memorial Tournament, highlight an area for potential improvement, yet his demonstrated ability to contend positions him well for success at Oakmont.

Other Value Options

• Corey Conners ($7,300, MakeCut: 71.9%, Own: 15.7%)
• Russell Henley ($7,400, MakeCut: 66.5%, Own: 11.1%)

Good luck! Make sure to check the Lineup Optimizer for latest updates before lock. Visit DFS Hero for our full suite of DFS tools including the Lineup Optimizer, Contest Simulator, Player Projections, and Ownership Projections. Use code HEROPLAY15 to get 15% off your first month!