US Open: Round two betting preview and tips from golf expert Ben Coley
Experience and some form in the wind could be key on day two of the US Open - Ben Coley has two selections.
Recommended bets
2pts Charles Howell III to win his three-ball at 11/8
3pts Martin Kaymer to win his three-ball at 5/6
Howell to beat Homa and Ishikawa
Ryo Ishikawa did well to shoot 72 on day one of the US Open, given a lack of competitive action and the fact he's played so rarely in the USA over the last few years. In doing so, the prolific Japan Golf Tour winner edged this three-ball - but it's unlikely he repeats the trick on Friday.
Winged Foot really didn't bear its teeth during the first round, with humid conditions and receptive greens combining to make life easier than expected for the sport's best players. That's why Justin Thomas was able to break the US Open scoring record here by fully three shots and still only lead by one from Patrick Reed, who managed a hole-in-one.
Such conditions made it easier for Ishikawa to get away with some poor ball-striking numbers but there's a decent wind forecast for Friday, and I expect him to be found out - especially as the USGA could also have their say. Scoring was certainly lower than they'd have liked and these greens have sub-air systems which mean they can be dried out very quickly. At some stage, they will be turned on - and it was notable that Jason Day said after his round that he still expects an over-par winning score.
Back to this three-ball and it's CHARLES HOWELL whose experience and proven wind credentials should make the difference, earning him the vote at almost 6/4.
Howell will need to improve with his approach shots which really were poor for a player of his ability, but all other aspects of his game fired and he's been a strong iron player through the years. His sawn-off swing is ideal for when it does blow and while his generally poor US Open record means expectations cannot be set high, he has made eight cuts in 11 and will fight to enhance that.
It's the toughening of conditions which should be enough for him to reverse the result with Ishikawa, who only had a shot in hand, and Max Homa may still be the bigger threat despite an eight-over 78 in the first round.
Homa has been badly out of form lately and while he drove it well, nothing else fired. He didn't make a single birdie and ended his round in last place among the morning wave, guaranteed to be well outside the top 120 come the day's end and with his hopes of making the cut almost non-existent.
It's asking a lot for him to grind through a difficult, breezy day at Winged Foot when he could soon be playing only for pride. Even if he does put it all in, Howell's experience, superior form in the wind, class and motivation make him a strong fancy.
Kaymer to beat Walker and Augenstein
It was closer than expected but MARTIN KAYMER won this three-ball on Thursday and there's no reason to desert him at a similar price heading into the second round of an event he's won before.
Jimmy Walker produced one of his career-best US Open rounds and still finished a shot behind the German, who has been in superb form. Crucially, Kaymer's iron play has been outstanding of late and this former Dunhill Links, Whistling Straits and KLM Open winner has a strong pedigree when it comes to combating a decent breeze on a difficult layout.
So too does Walker, a former Texas Open champion when conditions were particularly testing, but he just doesn't appear to be playing well enough to be trusted. He actually hit more fairways and more greens than Kaymer in the first round yet still was behind him and that tells us a lot - whereas Kaymer is oozing confidence and able to score even when things aren't perfect, Walker can't score when he does hit the ball reasonably well, and isn't doing that consistently.
Augenstein was well ahead of both in the ball-striking stats and isn't dismissed lightly, but he struggled badly on the greens and things are going to get much more serious. At four-over he's a good round from making the weekend and contesting for top amateur honours but faces the prospect of Winged Foot at something closer to its toughest. Inexperience could cost him.
Posted at 2000 BST on 16/09/20