US Open 2026: Dave Tindall's pick of the specials up to 40/1

Bet 1 - Hole in One - Yes

Perhaps the fact that there's a special for 2+ Holes in One at 3/14.00 should alert us to the fact that we've seen a few in recent US Opens.

There were three at Los Angeles Country Club in 2023, two at Pinehurst in 2024 and one at Oakmont last year.

At Shinnecock, the pars 3s come at 4 (252 yards), 7 (187 yards), 11 (157 yards) and 17 (176 yards). Those are definitely on the short side as a set although windy conditions will make it harder.

But with aces at two of the last thee US Opens at Shinnecock (1995 and 2004) there's enough there to have a punt at odds-against.

Bet 2 - Patrick Reed to bt J.J. Spaun in 72 Hole Matchbet

As defending champion, J.J. Spaun will have plenty of attention on him this week and that's not something this low-key character is used to.

So while he's been in decent form, the Oakmont hero could be vulnerable and I'll take him on with Patrick Reed in a 72-hole pick 'em match bet.

Spaun has missed the cut in both 2026 majors while Reed posted 12th at the US Masters and 10th in the US PGA.

Add in the fact that Reed was fourth here in 2018 while Spaun hasn't made the top 20 in any of his other 11 majors and we have a bet.

Bet 3 - Jon Rahm and Tommy Fleetwood both to Finish in the Top 20 (Incl. Ties)

Rahm's missed cut here in 2018 adds a note of caution but in a variety of weather he's made the top 20 in five of his last US Opens (23rd in the other) and returns to Shinnecock in fine form after second places in both the US PGA and LIV Golf Andalucia last time out.

Fleetwood, of course, finished runner-up at Shinnecock in 2018 thanks to a sparkling final-round 63 and also has fifth and 16th in two of the last three US Opens.

There's a version of this bet with Rahm and Rory McIlroy at 2/13.00 but Fleetwood is a strong performer in the wind so I'll go with the mix of Spaniard and Englishman.

Bet 4 - Wyndham Clark and Sam Burns both to Finish in the Top 20 (Incl. Ties)

Current form is a big thing going to a US Open and this bet combines two home American players in very good nick.

Clark, the US Open winner at LA Country Club in 2021, has five top 20s in his last six starts. That run includes a win at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson and third at Memorial while, given the windy forecast, it's also useful to recall that he was fourth in last summer's Open Championship.

Burns was fourth at Memorial and 20th in Canada last week. Earlier this year he posted tied seventh at the US Masters while top 10s in the last two US Opens suggest he can complete this task.

Bet 5 - Harris English for Top 10 (Incl. Ties)

Across the last three US Opens at Shinnecock only three players have broken par so getting a proven performer in this event is a wise route to take.

Step forward Harris English, whose calm demeanour, guts and skill have helped him finish in the top 10 at three of the last six US Opens - that's a great strike-rate for someone priced at 11/26.50.

He's shown his ability to handle wind with second place in last summer's Open at Royal Portrush while English also has coastal wins at Mayakoba, Kapalua and Torrey Pines. Finally, tied 18th at the US PGA and 17th at Memorial on his last two starts show he's in decent nick form-wise.

Bet 6 - 2018 US Open Shinnecock Repeat: Tommy Fleetwood Top 5 Finish and Justin Rose Top 10 Finish (incl. ties)

The 2025 US Masters: Rory McIlroy 1st, Justin Rose 2nd.
The 2026 US Masters: Rory McIlroy 1st, Justin Rose T3rd

Okay, that's just one year apart but it highlights that repeats do occur and that's the basis of the next two bets.

For evidence of a longer gap, how about the two US PGAs held at Medinah:
1999: Tiger Woods 1st, Sergio Garcia 2nd, Mike Weir T10th
2006: Tiger Woods 1st, Sergio Garcia T3rd, Mike Weir T6th

I'm sure there are others examples but I remember this one as I backed a Woods-Garcia forecast at 50s and just got pipped. Damn you Shaun Micheel (runner-up)!

Rose was tied 10th at Shinnecock in 2018 and has finished third and 10th in the 2026 majors so far.

Bet 7 - 2018 US Open Shinnecock Repeat: Brooks Koepka and Tommy Fleetwood both Top 5 Finish (incl. ties)

Yes, Fleetwood is doing a lot of the heavy lifting in this preview as he features in three of the bets. But a US Open being held in links-type conditions is right up his street as he proved eight years ago.

Koepka withdrew from the Canadian Open due to a hand problem but said it was getting better "day by day" and he should be fine. Anyway, beware the injured golfer and all that.

With six top 20s in the last nine starts he's thereabouts and his putter - the thing clearly holding him back - was working well in Canada before his WD.

In tough, attritional US Open conditions I'm more than happy to have five-time major winner Koepka onside and note that he won at TPC Scottsdale six years apart. Just a top five will do here, thanks.

Read Dave Tindall's First-Round Leader preview here