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14th Sep 2020 | US Open

US Open: Taylor Pendrith

One of the most exciting talents on the Korn Ferry Tour, he has the ability to make an immediate impact at the top level. Finished like a train on Sunday with 10 birdies in 14 holes.

In a time when it’s easy to forget what it means to be human anymore, the US Open provides valuable succour. Positioned at the start (or is it the end!?!) of the PGA Tour season it remains to be seen what impact the schedule will have, but I might have an edge.

Usually when you are scouring the bottom of the market for a golf major you are left with veteran has-beens there on past champion status, or a random PGA Professional. This week you can back a golfer at 600/1 who I believe has the potential to be a top-20 player in the world, in fact he’s already up to 157.

Regular readers will know I’m a huge fan of Taylor Pendrith and he’s got the game to mix it with the best. He’s very long off the tee, is a good putter and has a very good (and often under appreciated) short game.

He earned his place in this event via a mini money-list on the Korn Ferry Tour and it was well deserved. In his last 10 starts, he’s made every cut, has four top-3 finishes and a further four top-25s. Even when not quite on his game he is registering good finishes - the sign of a good golfer.

He’ll make it on the PGA Tour next season and will do well, the question is can he cause a shock now? He reminds me of Trey Mullinax and Xander Schauffele who both registered top-10 finishes at the US Open in 2017, both were ranked 350+ in the world but had shown ability at a lower level.

At 600/1, with Skybet paying 11 places at 1/5 odds he therefore rates as a lively outsider especially after firing 10 birdies in his last 14 holes at the Evans Scholar Invitational at the weekend. Available also at 200/1 in the first round leader market, now is the time to roll the dice.

Odds correct at time of publishing: 18:41 14th Sep, 2020 but subject to change