With his long time nemesis, Tiger Woods, sitting on the sidelines, punters have launched a huge betting plunge on Phil Mickelson for the US Open backing the five times runner up into joint favourite at $13.
Sportingbet Australia CEO Michael Sullivan said Mickelson had been backed from $16 to $13 and would take out over $1m if he won his first US Open after being the bridesmaid so often in the past.
“The plunge started with a bet of $10,000 at $16 on Tuesday and then we took a bet of $40,000 each way at $15 on Wednesday and the money has just kept coming,” Sullivan said.
“Having finished runner up five times, you would think his chances of winning the US Open would be just about gone and this looks like his best chance of finally adding one to the trophy cabinet.
“With Tiger on the sidelines, Mickelson will be the big draw card this year and punters have no doubt he is the man to beat.”
Mickelson is joint favourite with Lee Westwood at $13 but Sullivan said away from Mickelson, punters were looking for a little value.
“We have taken bets to win $50,000 on Rory McIlroy at $21, Steve Stricker at $26 and Martin Kaymer at $29,” he said.
“There has also been good money for K.J. Choi and Hunter Mahan.”
Sullivan said the best backed of the Australians had been rising star Jason Day and the experienced Robert Allenby.
“Day is the shortest of the Aussies at $41 along with Adam Scott and he has been well supported while Robert Allenby has been backed from $126 to $101 with one bet to win $37,500,” he said.
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US Open – Outright Winner
Sportingbet Australia odds
Phil Mickelson 13.00
Lee Westwood 13.00
Luke Donald 14.00
Rory McIlroy 19.00
Hunter Mahan 23.00
Steve Stricker 23.00
Dustin Johnson 26.00
Martin Kaymer 26.00
Matt Kuchar 29.00
Nick Watney 29.00
K.J. Choi 31.00
Jason Day 41.00
Adam Scott 41.00
Bubba Watson 41.00
