Steve Palmer's US Open specials predictions & free golf tips

Where to watch

Sky Sports Golf, 12.30pm Thursday

Best bets

Collin Morikawa & Xander Schauffele dual forecast
1pt 175-1 Sky Bet

Webb Simpson top former winner
1pt each-way 11-2 bet365

Takumi Kanaya top amateur
1pt each-way 4-1 general

Alex Noren top Scandinavian
1pt each-way 3-1general

Thomas Pieters top Belgian
1pt 7-10 bet365

US Open specials

A cool head may be the most important attribute a US Open competitor can have this week - 72 holes along the treacherous terrain of Winged Foot is a serious examination of the grey matter - and two Californians who are blessed with a magnificent temperament could end the week atop the leaderboard.

Collin Morikawa, 23, and Xander Schauffele, 26, have old heads on their young shoulders, able to take the rough with the smooth and deal with adversity well. Given how consistently impressive the pair have been post-lockdown, a dual-forecast investment is recommended, with Betfair, Betway, Coral, Ladbrokes, Paddy Power and Sky Bet offering odds.

Webb Simpson, another calm character who can grind out pars, should also thrive, and the 2012 US Open victor can be supported in the top former winner market - for which Dustin Johnson is dominating the betting. Simpson, who has become a razor-sharp operator with wedges and putter, is equipped to handle the short-game rigours of Winged Foot and looks the value option in this section.

Alex Noren, who has been effective on and around the greens for most of his career, can be fancied for top Scandinavian honours. The Swede, boasting PGA Tour form figures of 3-9-22-8-40, can get the better of Viktor Hovland, Henrik Stenson, Rasmus Hojgaard and Sami Valimaki.

Thomas Detry, who has shown a vulnerability under pressure on the European Tour, seems likely to be overwhelmed by the occasion and the course on his Major debut. Thomas Pieters, impressive at Celtic Manor on his return to action and a seasoned Major performer, should be much shorter than 7-10 for top Belgian honours.

Takumi Kanaya, the world's number one amateur player and winner of the Taiheiyo Masters on the Japan Tour last year, is a worthy favourite for top amateur honours.

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