PGA picks: Day poised to capture 2nd major at U.S. Open

A lush Erin Hills is the venue for the season's second major as the PGA Tour descends on Wisconsin for the 117th U.S. Open this week.

Sergio Garcia's Masters victory made it six consecutive majors that have featured a first-time champion, and a number of players in the field will be vying to make that seven straight this week.

Dustin Johnson defends his title, but the world No. 1 struggled mightily in his last tournament, and at just 7-1 odds, he doesn't have much value as a pick this week.

Here's the players to target on your betting board.

Favorite to watch (odds less than 25-1)

Jason Day

While he's yet to win a U.S. Open, Jason Day has been an absolute star in the PGA Tour's second major over the years. The Australian standout has played in seven U.S. Opens and only finished outside the top 10 once, with two second-place finishes to his name. The wide fairways should help Day keep the ball in play, and he's shown throughout the years that he can post low scores at major championships.

Odds to win: 12-1
Top-5 odds: 5-2

2nd tier (odds greater than 25-1)

Adam Scott

Since bursting onto the PGA Tour in the early 2000s, Adam Scott has cemented himself as one of the best ball-strikers in the world. The only reason he's won just one major is a balky putter, but the pure greens at Erin Hills should help him immensely. Scott enters play in fine form off a 10th-place showing last week at the FedEx St. Jude Classic and should be in contention with just an average week on the putting surfaces.

Odds to win: 30-1
Top-5 odds: 5-1

Long shot (odds greater than 50-1)

Bubba Watson

It's been a trying year for Bubba Watson, but getting one of the best drivers in the world at 66-1 with super-wide fairways is a steal. Watson has struggled in the U.S. Open throughout his entire career, posting just one top-5 finish in 10 starts, but Erin Hills' forgiving fairways might be exactly what he needs to reverse those fortunes. Watson's mental game can be an issue on the difficult tracks at the U.S. Open, but his talent at 66-1 is too good to pass up.

Odds to win: 66-1
Top-5 odds: 10-1

Super long shot (odds greater than 80-1)

Byeong-Hun An

If you have an affinity for elite ball-strikers, there's not many players better to watch than Byeong-Hun An. The South Korean ranks 15th on Tour in strokes gained: tee-to-green, and has yet to miss a cut all season. He enters play Thursday with three straight top-25 finishes, including two top-10s, and is a bargain at 100-1. Much like Scott, the pure greens at Erin Hills should help him with the worst part of his game and keep him in contention this weekend.

Odds to win: 100-1
Top-5 odds: 16-1

Hit this bet, buy a car (odds greater than 175-1)

Jamie Lovemark

Jamie Lovemark has found a rich vein of form recently, coming into the U.S. Open with two straight top-10 showings. He was in contention to win at the Memorial before a final-round 73 left him in 10th. Lovemark drives the ball as deep as anyone on Tour and should benefit greatly from the generous fairways. With seven straight cuts made, it's a safe bet Lovemark makes the weekend at Erin Hills, and at 250-1 he's definitely worth a couple bucks.

Odds to win: 250-1
Top-5 odds: 33-1

Last week's picks

Adam Scott: T-10
Kevin Chappell: T-4
Ian Poulter: T-31
Bryson DeChambeau: MC
Roberto Castro: T-65

Season record (through 22 events)

Wins: 4
Top 5: 19

(Odds courtesy: Bodog)
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)