2022 U.S. Open Friday odds, picks: Proven computer model reveals projected leaderboard, surprising golf projections

The first round of the 2022 U.S. Open is in the books and the challenging setup of The Country Club in Brookline, Mass. has produced a tightly-packed and star-studded leaderboard. Adam Hadwin shot a four-under 66 to take sole possession of the lead but Rory McIlroy (-3), Dustin Johnson (-2) and Jon Rahm (-1) are all former No. 1-ranked players who are within striking distance. McIlroy was the pre-tournament favorite after his win last week at the RBC Canadian Open and he's now the prohibitive 4-1 favorite in the live 2022 U.S. Open odds from Caesars Sportsbook following his opening-round 67.

With three rounds remaining, there are still a lot of opportunities for golf bettors to find value and SportsLine simulated the final three rounds of the 2022 U.S. Open 10,000 times, producing some MAJOR surprises. So before you settle in to watch the final three rounds of the U.S. Open 2022, be sure to see what it has to say.

Our proprietary model, built by DFS pro Mike McClure, has been RED-HOT since the PGA Tour resumed in June of 2020. In fact, the model is up over $9,500 on its best bets since the restart, nailing tournament after tournament.

McClure's model included Justin Thomas in its best bets to win the 2022 PGA Championship. That bet hit at +1600, and for the entire tournament, McClure's best bets returned almost $800. At the 2022 Masters, McClure's model was all over Scottie Scheffler's first career major championship victory heading into the weekend. 

In addition, McClure's best bets included Collin Morikawa winning outright at the 2021 Open Championship, even though he was listed as a massive 40-1 long shot. The model was also all over Jon Rahm's (10-1) first career major championship victory at the 2021 U.S. Open. Rahm was two strokes off the lead heading into the weekend, but the model still projected him as the winner.

One major surprise the model is calling for: McIlroy, the 4-1 favorite at Caesars Sportsbook, stumbles and fails to win his fifth major championship. Another surprise: Will Zalatoris, a 22-1 long shot, makes a strong run at the title. He's a target for anyone looking for a HUGE payday.

Also, the model is targeting two more golfers with odds of 22-1 or longer who will make a surprising run! Anyone who backs these long shots could hit it BIG.

So who wins the 2022 U.S. Open? And which HUGE long shots are a MUST-BACK? ... Join SportsLine right now to see who you can bank on to win the U.S. Open 2022, and see which long shots make a run at the title, all from the model that is up almost $9,500 on PGA picks since the restart!