The third major of the year is here. Golf’s ultimate test sees all of the best players in the world descend on Long Island for the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills.

This is a look at the best first-round leader bets to make for the event on DraftKings Sportsbook.

U.S. Open: First Round Leader Picks

The U.S. Open is the third major of the year on the golf calendar. This year, golf’s ultimate test takes place at one of the country’s premier golf venues. Shinnecock Hills should present a great test for the world’s best players. This is a full-field event, with almost every player near the top of the world rankings involved this week. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is looking to complete the Career Grand Slam by winning the U.S. Open. Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele and Cam Young are other top competitors, although LIV players like Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm are not to be ignored either. The defending U.S. Open champion is J.J. Spaun.

Shinnecock Hills is a par-70 course that ranges 7,440 yards. This is a long course, but it won’t just be bombs away for the longest hitters. Long and straight will win out over really long this week. The most important aspect of play at Shinnecock is iron play. That is why the longer drivers of the ball will have an advantage, but hitting the ball to the correct part of the green is the real key to success here.

Tommy Fleetwood FRL (+3300)

This could finally be Tommy Fleetwood’s chance to win his first major championship. Fleetwood broke onto the scene at the U.S. Open in 2017, where he finished in fourth place at Erin Hills. The following year, the U.S. Open was held at Shinnecock Hills. Fleetwood went down to the wire with Brooks Koepka, ultimately losing by one shot after an incredible final round. In 2023, Fleetwood had his third career top-five finish at the U.S. Open at the Los Angeles Country Club. He has an incredible track record at this tournament and at this course. He is deservedly one of the favorites to win this week.

Fleetwood’s form was not great to start the year, but he has found his groove just in time for this U.S. Open. In his last three non-major starts, he finished T-5 at the Truist Championship, T-4 at the Memorial and T-11 at the RBC Canadian Open. Fleetwood ranks fifth on the PGA TOUR in Strokes Gained: Tee to Green. He also ranks second in scrambling from the rough, an essential skill at Shinnecock. Fleetwood is a serious threat to win this week and should come out of the gates firing. That gives him a great chance to lead after the opening round.

Patrick Reed FRL (+4600)

Patrick Reed continues to perform well at major championships. So far this year, he finished T-12 at the Masters and T-10 at the PGA Championship. Last year, he had a solid T-23 finish at the U.S. Open as well. However, Patrick Reed’s best-ever finish at a U.S. Open came here at Shinnecock in 2018, where he finished in fourth place. Reed is currently a player without a home, off the LIV Tour but not yet allowed back on the PGA TOUR. That means these majors are all he has to live for in 2026. So far, Reed has proven that reality is an advantage to him. He should have another good week here at Shinnecock Hills. He can utilize his experience and sharp iron play to be a serious contender, both to win the tournament and lead after the first round.