Matthieu Pavon vs Aaron Rai Prediction: A competitive day-2 encounter ahead

On day 2 of the US Open golf tournament, Matthieu Pavon will play Aaron Rai at Pinehurst No. 2 Golf Course in North Carolina in an 18-hole matchup. The winning odds favor Aaron Rai, but can Pavon prove himself?

French golfer Matthieu Pavon would come into this game as the underdog, but the professional will hope he can deliver here. Currently, the French international plays on the PGA Tour and the European Tour. 

In 2014, Matthieu Pavon turned professional and then secured his first wins in the Open International de Rebetz and Servizitalia Open. However, it was not until 2023 that Pavon won his first European Tour event at the Acciona Open de España. Matthieu Pavon won the Farmers Insurance Open in 2024, becoming the first French golfer to win on the PGA Tour since 1907.

Aaron Rai will come into this game as the favorite, and the American golfer will hope he can secure a win. Currently, the professional plays on the PGA Tour and the European Tour. 

In 2012, Aaron Rai turned professional, and it was not until 2018 that he won his first title, coming in the European Tour, the 2018 Honma Hong Kong Open, and the 2020 Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open. 2017 was a successful season for Aaron Rai, with three wins on the Challenge Tour. In March, he won the Barclays Kenya Open, the Andalucía Costa del Sol Match Play 9, and the Le Vaudreuil Golf Challenge. Up to this stage of the competition, Aaron Rai has six professional title wins, and he will look to add to it.

Experience should be the difference in this game, looking at the two golfers' level of play. While Matthieu Pavon has been a very good golfer, Aaron Rai definitely edges him, looking at what he has achieved over the years. Therefore, while this could be a close game, bet on Aaron Rai to win.