Scottie Scheffler is the clear favourite to win the 124th U.S. Open. Would you are taking him or the sphere?
GolfChannel.com writers are on website at Pinehurst No. 2 with this fast Q&A forward of the boys’s third main of the season.
SCOTTIE OR THE FIELD?
Ryan Lavner: I’ll take the sphere, begrudgingly. The way in which he’s taking part in, and the best way Pinehurst calls for exact iron play and nifty scrambling, it’s simple to see Scheffler – by FAR the most effective participant on the planet proper now – successful by a handful of pictures, just like what Martin Kaymer did right here in 2014. However Pinehurst can also be such a novel venue, with among the randomness of the bounces and the roll-outs and the wiregrass within the sandy areas, that it wouldn’t shock if Scheffler is a pair pictures adrift on the finish of the week simply due to sheer luck. How’s that for a hedge?
Rex Hoggard: Scottie Scheffler. Immediately, tomorrow and till he reveals the slightest signal of any weak point, notably on a course that’s good for his chic mix of ball-striking and clutch quick recreation. In 2014 when Martin Kaymer gained the U.S. Open at Pinehurst, the No. 2 course ranked first that season in greens-in-regulation bias due to how troublesome it was to scramble. This championship ought to be no completely different.
Brentley Romine: Scheffler. Far and away the most effective participant within the recreation and taking part in on a course that fits his strengths – sticking strategy pictures and scrambling at a world-class stage when he sometimes misses the mark.
WINNING SCORE?
Lavner: 4 beneath. It feels just like the form of Open through which the first-round rating finally ends up being the successful complete, or at the least round that quantity. It’s solely going to get hotter, firmer and sooner because the week progresses. Although the USGA has drifted extra towards honest than foul with its course setup in recent times, and that is an anchor website they desperately need to get proper, among the pins may get dicey come the weekend due to the fiery circumstances. Or so we hope!
Hoggard: 9 beneath. Kaymer’s successful complete was 9 beneath however that’s deceptive contemplating that second place was eight pictures again. Count on a more in-depth end this time round however the No. 2 course stands as much as the fashionable recreation with a equally good U.S. Open complete.
Romine: 5 beneath. A couple of scores within the mid-60s might pop up early, however with little to no rain anticipated, the USGA goes to let Pinehurst get as agency and quick because the gamers can deal with – properly, at the least a few of them.
KEEP AN EYE ON …
Lavner: Cameron Smith. Keep in mind him? Although it appears as if he’s gone quiet on the world stage since his 2022 Open victory (and ensuing transfer to LIV), he’s truly posted three top-10s in his final 5 main begins. The large corridors off the tee and short-game calls for off the tightly mown Bermuda ought to play into his favor, even when his kind is barely off in the mean time, with a final-round 80 final week in Houston and a tie for 63th final month on the PGA. He nonetheless has among the greatest palms in golf.
Hoggard: Collin Morikawa. Given his play the previous few weeks it could be a shock if Morikawa isn’t within the dialog late Sunday and after Scheffler, he may be the most effective outfitted for Pinehurst. He ranks 11th this season in strokes gained: tee-to-green and ninth in strokes gained: across the inexperienced, which can be a key metric on a course that exams each side of a participant’s recreation.
Romine: There are apparent challengers to Scheffler, similar to Xander Schauffele, Rory McIlroy and Collin Morikawa. However listed here are just a few guys you might not be fascinated by that might earn top-10s. Russell Henley finds fairways, hits it shut, is prime notch on and across the greens. There aren’t a ton of negatives apart from he’s not lengthy. He’s additionally obtained a pair of top-15s in his final three U.S. Open begins. Additionally don’t be shocked if one – or all three – of Victor Perez, Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Aaron Rai contend.
FAVORITE U.S. OPEN COURSE?
Lavner: Pebble Seaside. Had the chance to play Pinehurst No. 2 for the media day final month, and I walked away with a better appreciation of the long-lasting Donald Ross design. It’ll play spectacularly properly for the professionals, a refreshing change of tempo from the fashion of play that’s so monotonous week-in and week-out on Tour. Choices are factor! The course is beneath siege due to the space increase, however Pebble nonetheless is the gold customary to me; the placement, the historical past, the stakes all make the occasion really feel larger. However I’ll change my thoughts by week’s finish right here.
Hoggard: Pinehurst No. 2. This may be recency bias, nevertheless it’s troublesome to discover a fault with the Donald Ross gem. This week’s agency and quick circumstances will add the one diploma of problem that challenges the sport’s greatest gamers and as an anchor venue, the course has all of the logistic necessities to host a serious.
Romine: Merion. Adopted intently by Pinehurst No. 2 and Shinnecock Hills. Sure, I perceive the logistics of holding the USGA’s largest championship at little ol’ Merion’s East Course. However there’s a purpose the USGA will come again in 2030, 2040 and 2050. Some nice moments with Bob Jones, Ben Hogan, and Lee Trevino and Jack Nicklaus. And who doesn’t love the wicker baskets?
