Scottie Scheffler is the clear favourite to win the 124th U.S. Open. Would you are taking him or the sector?
GolfChannel.com writers are on website at Pinehurst No. 2 with this fast Q&A forward of the lads’s third main of the season.
SCOTTIE OR THE FIELD?
Ryan Lavner: I’ll take the sector, begrudgingly. The best way 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 perfect participant on the planet proper now – profitable by a handful of pictures, just like what Martin Kaymer did right here in 2014. However Pinehurst can 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. At this time, tomorrow and till he exhibits the slightest signal of any weak spot, notably on a course that’s excellent 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 totally different.
Brentley Romine: Scheffler. Far and away the perfect participant within the recreation and taking part in on a course that fits his strengths – sticking strategy pictures and scrambling at a world-class degree when he sometimes misses the mark.
WINNING SCORE?
Lavner: 4 underneath. It feels just like the type of Open through which the first-round rating finally ends up being the profitable complete, or not less than round that quantity. It’s solely going to get hotter, firmer and quicker because the week progresses. Although the USGA has drifted extra towards truthful than foul with its course setup in recent times, and that is an anchor website they desperately need to get proper, among the pins might get dicey come the weekend due to the fiery circumstances. Or so we hope!
Hoggard: 9 underneath. Kaymer’s profitable complete was 9 underneath however that’s deceptive contemplating that second place was eight pictures again. Count on a better end this time round however the No. 2 course stands as much as the trendy recreation with a equally excellent U.S. Open complete.
Romine: 5 underneath. A number of scores within the mid-60s could 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 – nicely, not less than 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 really posted three top-10s in his final 5 main begins. The vast 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 for the time being, 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 arms in golf.
Hoggard: Collin Morikawa. Given his play the previous few weeks it might be a shock if Morikawa isn’t within the dialog late Sunday and after Scheffler, he is perhaps the perfect outfitted for Pinehurst. He ranks 11th this season in strokes gained: tee-to-green and ninth in strokes gained: across the inexperienced, which shall be a key metric on a course that assessments each side of a participant’s recreation.
Romine: There are apparent challengers to Scheffler, corresponding to Xander Schauffele, Rory McIlroy and Collin Morikawa. However listed below are just a few guys you might not be fascinated about that would earn top-10s. Russell Henley finds fairways, hits it shut, is high notch on and across the greens. There aren’t a ton of negatives aside from he’s not lengthy. He’s additionally acquired 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 larger appreciation of the long-lasting Donald Ross design. It’ll play spectacularly nicely for the professionals, a refreshing change of tempo from the type of play that’s so monotonous week-in and week-out on Tour. Choices are an excellent factor! The course is underneath siege due to the space increase, however Pebble nonetheless is the gold customary to me; the situation, the historical past, the stakes all make the occasion really feel larger. However I could change my thoughts by week’s finish right here.
Hoggard: Pinehurst No. 2. This is perhaps recency bias, but it surely’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 significant.
Romine: Merion. Adopted carefully by Pinehurst No. 2 and Shinnecock Hills. Sure, I perceive the logistics of holding the USGA’s greatest championship at little ol’ Merion’s East Course. However there’s a cause 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?
