Recent off a victory Sunday on the Memorial Event, Scottie Scheffler headlines the sphere for the yr’s third main, the 124th U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2.
Scheffler, understandably, is the favourite to win his third profession main, second of the season and sixth total title this yr. However how does everybody else on this 156-player subject stack up behind Scheffler?
First, let’s have a look at the golf course and what statistics could possibly be most telling.
It’s no secret that Pinehurst is likely one of the stiffer U.S. Open exams; earlier than Martin Kaymer’s 9-under profitable rating in 2014, the earlier two winners right here shot even par and 1 below. The turtle-back greens are the largest protection, so strategy play and proximity to the outlet determine to be necessary, as is size off the tee. But it surely’s additionally value nothing that the final two champions at Pinehurst ranked outdoors the highest 10 in greens in regulation for the week.
With gamers sure to overlook extra greens than their season averages, scrambling shall be paramount, notably from 10-plus yards away as there are runoffs on a number of holes which might be designed to hold balls away from greens.
All that stated, the recipe with U.S. Opens is straightforward: Make plenty of pars, and don’t compound errors.
With little to no rain within the forecast and highs within the 90s, the USGA will be capable of management how agency and quick they need Pinehurst to play. If historical past tells us something, anticipate the profitable rating nearer to even par than 10 below.
Yet one more factor: Don’t put an excessive amount of inventory in what occurred final week on the Memorial, as Muirfield Village is a a lot completely different problem than Pinehurst.
Now, let’s get to the participant rankings, together with extra detailed evaluation for the highest 100:
Nos. 141-156
156. Bryan Kim
155. Parker Bell (a)
154. Gunnar Broin(a)
153. Otto Black
152. Charles Reiter
151. Robert Rock
150. Chris Petefish
149. Carson Schaake
148. Edoardo Molinari
147. Chris Naegel
146. Colin Prater (a)
145. Wells Williams (a)
144. Michael McGowan
143. Omar Morales (a)
142. Logan McAllister
141. Casey Jarvis
Nos. 121-140
140. Sung Kang
139. Andrew Svoboda
138. Ashton McCulloch (a)
137. Brandon Robinson Thompson
136. Jim Herman
135. Brendan Valdes (a)
134. Joey Vrzich
133. Ryo Ishikawa
132. Frederik Kjettrup
131. John Chin
130. Neal Shipley (a)
129. Jason Scrivener
128. Riki Kawamoto
127. Santiago De la Fuente (a)
126. Maxwell Moldovan
125. Francesco Molinari
124. Jackson Buchanan (a)
123. Stewart Hagestad (a)
122. Carter Jenkins
121. Taisei Shimizu
Nos. 101-120
120. Willie Mack III
119. Phil Mickelson
118. Hiroshi Tai (a)
117. Eugenio Lopez Chacarra
116. Grant Forrest
115. Isaiah Salinda
114. Sam Bennett
113. Ben James (a)
112. Brian Campbell
111. Martin Kaymer
110. Peter Malnati
109. Rikuya Hoshino
108. Takumi Kanaya
107. Matteo Manassero
106. Sam Bairstow
105. Matthieu Pavon
104. Richard Mansell
103. Brendon Todd
102. Cam Davis
101. Tim Widing
GREER, SOUTH CAROLINA – JUNE 07: Harry Higgs of the USA performs his shot from the seventeenth gap in the course of the second spherical of the BMW Charity Professional-Am introduced by TD SYNNEX at Thornblade Membership on June 07, 2024 in Greer, South Carolina. (Photograph by Brennan Asplen/Getty Photographs)
Nos. 91-100
100. Ben Kohles
99. Eric Cole
98. Brandon Wu
97. Gary Woodland
96. Nico Echavarria
95. Zac Blair
94. Harry Higgs
93. Emiliano Grillo
92. Nick Dunlap
91. Nicolai Hojgaard
Kohles hasn’t finished a lot since his runner-up on the Nelson. … Cole has struggled tee to inexperienced this yr and has missed 4 of his previous 5 cuts. … Wu was the stroke-play medalist on the 2019 U.S. Novice at Pinehurst earlier than shedding within the first spherical. … Woodland is slowly beginning to choose issues up with 4 straight made cuts. … Three straight MCs for Echavarria, however sneaky good quick recreation. … Blair doesn’t have the size (final on Tour in driving distance), however he is aware of methods to play these traditional exams. … Higgs is enjoying a few of his greatest golf once more after back-to-back KFT wins after which a playoff success at last qualifying in Durham. … Grillo above common in strokes gained strategy and proximity. … Dunlap has struggled mightily as a professional, but when he’s on, his skillset is constructed for USGA exams. Additionally received final summer time’s North and South Novice. … Hojgaard is high 25 in driving distance and high 50 in strategy proximity. Ball-striking alone will give him a shot at weekend, however he’s not completed higher than T-35 since Masters.
LOUISVILLE, KY – MAY 17: Tiger Woods (USA) appears to be like on on the twelfth gap in the course of the second spherical of the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Membership on Could 17, 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photograph by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photographs)
Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photographs
Nos. 81-90
90. Rico Hoey
89. Gordon Sargent (a)
88. Tiger Woods
87. Tom McKibbin
86. Nick Taylor
85. Rickie Fowler
84. S.H. Kim
83. Adam Schenk
82. Chesson Hadley
81. Matt Kuchar
Hoey has missed his final three cuts, however the one they name WGD (World’s Best Driver) is ranked eighth in strokes gained off the tee. … Talking of driving, Sargent‘s size will serve him properly as he appears to be like to repeat as low beginner. … As all the time, the query with Woods stays his physique; ball-striking alone ought to e book him weekend tee instances. … McKibbin, aka Lil Rory, has three top-10s in his final 5 worldwide begins. … It hasn’t been an excellent stretch for Taylor, however he’s nonetheless high 50 in strokes gained strategy and placing. … Fowler is hoping for some magic like final yr at LACC after a disappointing marketing campaign wherein he ranks final in factors amongst top-50 gamers from 2022-23. … Kim should lean on his putter closely (high 25 in strokes gained placing and three-putt avoidance). … Although Schenk is high 50 in strokes gained off the tee and placing, he has missed three straight weekends. … Hadley has two top-10s in his final 5 begins, although these have been at Zurich and Myrtle; top-20 putter, although … T-33 at Memorial was stable for Kuchar, contemplating his current type. Like Hadley, should rely closely on his putter.
Nos. 71-80
80. Luke Clanton (a)
79. Jake Knapp
78. Adrian Meronk
77. Daniel Berger
76. Justin Decrease
75. Frankie Capan III
74. Justin Rose
73. Max Greyserman
72. Shane Lowry
71. David Puig
Clanton is my front-runner for low am as he not too long ago wrapped up his sophomore season at FSU because the No. 1-ranked participant in faculty golf. He additionally received the North and South Novice on No. 2 in 2022. … Knapp has cooled off in current months, however nonetheless bombs it and T-8 at Nelson proves it’s nonetheless in there. … Meronk helped the Cleeks to the group title at LIV Houston (one thing I by no means would’ve envisioned writing in 2014). … Berger shot 66 within the last spherical at Pinehurst in 2014 to complete T-28. Nevertheless, T-13 at Nelson his greatest end in final 5 Tour begins. … Decrease driving three straight MCs, however he’s fifth in strategy proximity. … Capan certified because the medalist out of Durham, the place seven spots have been accessible. He shot 58 earlier this yr on the KFT. … Rose has missed three of his final 4 U.S. Open cuts, and the lengthy recreation has been of noticeable concern this yr. … Greyserman has missed three of 4 cuts, however he was T-7 at Memorial Park in March. He could possibly be a pleasant worth to make the reduce right here. … That is actually low for Lowry, who was T-6 on the PGA after I ranked him inside the highest 15, however he’s outdoors the highest 170 in strokes gained placing and three-putt avoidance. … Puig has performed properly this yr and not too long ago was T-3 at LIV Houston, simply don’t get carried away.
Nos. 61-70
70. Webb Simpson
69. Seamus Energy
68. Adam Svensson
67. Tom Kim
66. J.T. Poston
65. Greyson Sigg
64. Dustin Johnson
63. Adam Hadwin
62. Will Zalatoris
61. Ryan Fox
Simpson certified into this one, which is significant contemplating he owns a home in Pinehurst. … Energy has alternated stable finishes (T-27 or higher) with MCs over his final six begins; the pattern would recommend a MC this week, although Energy is a stable scrambler who’s high 60 in strokes gained strategy. … Svensson ranked high 40 in strokes gained strategy and has now made 9 straight cuts. … Kim was T-4 two weeks in the past in Canada, however he’s nonetheless not high 70 in any strokes-gained classes. … Poston lacks size, however he’s high 40 in strokes gained across the inexperienced and owns three top-25s in his final 5 Tour begins. … Sigg is high 15 in strokes gained strategy and high 10 in bogey avoidance. … I don’t know what to make of Johnson, who’s coming off a solo thirteenth at LIV Houston. Since his T-4 at Pinehurst in 2014, he has a win, only one MC and just one different non-top-25 in U.S. Opens. However he’s additionally missed two of his final three main cuts. … Hadwin grabbed a ton of momentum together with his solo third at Memorial, however he’s nonetheless outdoors the highest 100 in strokes gained placing, traditionally a power. … Zalatoris hasn’t cracked the highest 40 because the Masters; clearly not himself. … Fox owns a pair top-7s on Tour prior to now few weeks. Makes extra bogeys than I’d like, however high 20 in driving distance.
Sepp Straka of Austria acknowledges the gallery on the 18th inexperienced after his birdie throughout Day 4 of The Memorial Event introduced by Workday at Muirfield Village Golf Membership in Dublin, Ohio, USA on Sunday, June 9, 2024. (Photograph by Jorge Lemus/NurPhoto by way of Getty Photographs)
NurPhoto by way of Getty Photographs
Nos. 51-60
60. Mark Hubbard
59. Patrick Cantlay
58. Tom Hoge
57. Max Homa
56. Min Woo Lee
55. Taylor Pendrith
54. Chris Kirk
53. Sergio Garcia
52. Sepp Straka
51. Akshay Bhatia
The outcomes haven’t been there not too long ago for Hubbard, however he’s basically high 50 in strokes gained strategy and placing. … Cantlay has only one top-20 in his final eight Tour begins. … Hoge is unsurprisingly third in strokes gained strategy and proximity, although one way or the other he’s missed 4 of six profession U.S. Open cuts and owns only one main top-10. … Three straight begins with no top-20 for Homa, who’s ranked outdoors the highest 120 in strokes gained off the tee and strategy proximity. … Min Woo is high 10 in strokes gained off the tee and driving distance, and he’s principally on a run of 4 straight top-25s. … Pendrith‘s size and top-10 placing ought to get him to the weekend safely. … Kirk top-20 worthy primarily based solely on his talent tee to inexperienced, however the placing (No. 169) scares me, as do his three straight MCs. … Garcia being added to the sphere brings one other stout driver of the ball and a current T-5 at LIV Houston into the combo. … Straka has hit the highest 10 in 4 of his final 5 Tour begins, although my mannequin isn’t a fan this week. … Bhatia burned me on the PGA, although his T-22 at Memorial was a pleasant signal. Practically a top-10 strategy participant.
ANCASTER, ON – JUNE 02: Mac Meissner (USA) watches his tee shot on 8 in the course of the last spherical of the RBC Canadian Open on June 2, 2024 at Hamilton Golf & Nation Membership in Ancaster, Ontario, Canada. (Photograph by Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photographs)
Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photographs
Nos. 41-50
50. Sahith Theegala
49. Jordan Spieth
48. Bob MacIntyre
47. Matt Fitzpatrick
46. Mackenzie Hughes
45. Cameron Younger
44. Corey Conners
43. Mac Meissner
42. Harris English
41. Taylor Moore
Theegala has received on one other course match, Silverado. He’s bought two T-12’s in his final three begins, too. … Spieth hangs on inside the highest 50; love his driver this yr, although the wrist is a large concern. … So long as the hangover has worn off, MacIntyre is a top-50 driver and putter who can be round that mark in bogey avoidance. Performs robust programs properly. … Good to see Fitzpatrick notch a T-5 at Memorial, however the truth that his No. 50 rating in strokes gained placing is his greatest strokes-gained rank, that’s not an excellent indicator for this week. … Earlier than MC at Memorial, Hughes had a pair top-8s in three begins. Prime 10 in strokes gained across the inexperienced and placing. … My intestine feeling strikes Younger up a number of spots than my mannequin had him; the size and driving alone will energy him into the weekend. … Conners has constantly been a top-20 man in my main energy rankings, however that second-ranked strategy play can solely achieve this a lot. … Meissner is one other sleeper I like together with Thompson. No actual weaknesses, and he’s high 40 in strokes gained strategy and proximity. … English has two straight MCs coming into this week, however he’s a top-10 putter and there’s a cause he’s notched three top-10s in his final 4 U.S. Opens. … Moore has a hard-nosed recreation that figures to point out properly at majors, therefore his T-12 on the PGA. Additionally has had success at Memorial Park (T-2 this yr), so I’m trying previous the MC at Memorial.
Nos. 31-40
40. Byeong-Hun An
39. Beau Hossler
38. Austin Eckroat
37. Billy Horschel
36. Kurt Kitayama
35. Erik van Rooyen
34. Sungjae Im
33. Dean Burmester
32. Adam Scott
31. Denny McCarthy
An couldn’t benefit from the momentum from back-to-back top-4s coming into PGA, however his rating third in driving distance this season received’t damage him right here. … From 100 yards and in, there are few extra ready to tackle a U.S. Open check than Hossler. … Cherished seeing Eckroat publish a T-18 on the PGA; high 40 in strokes gained off the tee and on strategy, and he doesn’t make a ton of bogeys. … Horschel is discovering his groove once more (T-8 at PGA, T-15 at Memorial); drives it properly, high 10 in strokes gained placing and limits errors. … I’ll be trustworthy, my mannequin has Kitayama high 20, however I couldn’t do it. … Van Rooyen finds himself inside the highest 50 in fairly just a few necessary stats for this week. … Im owns 4 top-12s in his final 5 Tour begins, although the one outlier was his MC on the PGA; have to see it in a significant once more for Im to crack the highest 25 once more. … Burmester‘s T-18 at LIV Houston was his worst displaying in his final six worldwide begins, which embrace a T-12 on the PGA. … Scott was a late add to the sphere, on Monday, however high in strokes gained off the tee and round high 50 in bogey avoidance and strokes gained placing. … McCarthy has gone T-7, T-20 in his two U.S. Open begins up to now. That putter will all the time assist him on USGA setups.
Nos. 21-30
30. Brian Harman
29. Tony Finau
28. Aaron Rai
27. Thomas Detry
26. Tommy Fleetwood
25. Stephan Jaeger
24. Lucas Glover
23. Davis Thompson
22. Viktor Hovland
21. Keegan Bradley
Harman isn’t driving a ton of momentum, however my mannequin likes him for a top-25. I’ll maintain him simply outdoors that. … Finau has the size, is high 10 on strategy and is a previous winner at Memorial Park. He most likely ought to be a tad larger. … Rai is one other participant with an excellent observe document at Memorial Park, and he’s high 10 in strokes gained strategy, strategy proximity and bogey avoidance. … A pattern is creating right here; Detry one other standout at Memorial Park who was T-4 in his final main, on the PGA. … Fleetwood has 5 top-10s in his final 9 main begins, good scrambler and high 10 in bogey avoidance. … Talking of Memorial Park, Jaeger received there this yr. … Glover hits it shut (high 12 in strokes gained strategy and proximity) and scrambles properly. … Thompson is my final sleeper this week. Above common in principally every part, he has a breakout efficiency right here. … Even with a solo third at PGA, I have to see yet one more good main displaying from Hovland earlier than he cracks the highest 20 once more. … Throw away an atrocious weekend at Memorial (78-80) and Bradley is in good type, constantly strikes it properly for these U.S. Open exams; simply must keep away from bogeys higher than he has this season.
Nos. 11-20
20. Jason Day
19. Victor Perez
18. Christiaan Bezuidenhout
17. Sam Burns
16. Si Woo Kim
15. Wyndham Clark
14. Jon Rahm
13. Tyrrell Hatton
12. Alex Noren
11. Brooks Koepka
Day is high 20 in strokes gained across the inexperienced, placing and bogey avoidance. … Perez has gone third, T-12 in his final two Tour begins, and he’s high 25 in strokes gained strategy and bogey avoidance. … Bezuidenhout hits it shut (No. 11 in strategy proximity) and makes putts (eighth in strokes gained placing). … Sure, Burns has missed 4 of his final 5 majors cuts, however he’s bought to get issues moving into them someday. I truly suppose Pinehurst mitigates Burns’ struggles across the inexperienced. … Si Woo is a well-liked main choose for me, and although he backfired at PGA, he’s high 10 in strategy and he received’t be bothered scrambling from Pinehurst’s assortment areas. … It’s straightforward to concentrate on Clark’s MCs on this yr’s majors and this previous week, however the reigning champ hits it far (fifth in driving distance) and putts it properly (No. 18 in strokes gained placing). … Rahm withdrew from LIV Houston with a foot an infection/reduce. He ought to be advantageous, however he’s not finished a lot within the majors this yr. … I wouldn’t be shocked if Hatton is low LIV participant. … Noren’s T-12 at PGA made me look sensible (I ranked him inside the highest 10). No. 3 in bogey avoidance and good scrambling from 10-plus yards will play once more this week. … For all his main success, it’s value noting that Koepka doesn’t have a top-25 in a significant up to now this yr.
Nos. 1-10
10. Cameron Smith
9. Hideki Matsuyama
8. Russell Henley
7. Collin Morikawa
6. Justin Thomas
5. Ludvig Åberg
4. Bryson DeChambeau
3. Rory McIlroy
2. Xander Schauffele
1. Scottie Scheffler
A T-48 at LIV Houston is way from ultimate, however one thing about this place screams a Cam Smith top-10. … Matsuyama continues to be the Tour’s high participant across the inexperienced. The bonus is he’s high 30 on strategy and high 20 in bogey avoidance. … We all the time provide you with one shocking title within the high 10, and that’s Henley, who, if he drives it properly, will contend. … Morikawa is again, coming into this week with finishes of T-4, fourth, second. And he’s beginning to enhance on his strategy play, again inside the highest 70. … Talking of again, Thomas is sixth in strokes gained strategy and across the inexperienced. The T-8 on the PGA boosted his confidence, too. … The T-15 at Muirfield Village quiets the Åberg harm considerations. He’s third on Tour in strategy proximity. … After a T-6 at Masters and runner-up at PGA, DeChambeau has a ton of momentum in majors, and his size will serve him properly right here. … McIlroy backed as much as a good T-15 at Memorial, however he’s second in driving distance and hasn’t completed outdoors the highest 10 in every of his previous 5 U.S. Opens. … Schauffele is high 3 in each strokes gained off the tee and strategy whereas main the Tour in three-putt avoidance. Plus, he’s bought main confidence after breaking via on the PGA. … Scheffler bought again to his profitable methods at Memorial, capturing his fifth title of the yr. He’s the Tour’s chief in strokes gained strategy, strategy proximity and bogey avoidance. It’s going to be robust to beat him.
