U.S. Open: Prime 50 gamers at Pinehurst, ranked by probabilities to win

This yr’s U.S. Open consists of 156 golfers from all over the world, together with 16 amateurs and 13 from LIV Golf. Some gamers earned exemptions primarily based on varied standards, whereas others performed their means into the championship by way of ultimate qualifying.

No matter their path, Pinehurst No. 2 awaits them for golf’s most vigorous take a look at.

The 124th U.S. Open has a loaded area with dozens of high gamers, all of whom have intriguing storylines. So let’s try the highest 50 gamers, ranked by who has the most effective probability of profitable the U.S. Open.

This checklist has been up to date since Jon Rahm, initially ranked tenth, withdrew from the championship.

Prime 50 Gamers at U.S. Open, ranked:

50. J.T. Poston

J.T. Poston has had an up-and-down season, primarily resulting from his inconsistent ball-striking. He posted three high 10s early within the yr, together with at Riviera. However since then, he has just one top-10 end: a tie for fifth on the RBC Heritage. Regardless of that, he arrives at Pinehurst after two strong begins at Colonial and on the Memorial.

49. Will Zalatoris

Two years in the past, Will Zalatoris had an opportunity to drive a playoff with Matt Fitzpatrick at Brookline, however he missed a putt on the 72nd gap by a hair. He then sat out most of final yr resulting from a again harm and at last returns to the U.S. Open, hoping to construct on his success from 2022. However his shaky quick sport might stop him from doing so.

48. Victor Perez

The Frenchman is among the higher iron gamers on the PGA Tour, as evidenced by his strong ball-striking efficiency on the Memorial final week. If not for 2 closing bogies, he would have fared higher than a tie for twelfth. Perez additionally tied for third on the RBC Canadian Open the week earlier than.

Photograph by Ian Johnson/Getty Photographs

47. Erik van Rooyen

Erik van Rooyen is nineteenth on the PGA Tour in total strokes gained. He’s additionally a strong putter. However the flat stick deserted him final week on the Memorial, the place he tied for forty second. Nonetheless, van Rooyen has made 5 straight cuts courting again to the start of April.

46. Nick Taylor

Nick Taylor’s clutch win in Phoenix led many to suppose that he would take that subsequent step. However he has solely posted one high 10 since then. He missed the lower at each the Masters and the PGA Championship. He additionally didn’t make the weekend in his two earlier U.S. Open begins.

45. Ryan Fox

May one other Kiwi win at Pinehurst No. 2? Maybe. His final begin got here on the RBC Canadian Open, the place he tied for seventh. He additionally held off a few of the largest stars in Europe ultimately yr’s BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

44. Harris English

The previous Georgia Bulldog tied for 18th at Valhalla, however he adopted that up with a pair of missed cuts on the Memorial and Muirfield Village. Nonetheless, placing is his sturdy go well with, so he might flip in one other strong U.S. Open end. He tied for eighth final yr and completed within the high 5 in each 2020 and 2021.

43. Lucas Glover

It’s arduous to consider that Lucas Glover conquered a rain-soaked Bethpage Black 15 years in the past. Alas, Glover final performed within the U.S. Open in 2020, tying for seventeenth at Winged Foot. His two wins final yr earned him an invitation again to Pinehurst No. 2, the place he missed the lower in 2014.

42. Mackenzie Hughes

Mackenzie Hughes has a superb quick sport, however he has produced inconsistent outcomes. Look no additional than the final 4 weeks: Hughes tied for sixth in Charlotte, missed the lower on the PGA Championship, tied for seventh in Canada, after which missed the lower on the Memorial.

41. Tom Hoge

Top-of-the-line ball strikers on the PGA Tour, Tom Hoge arrives at Pinehurst No. 2 trying to make a reputation for himself. He has two top-10 finishes this yr, each of which got here in Signature Occasions.

40. Adam Hadwin

Final week, Adam Hadwin completed in solo third on the Memorial, thus incomes an invitation to The Open. His finest attribute could also be his quick sport, however he did rank second in strokes gained, approaching the inexperienced final week at Jack’s Place. At the very least Hadwin didn’t get pummelled by a safety guard on the Sunday earlier than the U.S. Open—in contrast to final yr.

39. Cameron Younger

Cameron Younger has outlined inconsistency in 2024. He started the season with a robust displaying in Dubai and has 4 extra high 10s to his title, together with a tie for ninth at Augusta. However his quick sport and his placing have saved him from contending week in and week out.

38. Robert MacIntyre

Robert MacIntyre has returned to the USA, as he opted to skip the Memorial to rejoice his first PGA Tour victory at residence in Scotland. His father is not going to loop for him this time round, however that ought to not diminish any of the Scotsman’s confidence.

Photograph by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Photographs

37. Keegan Bradley

Keegan Bradley arrives in North Carolina recent off a tie for forty third on the Memorial. However his poor end may be attributed to a horrible third and ultimate spherical, during which he carded rounds of 78 and 80. Earlier than that, Bradley tied for 2nd at Colonial, thus indicating his sport is in an honest place.

36. Sungjae Im

Sungjae Im missed the lower at each the Masters and the PGA Championship however has had 5 strong performances because the starting of April. Im received the Woori Monetary Group Championship Korea earlier than tying for 4th on the Wells Fargo. He has the sport to contend if he can roll it like he did on the Memorial final week.

35. Jordan Spieth

It has been all downhill for Jordan Spieth since his solo third end at The Sentry. He has missed 5 cuts since The Gamers whereas recording just one high 10 in that span. Spieth has not putted effectively both, and all indicators level to him struggling once more this week.

34. Denny McCarthy

Denny McCarthy’s sport interprets completely to Pinehurst No. 2. He isn’t a giant hitter by any means, however he could be the most effective putter out of any participant within the area. His finest end on the U.S. Open got here two years in the past at Brookline, the place he tied for seventh.

33. Min Woo Lee

Min Woo Lee is among the most entertaining gamers in golf. He’s terrific off the tee however struggles at instances together with his irons and together with his quick sport. Regardless of that, Lee tied for fifth ultimately yr’s U.S. Open. Maybe he can ‘prepare dinner’ a bit extra Min Woo magic this time round.

32. Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Contemporary off a 4th place end on the Memorial, Christiaan Bezuidenhout arrives at Pinehurst No. 2 filled with confidence. He’s additionally among the finest putters on the PGA Tour and has recorded 9 top-25 finishes this season.

31. Alex Noren

For the reason that Cognizant Basic, Noren has completed within the high 25 in 9 occasions. That features a tie for twelfth on the PGA Championship, which may be attributed to his beautiful ball-striking and terrific quick sport. The Swede may flip some heads this week.

30. Si Woo Kim

A superb ball striker with a improbable quick sport across the greens, Si Woo Kim has the sport to contend at Pinehurst No. 2. However his downside is his placing. He ranks 162nd on tour in strokes gained placing however 4th in strokes gained, tee to inexperienced. Go determine.

29. Brian Harman

Since narrowly shedding out to Scottie Scheffler at The Gamers, Brian Harman has not had his finest stuff. He missed the lower at Augusta however then tied for twelfth at Hilton Head. He has made 4 straight cuts since, together with his finest end coming at Colonial, a tie for twenty fourth.

Photograph by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Photographs

28. Dean Burmester

Dean Burmester has not performed in a U.S. Open since 2019, when he missed the lower at Pebble Seaside. However he most lately tied for twelfth at Valhalla, displaying that he can compete among the many best possible. The massive-hitting South African additionally received LIV Golf Miami earlier this yr.

27. Jason Day

The 2015 PGA Champion has an incredible quick sport, and contemplating that Pinehurst is laid out on sandy soil—not dissimilar to the programs seen in his native Australia—you need to suppose Day will really feel comfy on No. 2. He tied for 4th right here in 2014.

26. Byeong Hun An

It looks as if Beyong Hun An is due for a giant victory. He has 4 high 5 finishes, two of which got here in Signature Occasions. He additionally tied for sixteenth at Augusta however tied for forty third at Valhalla. An is a terrific iron participant with loads of size however struggles on the greens.

25. Shane Lowry

Shane Lowry virtually made main championship historical past at Valhalla, coming near capturing an epic 61. However he lately shot an abhorrent 85 on the Memorial, so who is aware of how the Irishman will fare at Pinehurst.

24. Tom Kim

Two weeks in the past, Tom Kim posted his finest end of the season, a tie for fourth on the RBC Canadian Open due to a ultimate spherical 65. However he couldn’t carry that momentum to the Memorial, the place he tied for forty third. He made the lower at each majors this yr however was by no means a consider both.

23. Sahith Theegala

Maybe that is the week for Sahith Theegala, who had a strong displaying at Valhalla aside from his ultimate spherical. He most lately tied for twelfth on the Memorial, regardless of a sub-par placing efficiency.

22. Sam Burns

Sam Burns didn’t make the lower on the Masters and the PGA Championship, the latter of which noticed his putter seal his destiny. However he has posted two respectable finishes since then: a tie for tenth in Canada and a tie for fifteenth on the Memorial.

21. Tony Finau

Tony Finau has not been an element at both main this yr, however he has turned in strong performances elsewhere. At any charge, all of it comes all the way down to the putter for Finau, who is among the world’s finest iron gamers.

Photograph by Amy Lemus/Getty Photographs

20. Sepp Straka

Sepp Straka missed the lower at Valhalla however has posted two top-five finishes since then at Colonial and at Muirfield Village. He is among the most correct gamers from tee to inexperienced, which all the time bodes effectively in a U.S. Open.

19. Corey Conners

Corey Conners has not missed a lower all season, together with his finest efficiency coming in his residence nation on the RBC Canadian Open. He tied for sixth that week due to a strong placing efficiency. If he can proceed to putt effectively at Pinehurst, be careful. He’s among the finest ball-strikers on tour.

18. Tyrrell Hatton

Tyrrell Hatton turned in a strong efficiency at Augusta however didn’t contend at Valhalla, tying for 63rd. He has not been a consider any LIV Golf occasion, however everybody is aware of he has the expertise to interrupt by in a significant.

17. Wyndham Clark

Exterior of his tie for third at Harbour City, the reigning U.S. Open champion has appeared misplaced since lacking the lower on the Masters. Clark arrives in North Carolina recent off two extra missed cuts at Valhalla and Muirfield Village. He additionally known as Pinehurst No. 2’s greens “borderline,” referencing their issue bordering on an unfair degree.

16. Max Homa

Max Homa contended in a significant for the primary time at Augusta however got here up quick. He has not performed significantly effectively since then, though he did tie for eighth on the Wells Fargo Championship.

15. Justin Thomas

Since lacking the lower at Augusta, Thomas has tied for fifth, twenty first, eighth, and most lately, twenty third on the Memorial. He performed effectively in entrance of his hometown crowd on the PGA Championship, however for Thomas to win at Pinehurst, he’ll want his putter to point out up.

14. Russell Henley

Maybe essentially the most underrated—and least talked about—participant on the planet proper now, Russell Henley has had a strong season. His solely missed lower got here at The Gamers, however he has 4 high 10s to compensate for that. Henley additionally tied for 14th on the Los Angeles Nation Membership a yr in the past.

13. Matt Fitzpatrick

Contemporary off a bounce-back efficiency on the Memorial, Matt Fitzpatrick arrives within the Tar Heel State with a scorching scorching putter. If the flat stick continues to cooperate, the Englishman may win his second U.S. Open in three years.

12. Cameron Smith

You’d suppose Cameron Smith’s sport will translate effectively at Pinehurst No. 2, a course that options a few of the most difficult greens on the planet. However he simply posted an 8-over 80 at LIV Golf Houston. Nonetheless, he has three high 10 finishes in majors since Oak Hill final yr.

Photograph by Tim Warner/Getty Photographs

11. Patrick Cantlay

The previous UCLA Bruin has had an odd season. He misplaced his mojo down the stretch at Riviera, didn’t contend at both main, and most lately missed the lower on the Memorial. Cantlay did tie for third on the RBC Heritage, although.

10. Hideki Matsuyama

Since racing previous everybody to win the Genesis Invitational, Hideki Matsuyama has quietly put collectively some strong outcomes. He has three high 10s, together with a tie for sixth at The Gamers. He tied for eighth on the Memorial, too.

9. Tommy Fleetwood

Tommy Fleetwood appears due for a significant championship, as he is among the most gifted gamers with out one. He’s a terrific iron participant and has a strong quick sport, so maybe that is the week.

8. Viktor Hovland

After lacking the lower on the Masters, Hovland has turned issues round. He completed solo third at Valhalla and most lately tied for fifteenth at Muirfield Village. The Norwegian appears like a high participant once more, like he did in all of 2023.

7. Brooks Koepka

Brooks Koepka prides himself on performing in main championships however has but to point out up this season. Figuring out his pedigree, that might very effectively change this week.

6. Ludvig Åberg

After posting a solo 2nd in his main championship debut at Augusta Nationwide, Ludvig Åberg missed the lower at Valhalla. A knee harm might have affected that, however now he appears wholesome going into Pinehurst No. 2, a course that fits his sport completely.

Photograph by Ian Johnson/Getty Photographs

5. Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy has three worldwide wins in 2024, however his season appears considerably unfulfilling. A win at Pinehurst would change that, and he clearly has the sport to take action. However it all comes all the way down to the putter for McIlroy.

4. Bryson DeChambeau

Though he didn’t play as much as his requirements at LIV Golf Houston, DeChambeau tied for sixth on the Masters and misplaced to Xander Schauffele by a stroke at Valhalla. He is among the finest gamers on the planet proper now.

3. Collin Morikawa

Collin Morikawa has come shut so many instances this yr. A win has to return quickly, however at the least he’s enjoying a lot better now than he did earlier within the season. He virtually beat Scottie Scheffler at Jack’s Place and now arrives on the U.S. Open with an added chip on his shoulder.

2. Xander Schauffele

Xander Schauffele has the whole sport to win back-to-back majors. He has no notable flaws, however avoiding errors at Pinehurst can be crucial. He will even have to remain affected person, like he did at Valhalla.

1. Scottie Scheffler

In the event you suppose anybody else ought to sit on this spot, you haven’t watched any golf in 2024. Scottie Scheffler is in a tier of his personal, arriving at Pinehurst No. 2 with extraordinarily low odds not seen since Tiger Woods in his heyday.

Photograph by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Photographs

Jack Milko is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By. Make sure you try @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You may comply with him on Twitter @jack_milko as effectively.