It’s that time again as we enter the week of the third major 2024. When only four weeks a year truly matter in a fractured golf landscape, it makes you appreciate those isolated weeks even more. That is the case this week, as America’s National Open returns to North Carolina, and Pinehurst No. 2 takes centre stage.
Embed from Getty ImagesWe get to see the LIV boys against the Tour boys on one of the best tracks in the county. What more could you want? The conditions promise to be firm and fast, a true US Open test. No matter who wins, they will be more than deserving champions.
US Open – The man to beat
The man to beat is Scottie Scheffler, who won yet again at Jack Niklaus’ Muirfield Village last week. The Memorial tournament provided a taster for what the archetypal US Open entails, with just 11 players finishing the week under par. It should be more similar this week, but the low wind forecasted on the East Coast may be a reprieve for the world’s best.
Weather is not as much of a factor at the US Open as it is at the Open across the pond, though. Wind or no wind, the players will be forced to be exact with their iron play. The US Open is as much about the physical side as the mental. Temperament is required above anything else.
US Open – A different layout
The Pinehurst layout presents a different kind of test to your typical course. Most greens are turtle backs, so they slope off in all directions, making iron play precision vital. In addition, instead of the usual rough off of the fairways, Pinehurst has waste areas with wire grass. Whether you get a good sandy lie with a clean swing is a true lottery. Or if your ball rests in or close to wire grass, which will heavily impede a normal swing. It makes every shot interesting. Shots from around the green can be played in many ways, using nearly every club in the bag. Approach shots, when not on the fairway, have variety. It should make for a thoroughly entertaining golf tournament.
Embed from Getty ImagesIt doesn’t have to be a battle down to the wire to be exciting. Martin Kaymer won by eight shots ten years ago, and it was still an engaging watch on Saturday and Sunday. With the US Open, big numbers lurk from just one loose shot, so it is never over until after the 72nd hole.
The chasing pack
Xander Schauffele has recently become Scottie’s closest competitor. The PGA Champ could tie Scottie’s major wins with another victory this week. Collin Morikawa has been close in majors this year and could get 75% of the way to the grand slam if he wins this week. With the emphasis on approach play and low wind forecasted, he is certainly one to keep an eye on.
Bryson Dechambeau has shown a resurgence to somewhere near his best, with good performances in both majors this year. His driving distance puts him in good stead to contend. Jon Rahm, who has not made much noise since he joined LIV at the turn of the year, was forced to withdraw Tuesday evening as his foot infection is hindering his game greatly. He is a big name who will not be competing this week.
Ten years on
Martin Kaymer used his putter from everywhere off the green in 2014, which was conducive to him winning by eight shots. The players may not be able to replicate that strategy to its full extent this time, with reports that the grass around the green is slightly longer than it was ten years ago, encouraging chipping. Players have been seen practising bump and run with 4 irons and woods during practice rounds this week, which would make for an interesting watch when balls start to trickle off of the many false fronts on number two.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe US Open is always a compelling spectacle, watching the world’s best plot their way around an extremely demanding golf course. Par is always a good score, so seeing what scores we witness across the four rounds will be intriguing. Winning scores have been slightly under par lately at US Opens. But Pinehurst’s dichotomous challenge to other open venues means we may see something closer to par this year. We will have to wait and see.