Scheffler’s dominance, U.S. Open preview

Check in each week for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the most popular subjects within the sport, and be a part of the dialog by tweeting us at @golf_com. This week, we focus on any potential hesitations (or lack thereof) for selecting Scottie Scheffler at Pinehurst and preview this week’s U.S. Open.

1. Scottie Scheffler received the Memorial on Sunday, his fifth win of 2024, the primary to try this by this level of the season since 1980. Now he heads to the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2 as soon as once more because the heavy betting favourite. Despite his success, ought to there be any hesitation in choosing him since he’s by no means received a significant outdoors of Augusta National?

Jessica Marksbury, senior editor (@jess_marksbury): It feels unattainable to wager in opposition to Scottie Scheffler today. I’m struggling to seek out any metric that will deter me from choosing him as a favourite. Golf is fickle, anybody can have a foul day at any given time, however Scheffler’s consistency is one in all his most spectacular stats. He hasn’t missed a minimize in almost two years. He hasn’t completed outdoors the highest 17 since final August. Prior to the Memorial, his final seven tournaments included 4 wins, two runner-ups and a T8 on the PGA — after he was arrested. Is there any stopping this man? I believe not!

Josh Sens, senior author (@joshsens): The horses for programs factor doesn’t apply to Scheffler. His sport is so full, it will possibly journey anyplace. It’s only a matter of time earlier than he wins a significant aside from the Masters. The oddsmakers have it proper to have him the runaway favourite right here.

Jonathan Wall, managing tools editor (@jonathanrwall): Anyone who hesitates to pick Scottie to win a significant on any course needs to be admitted to a psychiatric ward. As Josh stated, his sport travels. I hate choosing the chalk at a significant, however I can’t see anybody chasing him down at Pinehurst. 

2. Pinehurst No. 2 will play a significant function in U.S. Opens going ahead, because it was the primary official “anchor site” of golf’s nationwide championship. We haven’t seen it host the highest execs since 2014. For the uninformed, how totally different is the Donald Ross design in comparison with newer main stops, and how much participant/sport bodes nicely right here?

Marksbury: One factor that struck me once I had the possibility to play Pinehurst was how tough it was to lose a ball. You can discover — and play! — a ball from nearly anyplace. (An ideal boon for us leisure gamers!) But even on the professional degree, I believe that can be useful for the longer guys who are likely to spray it a bit, as a result of the penalty is minimal in comparison with different programs. The inexperienced complexes are the place the course actually exhibits its enamel, so I’m betting on the fellows with severe short-game prowess to rise to the highest.

Sens: Green complexes are robust at most US Open venues. But the turtlebacks at Pinehurst are particularly demanding. There’s a purpose they joke that at Pinehurst, they don’t monitor greens in regulation They monitor greens visited in regulation. They’re not simply onerous to hit. They’re onerous to carry. Miss your spot and bye bye. There’s no tough on No. 2, in order that’s one other big distinction. But there are tons of sandy wastes with clumps of native grass that may trigger every kind of distress, so you possibly can’t simply hit it anyplace off the tee.. A pointy brief sport is essential in any main. But distance management goes to be essential on approaches, so if I have been crunching stats for workplace pool functions, I’d be wanting intently on the iron sport. 

3. What about Tiger Woods? Do you see his first U.S. Open look in 4 years going any higher than his different main begins this yr (sixtieth Masters, missed minimize PGA)?

Marksbury: Tiger’s latest performances have proven us that he nonetheless has all of the photographs. What he’s missing is four-round stamina, and reps. Pinehurst is a delicate stroll, and I believe that bodes nicely for Tiger. I count on him to make the minimize, and enhance upon his Masters end too, although I doubt he’ll really contend.

Sens. I’m with you, Jess. As at Augusta, he’ll have the ability to depend on his guts and guile however with out the painfully hilly stroll. I might see his brief sport–and his psychological sport– conserving him round for the weekend. And possibly even within the combine. 

Wall: Making it 72 holes could be an accomplishment. We’ve seen Tiger grind for the weekend at majors, however he tends to expire of gasoline earlier than the ultimate spherical. I don’t see issues altering this week until he desires to extend the pre-major event reps. 

4. Bryson DeChambeau has been LIV’s greatest main performer this yr, tying for sixth on the Masters and taking runner-up honors on the PGA Championship. Do you see that pattern persevering with at Pinehurst?

Marksbury: Pinehurst looks like a terrific match for Bryson. It’s additionally been enjoyable to look at what looks like a renewed lightness of spirit in him. He seems to be like he’s totally having fun with his function as an entertainer, which might be making his golf higher too.

Sens: Bryson does appear in a terrific place each mentally and bodily. My guess is that Pinehurst is just not the sort of course that he’ll have the ability to bend as simply to his will along with his energy, no less than not as he did at Valhalla. But we already know he’s obtained US Open-winning sport. Hard to not rank him among the many high 5 prospects heading into the week. 

Wall: I can’t title one other LIV professional I’d take over Bryson. Brooks Koepka has the main championship pedigree and is aware of cope with the ups and downs of a U.S. Open, but it surely’s tough to foretell which Koepka will present up. Recency bias makes Bryson the apparent selection. 

5. What’s the U.S. Open storyline that needs to be on everybody’s radar?

Marksbury: I’m wanting ahead to seeing some potential next-gen rivalries in motion. In addition to Scottie’s dominance, we have now gamers like newly-minted main champ Xander Schauffele and two-time main winner Collin Morikawa seemingly peaking all on the similar time. This needs to be a barn-burner of a significant, and hopefully, a glimpse of golf’s future.

Sens: Which Jon Rahm will we see. The world beater of years previous? Or the sullen underperformer of 2024? He simply pulled out of a LIV occasion this week, citing an damage. But bodily points apart, he has gave the impression to be in a battle with himself since becoming a member of LIV. An fascinating case examine in psychology, as golf so typically is. 

Wall: Can Xander maintain his unbelievable run on the majors alive? As stats guru Justin Ray talked about not too long ago on social media, X is the primary professional to start his U.S. Open profession with 7 straight top-15 finishes since Bobby Jones (11 straight, 1920-30). It’s an absurd stat highlighting his unbelievable consistency at golf’s most grueling main take a look at. We knew he had the sport to contend, however his breakthrough at Valhalla proves he can shut the deal. Now it’s time to see if he has what it takes to turn out to be a multi-time main winner. If anybody will knock Scottie off the throne, it’s Xander. 

6. Let’s finish with a straightforward one. In a latest reader survey performed by GOLF.com, we gathered your ideas on a variety of etiquette subjects. Some of probably the most fascinating solutions have been relating to probably the most annoying golfer habits. Here’s what our readers stated. What’s your reply?

Marksbury: My greatest pet peeve is taking too lengthy to get off the tee. I wish to play prepared golf, however once I’m not taking part in the identical tee as my group, I typically have to face round for what appears like ages ready for my taking part in companions to get going. Annoying!

Sens: I aspect with our readers on sluggish play. But except for that, I’d say the golfer who talks incessantly about his/her personal sport, providing excuses and narrating photographs at the same time as you’re standing there watching them your self. That will get previous quick. Temper tantrums may be off placing too. But these are so pathetic that they are often humorous, so no less than they’ve some leisure worth. 

Wall: When somebody talks to my ball because it’s within the air. Please cease yelling for it to “get down” or “come back.” It’s not going to take heed to you. Silence is all the time most well-liked.