Scheffler’s dominance, U.S. Open preview

Examine in each week for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the most well liked matters within the sport, and be part of the dialog by tweeting us at @golf_com. This week, we talk about any potential hesitations (or lack thereof) for choosing 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. Regardless of his success, ought to there be any hesitation in selecting him since he’s by no means received a serious outdoors of Augusta Nationwide?

Jessica Marksbury, senior editor (@jess_marksbury): It feels inconceivable to wager towards Scottie Scheffler today. I’m struggling to search out any metric that will deter me from selecting him as a favourite. Golf is fickle, anybody can have a foul day at any given time, however Scheffler’s consistency is one in every of his most spectacular stats. He hasn’t missed a reduce in almost two years. He hasn’t completed outdoors the highest 17 since final August. Previous 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 feel not!

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

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

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

Marksbury: One factor that struck me after I had the prospect to play Pinehurst was how tough it was to lose a ball. You will discover — and play! — a ball from nearly anyplace. (An amazing boon for us leisure gamers!) However even on the professional stage, I feel that will probably 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 reveals its tooth, so I’m betting on the blokes with critical short-game prowess to rise to the highest.

Sens: Inexperienced complexes are powerful at most US Open venues. However the turtlebacks at Pinehurst are particularly demanding. There’s a cause they joke that at Pinehurst, they don’t monitor greens in regulation They monitor greens visited in regulation. They’re not simply exhausting to hit. They’re exhausting to carry. Miss your spot and bye bye. There’s no tough on No. 2, in order that’s one other big distinction. However there are tons of sandy wastes with clumps of native grass that may trigger all types of distress, so you’ll be able to’t simply hit it anyplace off the tee.. A pointy brief sport is essential in any main. However distance management goes to be essential on approaches, so if I had 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 reduce PGA)?

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

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

Wall: Making it 72 holes can 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 except he needs 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 fantastic match for Bryson. It’s additionally been enjoyable to watch what looks like a renewed lightness of spirit in him. He appears like he’s completely having fun with his position as an entertainer, which might be making his golf higher too.

Sens: Bryson does appear in a fantastic place each mentally and bodily. My guess is that Pinehurst isn’t the form of course that he’ll be capable of bend as simply to his will along with his energy, a minimum of not as he did at Valhalla. However we already know he’s received US Open-winning sport. Arduous to not rank him among the many prime 5 prospects heading into the week. 

Wall: I can’t identify one other LIV professional I’d take over Bryson. Brooks Koepka has the main championship pedigree and is aware of how one can take care of 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 alternative. 

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

Marksbury: I’m wanting ahead to seeing some potential next-gen rivalries in motion. Along with Scottie’s dominance, we’ve gamers like newly-minted main champ Xander Schauffele and two-time main winner Collin Morikawa seemingly peaking all on the identical time. This ought to be a barn-burner of a serious, 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. However bodily points apart, he has appeared 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 preserve his unimaginable 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 unimaginable consistency at golf’s most grueling main check. 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 change into 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 current reader survey performed by GOLF.com, we gathered your ideas on a variety of etiquette matters. A number of the most fascinating solutions had been concerning probably the most annoying golfer habits. Right here’s what our readers mentioned. What’s your reply?

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

Sens: I aspect with our readers on gradual play. However apart from that, I’d say the golfer who talks incessantly about his/her personal sport, providing excuses and narrating pictures at the same time as you’re standing there watching them your self. That will get outdated quick. Mood tantrums could be off placing too. However these are so pathetic that they are often humorous, so a minimum of 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 again.” It’s not going to hearken to you. Silence is at all times most popular.