U.S. Open: SB Nation employees predicts winners for Pinehurst No. 2

The U.S. Open returns to Pinehurst No. 2 for the primary time since 2014, when Martin Kaymer obliterated the sector en path to his second main title. The German received by eight strokes that yr, as solely three gamers completed under-par for the week.

This golf course doesn’t characteristic the gnarly, deep, and luscious tough that often characterizes a U.S. Open. As a substitute, sandy waste areas with crabgrass line Pinehurst’s fairways, thus reminding all who play it that they’re within the coronary heart of the Carolinas.

However what makes Pinehurst No. 2 so tough are its placing surfaces.

“The greens are simply treacherous. They’re all turtleback,” defined former PGA Tour professional turned Golf Channel broadcaster Peter Jacobsen to Taking part in By.

“It’s a must to intention for the center of the greens if you play Pinehurst No. 2 and hope it stays on the inexperienced. It’s a wide-open course off the tee. It’s not a precision driving course however an exacting iron strategy course.”

U.S. Open, Pinehurst No. 2 — The inexperienced on the par-5 fifth at Pinehurst No. 2.

With this in thoughts, we like gamers with cast-iron play and artful quick video games to do effectively on the 2024 U.S. Open. So let’s get to our Employees Picks, with Matt Warren from SB Nation’s NFL web site filling in as our visitor picker for the third main of the yr:

Jack Milko — Employees Author, Golf

In my three daring predictions, I famous that a world participant will win the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2 for the third straight time.

As such, I’m going with Ludvig Åberg to win his first main championship on one in all golf’s hallowed grounds.

The sweet-swinging Swedish phenom is an exceptional ball striker, a necessity for this course. He ranks third on the PGA Tour in proximity to the outlet, a statistic that demonstrates his beautiful accuracy. He additionally finds loads of greens, doing so at roughly a 69% clip, good for twentieth on tour.

However his quick recreation additionally impresses me. Though his strokes gained numbers don’t soar off the web page, he ranks thirteenth on the PGA Tour this season in scrambling share at 66.38%. He additionally simply completed the Memorial Event, held on a difficult Muirfield Village, rating [6th] in strokes gained: across the inexperienced.

His placing numbers should not spectacular both. But, in his main debut at Augusta Nationwide this previous April, he gained two strokes on the greens, per DataGolf. That ranked first within the subject, and Augusta’s greens are infamous for his or her wild undulations.

Though Augusta and Pinehurst don’t share many comparisons, their greens characteristic loads of slopes and bumps. Plus, like this yr’s Masters, gamers will face a agency and quick No. 2, and contemplating Åberg thrived at Augusta this yr, I imagine he does that and them some this week.

His knee appears wholesome, too, as evidenced by his robust week on the Memorial. So, give me Åberg to win his first main at Pinehurst No. 2.

DraftKings Odds: +2000

Ludvig Åberg, PGA Championship — Ludvig Åberg smiles through the first spherical of the 2024 PGA Championship.

Matt Warren — Affiliate Director, SB Nation NFL

Within the 3 times Pinehurst No. 2 has hosted the U.S. Open, solely 4 gamers mixed have completed below par, with the 2005 winner—Michael Campbell—ending at even.

Scottie Scheffler is dominating in so many accuracy statistics—together with driving share, greens in regulation, and strategy—that I believe correct photographs off the tee and into these doubtlessly loopy greens are what will get him over the hump to win his first U.S. Open.

I do know it’s the secure decide and really boring, however he solely has one end exterior the highest 10 all yr, and it was 5 months in the past at The American Categorical. His historic season continues in North Carolina as he’ll win his second main of 2024.

DraftKings Odds: +300

Scottie Scheffler, U.S. Open — Scottie Scheffler performs a shot through the ultimate spherical of the 2023 U.S. Open on the Los Angeles Nation Membership.

Savannah Richardson — Employees Author, Golf

Bryson DeChambeau is my decide.

I by no means thought I might make this selection. If anybody is aware of my historical past with Bryson, it’s a shocker.

Nonetheless, he performed effectively on the PGA Championship, which I noticed firsthand. And but, this previous week, DeChambeau admitted he didn’t have his greatest stuff at Valhalla regardless of ending one stroke behind Xander Schauffele at 20 below par.

If he retains his mustache, he’ll win the U.S. Open trophy for a second time. I like his recreation for Pinehurst, so I’m going with my intestine on this one and choosing DeChambeau.

DraftKings Odds: +1600

Bryson DeChambeau, U.S. Open — Bryson DeChambeau on the 2023 U.S. Open.

For all different sports activities betting content material, take a look at SB Nation’s DraftKings web site.

Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By. You’ll want to take a look at @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You possibly can observe him on Twitter @jack_milko as effectively.