Scheffler’s dominance, U.S. Open preview

Test 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 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 choosing him since he’s by no means received a serious exterior of Augusta Nationwide?

Jessica Marksbury, senior editor (@jess_marksbury): It feels not possible to guess in opposition to Scottie Scheffler as of late. I’m struggling to search out any metric that may 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 certainly one of his most spectacular stats. He hasn’t missed a lower in practically two years. He hasn’t completed exterior 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 recreation is so full, it will probably 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 stated, his recreation travels. I hate choosing the chalk at a serious, however I can’t see anybody chasing him down at Pinehurst. 

2. Pinehurst No. 2 will play a main function 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 totally different is the Donald Ross design in comparison with more moderen main stops, and what sort of participant/recreation 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. Yow will discover — and play! — a ball from nearly anyplace. (An ideal boon for us leisure gamers!) However even on the professional degree, I feel that might 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 tooth, so I’m betting on the fellows with severe 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 motive they joke that at Pinehurst, they don’t observe greens in regulation They observe greens visited in regulation. They’re not simply laborious to hit. They’re laborious to carry. Miss your spot and bye bye. There’s no tough on No. 2, in order that’s one other large distinction. However there are tons of sandy wastes with clumps of native grass that may trigger all types of distress, so you may’t simply hit it anyplace off the tee.. A pointy quick recreation 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 trying carefully on the iron recreation. 

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 12 months (sixtieth Masters, missed lower PGA)?

Marksbury: Tiger’s latest 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 nicely for Tiger. I anticipate him to make the lower, 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 have the ability to depend on his guts and guile however with out the painfully hilly stroll. I might see his quick recreation–and his psychological recreation– holding 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 fuel earlier than the ultimate spherical. I don’t see issues altering this week until he needs to extend the pre-major match reps. 

4. Bryson DeChambeau has been LIV’s finest main performer this 12 months, 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 an important 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 totally having fun with his function as an entertainer, which might be making his golf higher too.

Sens: Bryson does appear in an important place each mentally and bodily. My guess is that Pinehurst just isn’t the type of course that he’ll have the ability to bend as simply to his will together with his energy, at the very least not as he did at Valhalla. However we already know he’s received US Open-winning recreation. Exhausting to not rank him among the many prime 5 prospects heading into the week. 

Wall: I can’t title one other LIV professional I’d take over Bryson. Brooks Koepka has the foremost championship pedigree and is aware of how one can 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 ought to be on everybody’s radar?

Marksbury: I’m trying ahead to seeing some potential next-gen rivalries in motion. Along with Scottie’s dominance, we’ve got gamers like newly-minted main champ Xander Schauffele and two-time main winner Collin Morikawa seemingly peaking all on the similar 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 harm. 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 usually 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 grow 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 carried out by GOLF.com, we gathered your ideas on a variety of etiquette subjects. A few of the most fascinating solutions had been relating to essentially the most annoying golfer habits. Right 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 enjoying the identical tee as my group, I usually have to face round for what seems like ages ready for my enjoying companions to get going. Annoying!

Sens: I facet with our readers on sluggish play. However except for that, I’d say the golfer who talks incessantly about his/her personal recreation, providing excuses and narrating pictures whilst you’re standing there watching them your self. That will get previous quick. Mood tantrums might be off placing too. However these are so pathetic that they are often humorous, so at the very least 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.