The 124th edition of the United States Open Golf Championship tees it up on Thursday at the Pinehurst Resort's Number 2 Course in North Carolina.
One of the earliest courses in American golf history, Pinehurst was designed by the venerable Donald Ross who arrived at Pinehurst in 1900 as the golf professional and expanded his horizons by designing multiple sites on the property. Today the Pinehurst Resort has 10 golf courses and all of them are identified by a number. The Number 2 Course is their big boy test of golf and has hosted the 1936 PGA Championship, the 2024 U.S. Open, and a bunch of golfing tournaments of note in between. This will mark the fourth time that our National Open has been contested at Pinehurst.
Pinehurst is a very difficult course although golf course architect Donald Ross contended that it was "The finest test of championship golf I have ever designed. " That was his take on the Number 2 Course some 115 years ago in 1909. In the three previous National Opens at Pinehurst, Payne Stewart made a crucial final putt to win in 1999, Michael Campbell prevailed in 2005, and Martin Kaymer played rock solid golf to get his victory in 2014. It's hard to say what kind of golfer will capture the U.S. Open next Sunday. Stewart was always a factor at the majors and his '99 win was his third grand slam title. Campbell powered his way around Pinehurst during his winning campaign but he was just a one hit wonder when all was said and done, notably due to injuries. Kaymer was one of the game's top linksters in 2014 but he has largely dropped off the competitive golf map. It will play to a par of 70 and can be stretched out to 7,588 yards. There are massive native areas just off the fairway and the turtle backed greens are among the game's most difficult. Doesn't sound like anyone will be shooting -16 under par at Pinehurst this coming week.
The United States Golf Association held it U.S. Women's Open last week in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Yuka Saso shot a final round 68 and finished her 72 holes at -4 under par. She won by three strokes ahead of runner-up Hinako Shibono. They were the only two golfers under par. The USGA has been accused of setting up its courses too difficult for its championships, but their contention is that they are simply trying "to identify the world's best golfer." Expect the same for the men next week with par being a premium. The key to Saso's win? She was second in total driving, first in putting, and made 428 feet of putts. She obviously wasn't missing any short putts. By the way, Saso has only two wins. Both are U.S. Opens
Last year Yyndham Clark was in the midst of a break-out campaign with his first win on tour coming at the Wells Fargo in May. A journeyman by reputation, he took the big step forward by having a great first round at Los Angeles Country Club in last year's Open and then playing par golf as the course toughened up over the weekend. Clark came in at -10 under, beat Rory McIlroy by one stroke, and pocketed a nice check for $3.6 million. Consider Wyndham to more than likely be a one hit wonder as well.
Thus far we've seen Scottie Scheffler's dominance when winning the Masters in April and we've watched Xander Schauffele's break into the circle of major champions. Both of them drive it accurately and can get hot with the putter, and if that is the case for either Scottie or Xander, look for them to spend time on the leader board. Rory McIlroy has had a lot of close calls lately and it is only a matter of time before he collects that fifth career grand slam title. The mantle of best golfer without a major is now handed off to Patrick Cantlay and he too could be a factor at Pinehurst. Normally experienced golfers win our National Open, even if they may spend most of their careers flying under the radar.
The U.S. Open is truly open event. Approximately 80 golfers are exempt into the field. They have won majors over the last five years, are among the top 60 in the Official World Golf Rankings, or have won amateur events of note such as the British Amateur or the U.S. Amateur. Everyone else is in the field having gotten over the hurdle of "Golf's Longest Day." Held this past Monday, the Longest Day features 10 qualifying sites with contestants playing 36 holes in one day. Most of them have already survived regional qualifying just to get this far. The closest Open qualifier to us was held at Lake Merced Country Club in Daly City. Journeyman pros with success on the PGA Tour find themselves teeing it up next to truck drivers and teenagers. Known linksters such as Matt Kuchar and Daniel Berger qualified this past Monday as did relative unknowns such as Willie Mack III and amateur Jackson Buchanan.
It's time for the 124th running of the United States Open. Because of the tournament and the specialness of the site, expect golf history to be made next Sunday evening.
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