It is officially U.S. Open week! For the fourth time in its history, and the first since 2014 when Martin Kaymer claimed his second career major championship victory, the U.S. Open will take place at Pinehurst No. 2 in Pinehurst, North Carolina! The 114th edition of the U.S. Open will also be the 1000th tournament hosted by the United States Golf Association (USGA). Below are some storylines to watch out for this week in the U.S. Open!
But before the storylines, here are some brief facts about the 2024 tournament:
The first U.S. Open held at Pinehurst No. 2 was in 1999 when the late Payne Stewart outlasted Phil Mickelson on Sunday to win his 2nd U.S. Open title. Michael Campbell (2005) and Martin Kaymer (2014) have also been victorious at U.S. Opens held at Pinehurst No. 2. Pinehurst is the only golf course in North Carolina that has hosted a Men’s U.S.
The defending champion at this year’s tournament will be Wyndham Clark, who took home his first major championship last year at the Los Angeles Country Club by one shot over Rory McIlroy. Clark will look to become the first golfer since Brooks Koepka to repeat as champion. Koepka successfully defended his 2017 title in 2018 with a victory at Shinnecock Hills.
Scottie Scheffler, who has won five times on the PGA Tour so far in 2024, enters the tournament as the favorite to win. Scheffler’s best finish in a U.S. Open was in 2022 at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts when he finished runner-up to Matthew Fitzpatrick.
PHIL MICKELSON GOES FOR THE CAREER GRAND SLAM
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 15: Phil Mickelson of the United States greets fans as he leaves the 11th green during the first round of the 123rd U.S. Open Championship at The Los Angeles Country Club on June 15, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
We enter our third consecutive Major Championship with a chance at seeing the career grand slam being completed. This time it’s Phil Mickelson looking to complete the slam. He has come so close so many times and looks to finally do it at a course where he once finished runner-up. In fact, Mickelson has been the runner-up in the U.S. Open a record SIX times and his first 2nd place finish was at Pinehurst No. 2 when he lost to Payne Stewart. Can the six time major champion finally complete the career grand slam this week at Pinehurst?
THE AMERICAN MAJOR CHAMPION SWEEP IS STILL IN PLAY
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – MAY 19: Xander Schauffele of the United States poses with the Wanamaker Trophy after winning the final round of the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club on May 19, 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Speaking of grand slams, golfers from the United States have won the first two majors of 2024, which means the American sweep of the majors is still in play. The last time the Americans swept all four majors was in 1982. In 2020 an American won all the majors played, but due to COVID-19, the Open Championship was not played, so the “grand slam” sweep still hasn’t happened since the early 80’s. Can the Americans finally claim all four majors in a year?
JON RAHM…WHAT CAN WE EXPECT?
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 12: Jon Rahm of Spain reacts on the seventh green during the second round of the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2024 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
As I type this out Jon Rahm is still in the field for the tournament. However, Rahm was forced to withdraw from LIV Houston over the weekend after he sustained an injury. If the 2021 champ does play, what can expect out of him? If his results in the majors so far in 2024 speak for what we can expect….there isn’t much to expect. His title defense at The Masters ended up in a T45 and he didn’t see the weekend at Valhalla in the PGA Championship. 2024 has honestly been a terrible one for Rahm and the standards we expect out of him and as of right now things look like they’ll continue to go down the wrong path.
UPDATE: Jon Rahm has withdrawn from the U.S. Open due to a foot injury.
TIGER WOODS AND HIS SPECIAL EXEMPTION
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 12: Tiger Woods of the United States plays a shot on the first hole during the second round of the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2024 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
The three-time U.S. Open champion was given a special exemption into this year’s tournament after his exemptions from winning the 2019 Masters expired. There was never really a doubt that Tiger was going to get into the 2024 U.S. Open, but how will he make use of that exemption? This will be Woods’ first U.S. Open appearance since 2020 and just his 8th since 2010. Can Tiger return to major championship contention this week at Pinehurst or are we possibly watching him play in one of his final U.S. Open’s?
HOW TOUGH WILL THE USGA MAKE PINEHURST No. 2?
PINEHURST, NORTH CAROLINA – JUNE 10: A detailed view of a tee marker is seen during a practice round prior to the U.S. Open at Pinehurst Resort on June 10, 2024 in Pinehurst, North Carolina. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
We are fresh off the PGA Championship having two players post 20-under or better, which makes me feel that the USGA will have Pinehurst in near impossible shape. We saw Lancaster Country Club bare its teeth in the U.S. Women’s Open a couple weeks ago and I expect the USGA to do the exact same thing this week on the Men’s side. In 2014 only three men finished under par for the tournament. The 2014 Champion, Martin Kaymer, was 9-under par for the week, while Rickie Fowler and Erik Compton ended at 1-under par. I feel that we’ll be looking at the Fowler/Compton number this week as the winner.
CAN COLLIN MORIKAWA CONTINUE GOOD MAJOR PLAY?
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 14: Collin Morikawa of the United States walks to the 11th tee during the final round of the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 14, 2024 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
There have been two majors so far in 2024 and Collin Morikawa has been in the final group on Sunday in both of them. However, he doesn’t have a win to show for it. He ended with a T3 at The Masters and a T4 at the PGA Championship. The two-time major champion has stalled out on Sunday’s this year shooting 2-over at Augusta and even par at Valhalla. Can Morikawa get himself in contention again this week at Pinehurst and get the third leg of the career grand slam? He’s coming off a solid solo 2nd at Jack’s Place last week, so he enters in terrific form.
WILL BRYSON DECHAMBEAU BE THE NEEDLE MOVER AGAIN?
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – MAY 19: Bryson DeChambeau of the United States reacts on the 18th green during the final round of the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club on May 19, 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Say what you will about Bryson…the guy brings the fireworks. And I will admit that the guy has me coming around on him after years of not being a fan. The final 19 holes (can’t forget his chip-in on 18 for eagle on Saturday) of his 2024 PGA Championship effort were extremely entertaining golf. So I ask this, can the 2020 U.S. Open champ bring the excitement once again this week? I’m not sure he’ll be able to top last month at Valhalla but I’d love to see him try!
