Golf’s 3rd major of the season is upon us, and this week all eyes are on Pinehurst #2. This iconic course has been the stage for many memorable moments in golf history (miss you, Payne!), and we're here to give you the lowdown on what to expect. So grab your favorite beverage, settle in, and let's dive in…
The Course: Pinehurst #2
Par: 70
Yards: 7,548
Previous US Opens (+Champs): 1999 (Payne Stewart), 2005 (Michael Campbell), 2014 (Martin Kaymer)
Weather Forecast: HOT & DRY conditions expected all four days.
Pinehurst #2, located in the heart of North Carolina, is a masterpiece designed by Donald Ross. Known for its crowned greens and strategically placed bunkers, Pinehurst #2 is a true test of precision and patience. The course is often described as a “thinking golfer’s course,” where strategy trumps brute strength. The greens are notoriously difficult, with severe runoffs – play to the middle of the green, or the golf ball may get it’s roll on more than the Big Tymers’ did back in 2000.
Can Anything Stop Scottie Scheffler?
The only things that have stopped Scottie Scheffler this season are a baby and felony charges. We’ve confirmed that Louisville PD Officer Gillis is not in North Carolina this week, and Meredith Scheffler isn’t having another baby this week – it’s going to be up to the field to give Scottie a run for his money, which has been rarer than you hitting a fairway so far this season. With 5 wins in this last 8 starts (plus two 2nd’s in that stretch), Scheffler is BY FAR the odds-on favorite to win this week with his odds sitting at +300, per ESPN BET. But as we know, golf is a fickle game, and Pinehurst’s tricky greens might be the only thing standing in his way. Keep an eye on Scottie; if he doesn’t “run over an officer and ruin his pants” this week, he just may add another trophy to his already historic 2024 season.
Things That COULD Happen This Week (but probably won’t)
Phil Mickelson will make his 11th attempt at winning the career grand slam, and he did finish in 2nd to Payne Stewart at Pinehurst in 1999. There’s zero chance this happens, Phil hasn’t finished higher than 22nd on the LIV tour in the past 3 months, and missed the cut badly at the PGA Championship.
Coming into the week, we liked 'bachelor' Rory McIlroy’s chances to finally end his major-less drought, but with news of Rory and his wife Erica dismissing their divorce, we are going stay away from Rory this week, as I’m sure so will Amanda Balionis.
A first time major champ? Maybe. And there are a few guys we’d love to see finally get it done; Max Homa, Tommy Fleetwood, Viktor Hovland to name a few.
Also, Tiger Woods could shock the world (again!)…
….So, What About Tiger?
Tiger arrived at Pinehurst this week with his son Charlie in tow as a “Player Advisor” with Tiger suggesting that no one has seen him hit more golf balls than his son, Charlie. There are rumors (as always) that Tiger’s game seems in better shape than it was at the PGA Championship with Charlie reportedly telling NBC’s Mike Tirico that Tiger’s short game is dialed, just needs to keep it in the fairway. A few things should work in his favor this week; a hot & dry weather forecast, early/late tee times and the nearest Perkins Diner being approximately 337 miles away but do we really think Tiger will ever contend again? If he can navigate the treacherous greens, perhaps we will see some vintage Tiger magic, but if I were a betting man, I’d venture to wager that Tiger misses the cut.
Our Pick To Win
Ok, so for this pick we are going to force ourselves to NOT pick Scottie, because picking Scottie would be easier than the cheerleaders in high school. There are some other guys to like this week; Collin Morikawa has been red hot, Bryson Dechambeau may be the most likeable golfer in the world right now, and Tommy Fleetwood is a fan favorite who has been close in US Opens before.
Brady's Pick: Xander Schauffele to win back-to-back majors after breaking through at last month’s PGA Championship. All Xander does is finish in the top 10, and the US Open fits his game so well, so why not??!
NoFace's Pick: Hideki Matsuyama to win his 2nd career major championship. Flying a bit under the radar, but he won earlier this year at the Genesis and plays well at tough venues.
The Winning Score?
We put up a poll recently on our @OnlyPins.Golf Instagram and 65% of you savages voted for wanting to see absolute CARNAGE at this year’s US Open. Well you sons-of-bitches, sign us up for some carnage baby! Look, we know these guys are the best golfers in the world (shut up LIV fans) but for one week out of the year, I thoroughly enjoy watching these guys struggle and absolutely meltdown like Phil did in 2018 .
Brady's Pick: Xander Schauffele wins at -3.
NoFace's Pick: Hideki Matsuyama wins at -7.
So there you have it, folks! Major golf is always exciting, and Pinehurst is such a great venue for this year’s 3rd major championship.
For those Father’s out there, Happy Father’s Day! To everyone else, happy golfing, and may your putts always find the bottom of the cup!