It’s time for the third Major of the year with the US Open. The tournament will be played for the 4th time at Pinehurst number two in Pinehurst, North Carolina.

Pinehurst number two hosted the US Open in 1999, 2005 and 2014. Martin Kaymer won in 2014. He led wire to wire and it was as though he was playing a different course than everyone else. He finished at nine under with Rickie Fowler and Erik Compton finishing tied for 2nd at one under par. No other golfer was under par on the week.

Pinehurst is a Donald Ross designed 7,550 yard par 70 with Champion Underdwarf Bermuda greens. There are 117 bunkers on the course. There are four par threes, two par fives and twelve par fours.

The par fives are long and likely won’t gift many eagles but  will offer birdie opportunities. The par threes are very long with three ranging from 200-250 yards. The 242 yard 6th hole is the longest of the par threes and plays as the hardest hole on the course.

The par fours are no cake walk either. There are three par fours that measure over over 500 yards. The 536 yard 16th hole has a bogey rate of 32% and a double or worse rate over five percent. There are also five par fours ranging 450-500 yards, two from 400-450 yards and two 350-400 yards.

The course plays extremely long and difficult. Eleven holes on the course have a bogey rate of 20% or higher with four holes boasting a bogey rate over 30 percent.

Pinehurst is very unique in the fact that there is no rough. If golfers miss these wide fairways they will be forced to play out of native areas. The native areas consist of sand and various grass types and lengths. You may hear the term wire grass throughout the week. It is long and thick. Not every missed fairway will be created equal. Some my have a fine 2nd shot while others may be in a world of hurt. It all depends on the lie.

Hitting fairways is relatively easy but is necessary for golfers looking to contend. Around 70% of fairways are hit at Pinehurst. Distance off the tee will certainly help considering the length of the course but a combination of accuracy and power is preferred. With the firmness of the course there will be plenty of runoff so even shorter hitters will get some extra distance which places even more emphasis on hitting fairways.

As with most Donald Ross designs these greens resemble the upside down bowl with runoffs into collection areas. Greens will be missed especially considering the length of many approach shots. Many approach shots will likely come from 200+ yards and the shape and firmness will certainly make holding the green difficult.

Around the green and scrambling will certainly be a necessity this week. With no rough, golfers will have to have touch and creativity around these greens which is concerning for some. Putting from tight lies could be the preferred strategy. Speaking of putting; 3-putts absolutely come into play here. Strong lag putting is a must.

Overall many skillsets can contend at Pinehurst but ultimately avoiding blowup holes will go a long way. An emphasis on accuracy and short game is likely the preferred route.

There are 156 golfers in the field with the top 60 and ties making the cut after 36 holes.

2024 US Open: The Key Stats

Fairways Gained
Around the Green
Scrambling
Approach
3 Putt Avoidance

Recent Winners

2023: Wyndham Clark -10(LACC)
2022: Matt Fitzpatrick -6(Brookline)
2021: Jon Rahm -6(Torrey Pines)
2020: DeChambeau -6(Winged Foot)
2019: Gary Woodland -13(Pebble Beach)

Golfers Profiles

*All stats/results prior to conclusion of the Memorial and LIV-Houston

Scottie Scheffler $13,000

Not sure if you’re aware but Scottie Scheffler is really good at golf. His worst finish this year was 17th back in January at the AMEX. He’s finished top ten in all eleven other tournaments including four wins.

Over the last 24 rounds he’s 1st on approach, 1st off the tee, 1st in bogey avoidance, 4th in fairways gained and 7th around the green.

Last 8 Major Appearances

3rd and 2nd last two US Opens

2024
PGA 8th
Masters 1st

2023
the Open 23rd
US Open 3rd
PGA 2nd
Masters 10th

2024
the Open 21st
US Open 2nd

Rory Mcllroy $12,100

Rory won overseas earlier this year and then went into a bit of a lull. He wasn’t playing bad but wasn’t contending. Over his last three tournaments he won at the Wells Fargo, 12th at the PGA and 4th at the Canadian Open.

Over the last 24 rounds he’s 3rd on approach, 3rd in bogey avoidance, 7th off the tee and 4th in driving distance.

Last 8 Major Appearances

2nd and 5th last two US Opens

2024
PGA 12th
Masters 23rd

2023
the Open 6th
US Open 2nd
PGA 7th
Masters MC

2022
the Open 3rd
US Open 5th

Xander Schauffele $11,500

Xander has been one of the best and most consistent golfers on the planet in 2024. He’s fresh off his 1st win at a Major hoisting the Wanamaker trophy at the PGA Championship. He also has eight other top 10 finishes this year.

Xander is 2nd in bogey avoidance, 2nd in strokes gained off the tee, 6th on approach and 15th in sand saves.

Last 8 Major Appearances

2024
PGA 1st
Masters 9th

2023
the Open 17th
US Open 10th
PGA 18th
Masters 10th

2022
the Open 15th
US Open 14th

Jon Rahm $10,900

Rahm hasn’t looked like himself since moving over to LIV. There’s something wrong mentally and it showed with his performances at the Masters and especially missing the cut at the PGA Championship. He’s been ok on LIV finishing in the top 10 in all but it’s hard to quantify how good that really is considering it’s LIV.

So far on LIV this year, Rahm is 1st in birdies, 6th in driving distance, 13th in fairway percentage, 6th in scrambling, 8th in putting and 8th in greens in regulation.

Rahm was forced to withdraw from LIV Houston due to a cut on his foot that caused pain and discomfort. It’s not yet known if it will put his status for the US Open in jeopardy.

Last 8 Major Appearances

2024
PGA MC
Masters 45th

2023
the Open 2nd
US Open 10th
PGA 50th
Masters 1st

2022
the Open 34th
US Open 12th

Bryson DeChambeau $10,100

Bryson looked great at the Masters and PGA Championship with 6th and 2nd place finishes. He already has a US Open win back in 2020 albeit on an entirely different course. Bryson is a very strategic golfer and it’ll be interesting to see how he attempts to tackle Pinehurst.

So far this year on LIV, Bryson has four top tens in seven appearances. He’s 1st in driving distance, 1st in eagles gained, 9th in greens in regulation and 9th in scrambling.

Last 8 Major Appearances

2024
PGA 2nd
Masters 6th

2023
the Open 60th
US Open 20th
PGA Championship 4th
Masters MC

2022
the Open 8th
US Open 56th

Brooks Koepka $10,000

Despite being a perennial contender at Majors, Koepka has not shown up so far this year. He came 45th at the Masters and completely ejected on Saturday at the PGA Championship. He ended up finishing 26th after being in contention the first two days.

Overall its been an uneventful year overall for Koepka. He did win in Singapore but otherwise only has two other top ten finishes. His best finish outside of those is a 12th and 45th is his worst. So far this year Koepka’s 6th in greens in regulation, 8th in birdies made and14th in scrambling.

Last Eight Major Appearances

2024
PGA 26th
Masters 45th

2023
the Open 64th
US Open 17th
PGA 1st
Masters 2nd

2022
the Open MC
US Open 55th

Viktor Hovland $9,800

After and incredible 2023, Viktor had a rough start to 2024. After improving around the greens last year, he opened 2024 losing strokes around the green in seven straight tournaments. He was able to clean it up gaining in all major strokes gained metrics at the PGA Championship finishing in 3rd place.

The around the green game could be a major concern considering how heavily it could be relied upon around Pinehurst. It’s possible his elite ball striking and putting can lead to success. Hivland has played well at Majors to this point of his career.

Last 8 Major Appearances

2024
PGA 3rd
Masters MC

2023
the Open 13th
US Open 19th
PGA 2nd
Masters 7th

2022
the Open 4th
US Open MC

Ludvig Aberg $9,600

The respect that Ludvig garners from the sportsbooks and community at such an early age is impressive. It’s also warranted. His game translates to many different styles of courses. He has five top-10 finishes in eleven tournaments this year. He’s gained strokes off the tee and in approach in all but two tournaments this year.

A knee injury derailed him at the PGA Championship. He looks to be quite healthy so far at the Memorial but it could be something to monitor for the foreseeable future.

Over the last 24 rounds, Ludvig is 4th in strokes gained off the tee, 10th in bogey avoidance, 11th in sand saves and 13th in driving distance.

Major Appearances

2024
PGA MC
Masters 2nd

Collin Morikawa $9,400

Collin is in some of the best form of any golfer coming into the US Open. Over his last five tournaments he has three top five finishes. Two of which were at Majors. His worst finish was a 16th at the Wells Fargo.

He’s significantly improved off the tee and around the green. He’s always been a great iron player but curiously lost strokes on approach for most of 2024. He has however gained on approach in his last two tournaments.

Over the last 24 rounds, Collin is 2nd in fairways gained, 2nd in strokes gained around the green, and 6th in strokes gained off the tee.

Last 8 Major Appearances

2024
PGA 4th
Masters 3rd

2023
the Open Mc
US Open 14th
PGA 26th
Masters 10th

2022
the Open MC
US Open 5th

Patrick Cantlay $9,200

Cantlay has been awful for most of 2024. He has 3rd and 4th place finishes at the Heritage and Genesis but otherwise has finished outside the top-25 six times in eleven tournaments. He’s only gained strokes on approach three times this year.

Over the last 24 Rounds, Cantlay is 102nd on approach, 52nd off the tee, 108th in bogey avoidance and 120th in fairways gained.

Last 8 Major Appearances

2024
PGA 53rd
Masters 22nd

2023
the Open 33rd
US Open 14th
PGA 9th
Masters 14th

2022
the Open 8th
US Open 14th

Wyndham Clark $9,000

The defending US Open Champion started the year in great form. He won at a shortened Pebble Beach event and had two runner up finishes at the API and PLAYERS. He also came 3rd at the Heritage.

Fast forward to recently and Clark has not looked as good. He finished 47th at the Wells Fargo, missed the cut at the PGA Championship and missed the cut this week at the Memorial.

The recent form is concerning but Wyndham’s game could play well at Pinehurst. He’s long off the tee and can catch fire with the putter.

Last 8 Major Appearances

2024
PGA MC
Masters MC

2023
the Open 33rd
US Open 1st
PGA MC

2022
the Open 76th
US Open MC

2021
US Open MC

Justin Thomas $8,900

It’s been an interesting year for JT so far. He started the year with 3rd and 6th place finishes then had three missed cuts and a 64th over his next six tournaments. He’s played much better recently coming 5th at the Heritage, 21st at Wells Fargo and 8th at the PGA Championship.

The problem has been putting and consistency. He continually seems to lose focus with random blowup holes and even rounds. His game should translate to Pinehurst with his ball striking and creativity around the greens but will ultimately come down to putting.

Over the last 24 rounds he’s 11th on approach, 11th in driving distance, 14th around the green and 16th in bogey avoidance.

Last 8 Major Appearances

2024
PGA 8th
Masters MC

2023
the Open MC
US Open MC
PGA 65th
Masters MC

2022
the Open 53rd
US Open 37th

Cam Smith $8,700

We haven’t really seen much of a ceiling from Cam this year. He has 2nd place finishes at Singapore and Hong Kong but has been rather pedestrian otherwise on LIV.

You can certainly make a case that this is likely the best venue for Cam to win a US Open. He’s an absolute wizard on and around the greens and the firm fast conditions offset any concerns about his lack of distance off the tee. The main concern is accuracy off the tee. If he gets too wild and finds himself with too many horrific lies even he may not be able to scramble his way out.

In 2024 on LIV, Cam is 1st in putting, 19th in scrambling 12th in birdies but he’s 47th in fairways gained.

Last 8 Major Appearances

2024
PGA 63rd
Masters 6th

2023
the Open 33rd
US Open 4th
PGA 9th
Masters 34th

2022
the Open 1st
US Open MC

Max Homa $8,600

Homa has been up and down all year. He missed the cut at the Charles Schwab came 35th at the PGA Championship. He previously finished 8th at the Wells Fargo and had a 3rd place finish at the Masters.

He really has been struggling off the tee losing strokes in six of his last seven tournaments. Over the last 24 rounds he’s 140th off the tee.

Homa had never really played all that well at Majors outside of a 13th place at the PGA Championship in 2022. But at the Open Championship last year he finished 10th. He followed it up with another top 10 finishing 3rd at the Masters this year.

Last 8 Major Appearances

2024
PGA 35th
Masters 3rd

2023
the Open 10th
US Open MC
PGA 55th
Masters 43rd

2022
the Open MC
US Open 47th

Tommy Fleetwood $8,500

Fleetwood hasn’t really been contending for a win so far in 2024 but has played well. He’s only missed one cut in eleven tournaments. He has top 10 finishes and most recently came 21st at the Canadian Open and 26th at the PGA Championship.

Pinehurst should fit Tommy’s game quite well. You need to be accurate and crafty around the greens. Tommy is 7th in fairways gained, 6th around the green, 5th in sand saves and 4th in bogey avoidance.

Last 8 Major Appearances

2024
PGA 26th
Masters 3rd

2023
the Open 10th
US Open 5th
PGA 18th
Masters 33rd

2022
the Open 4th
US Open MC

Will Zalatoris $8,300

Zalatoris hasn’t been the same since coming back from injury. He’s shown flashes here and there but the swing changes have affected his game especially his distance.

He is still effective with his irons rating out 16th on approach over the last 24 rounds. It’s hard to see him as a fit for Pinehurst though. He’s 132nd around the green, 89th in bogey avoidance and 99th in sand saves. He has performed well in Majors so far in his career.

Last 8 Major Appearances

2024
PGA 43rd
Masters 9th

2022
the Open 22nd
US Open 2nd
PGA 2nd
Masters 6th

2021
US Open MC
PGA 8th

Matt Fitzpatrick $8,200

Fitz will randomly show up here and there but it’s very difficult to know when. He does have four top 15 finishes this year but also has four missed cuts and has finished outside the top-20 five other times. Fitzpatrick did win the US Open back in 2022 but was in much better form.

Over the last 24 rounds he’s outside the top 50 in strokes gained approach, off the tee and around the green.

Last 8 Major Appearances

2024
PGA Mc
Masters 22nd

2023
the Open 41st
US Open 17th
PGA Mc
Masters 10th

2022
the Open 21st
US Open 1st

Tony Finau $8,100

Finau hasn’t really sniffed contention for most of the year outside of a 2nd at the Houston Open and 6th at the Farmers. He’s been striking the ball very well but the putter has been his Achilles heal. He’s lost strokes putting in six straight tournaments.

At this price you don’t need him to win but have to hope he can sink enough putts to be relevant. Over the last 24 rounds Finau is 10th in driving distance, 15th on approach and 15th around the green.

Fianu also hasn’t faired very well at Majors over the last couple years.

Last 8 Major Appearances

2024
PGA 18th
Masters 55th

2023
the Open MC
US Open 32nd
PGA 72nd
Masters 26th

2022
the Open 28th
US Open MC

Hideki Matsuyama $8,000

Matsuyama is an absolute wild card considering his propensity to randomly show up and look like one of the best golfers in the world. On the other hand he’s a risk to withdraw from any tournament with a neck or back injury.

Hideki win earlier this year at the Genesis and followed it up with a 12th at the API, 6th at the PLAYERS and 7th at the Valero. He followed that run up with a 38th at the Masters, then withdrew from the Wells Fargo and came 35th at the PGA Championship.

As long as he’s not injured, Matsuyama”s game should translate to Pinehurst. Over the last 24 rounds he’s 1st around the green, 5th in bogey avoidance, 10th in sand saves and 14th on approach.

Last 8 Major Appearances

2024
PGA 35th
Masters 38th

2023
the Open 13th
US Open 32nd
PGA 29th
Masters 16th

2022
the Open 68th
US Open 4th

Jordan Spieth $7,900

Another golfer that just hasn’t been able to get it together this year is Spieth. He’s missed four cuts since the PLAYERS and outside if a 10th place finish at Valero his best finish is a 29th. He’s driving the ball very well but cannot hit his irons. He’s only gained strokes on approach in two tournaments over that span.

Over the last 24 rounds he’s 116th on approach, he’s 3rd off the tee, 66th in bogey avoidance and 17th in fairways gained.

Pinehurst should theoretically be a good course for Spieth’s game but he needs to clean up the irons a bit and avoid making so many bogeys.

Last 8 Major Appearances

2024
PGA 43rd
Masters MC

2023
the Open 23rd
US Open MC
PGA 29th
Masters 4th

2022
the Open 8th
US Open 37th

Tyrell Hatton $7,800

Hatton has been pretty good on LIV to this point. His worst finish was a 21st in Hong Kong. He has three top tens on LIV and came 9th at the Masters. He struggled at the PGA Championship finishing 63rd.

So far this year in LIV he’s 13th in birdies made, 5th in scrambling and 3rd in putting. This could actually be a good course for Hatton as long as he doesn’t get an unfavorable lie and lose his mind. Bermuda is also his best putting surface.

Last 8 Major Appearances

2024
PGA 63rd
Masters 9th

2023
the Open 20th
US Open 27th
PGA 15th
Masters 34th

2022
the Open 11th
US Open 56th

Shane Lowry $7,700

Lowry has had a few high end finishes so far this year. He came 4th at the Cognizant, 3rd at the API and 6th at the PGA Championship. He missed the cut in his first tournament this year back at the AMEX but that was his only missed cut in 11 appearances.

He’s been striking the ball incredibly well gaining strokes off the tee in all but one tournament. He’s gained strokes on approach in ten of eleven tournaments. Over the last 24 rounds he’s 15th in strokes gained off the tee, 18th on approach. It all comes down to the putter with Lowry which is a bit of a concern especially considering Bermuda is his worst surface.

Last 8 Major Appearances

2024
PGA 6th
Masters 43rd

2023
the Open MC
US Open 20th
PGA 12th
Masters 16th

2022
the Open 21st
US Open MC

Sahith Theegala $7,600

Theegala is another golfer who is very boom bust. He’s basically competing for a win or completely irrelevant. He makes bogeys and then makes a ton of birdies. He has five top-10 finishes so far this year.

Pinehurst could be interesting for Sahith considering how creative he can get but his inaccuracies off the tee at times and erratic around the green game could be a concern. Over the last 24 rounds he’s 10th on approach, 17th off the tee and 22nd in bogey avoidance.

Last 8 Major Appearances

2024
PGA 12th
Masters 45th

2023
the Open MC
US Open 27th
PGA 40th
Masters 9th

2022
the Open 34th

2021
US Open MC

Cam Young $7,500

Cam missed his first cut of the year at the Canadian Open. His best finish over his last four tournaments is a 34th at the Wells Fargo. He’s been wildly inconsistent to this point. He’s had four top 10s and has finished outside the top 30 eight times.

Over the last 24 rounds Cam is 40th on approach, 43rd off the tee, 108th around the green and 91st in fairways gained.

Last 8 Major Appearances

2024
PGA 63rd
Masters 9th

2023
the Open 8th
US Open 32nd
PGA MC
Masters 7th

2022
the Open 2nd
US Open MC