Blog#148 US OPEN  

Blog#148 US OPEN  

Pinehurst #2 CC NC

June 13-16, 2024 Par 70

PURSE $20M same as last year

HISTORY

Pinehurst is a golf resort with 11 courses.  Number 2 will host the US Open for the 4th time with Martin Kaymer winning 2014 and Payne Stewart in 1999.

My Prediction to win It is really hard not to pick Scheffler but this field is very strong with 5 strong LIV players.  Rham had some foot issues last week at their Houston tournament and his play has not been great.  DeChambeau placed 2nd at PGA and I pick him to win.

FAVORITES

1 S. Scheffler 4/1 The way he has played in the last 2 months it is hard not to pick him.

2 R. McIlroy 10/1 As most golf fans I would love to see him win.

3 X. Schauffele 12/1 Played ok at Memorial finished 8th but he could win, good bet.

4 J. Rahm 16/1 I think his game has declined since LIV, finished 55th at Masters.

5 V. Hovland 16/1 Hope he can avoid the meltdown he had at Memorial.

6 L. Alberg 18/1 I thought he had a chance at Memorial and finished 5th, could win.

7 B Koepka 20/1 Finished 47th at PGA & 45th at Masters, due for a good Major.

8 B DeChambeau 20/1 My pick to win and he led Masters after RD 1 and finished 6th.

9 C Morikawa 20/1 Great performance at Memorial beat Scheffler by 3 on final RD.

10 P Cantlay 25/1 Missed Cut +7 last week, 53rd at PGA, not his year.

11 C Smith 28/1 What he did to Rory at 2022 OPEN never count him out.

I will be very surprised if one of these 11 does not win!

LONGSHOTS

1 S Theegala 45/1 Only longshot with a chance to win if he can avoid costly mistakes.

2 W Clark 33/1 Last years winner missed a few cuts not played well this year.

3 D Johnson 50/1 Initially won at LIV but not lately, he is done as a major threat.

4 T Kim 50/1 Except for 3 nice RDs at Canadian Open has done nothing this year.

5 K Bradley 80/1 Maybe he will repeat next week at the Travelers but not this week.

6 B An 100/1 Like Theegala could surprise but can’t seem to put 4 RDs together.

7 C Bezuidenhout 200/1 Had 1 great RD last week at Memorial and finished 4th.

8 Eric Cole 300/1 Had a great 2023 at 32 rookie of the year finished last at Wells Fargo.

9 Harry Higgs 350/1 Won back to back Ken Ferry events and qualified for his 1st US Open.

10 Peter Malnati 400/1 Showed so much class after the death of Grayson Murray(Blog 143).

I don’t think any of these guys can win but I hope some make the cut or reach the top 10. 

Behind the 18th green at Pinehurst is this

Statue of Payne Stewart who won the US Open

here in 1999.  He died on Oct 25, 1999 in a 

Lear jet private plane crash.  The plane lost                       

cabin pressure and all 6 on board died.

It flew across country until it ran out of fuel and 

crashed in Mina South Dakota.  Besides being 

a great golfer he was known for his Knicker and 

Jeff cap outfits. He was well liked and is still 

one of the most beloved golfers ever.