The 2024 U.S. Open is set to start on June 13th. Pinehurst is the host for the sports betting event, and this is not the first time we have seen the U.S. Open at Pinehurst.
We took a deep dive into the course setup, some U.S. Open history at Pinehurst, and a few of the top contenders ahead of this event.
If you are trying to line up your picks for the 2024 U.S. Open, this is all the information you should need.
History of Pinehurst and the U.S. Open
Pinehurst plays a big role in U.S. Open history. Although there are nine golf courses at Pinehurst, No.2 is by far the most famous and the one used for the U.S. Open.
The Donald Ross Course is known for being set up to challenge the best players in the world. The 1999, 2005, and 2014 U.S. Opens were held at Pinehurst. Payne Stewart won the 1999 event. This iconic win was made even more important when Stewart died just a few months later.
Michael Campbell and Martin Kaymer are the other two Pinehurst U.S. Open champions.
The course is known for its crowned greens and demanding shot placement. You have to be a great ball striker, be prepared to miss a few greens, and still be able to get up and down. When Campbell won, he was ranked 80th in the world and happened to know how to tackle Pinehurst No. 2.
Recent U.S. Open Champions
To win a U.S. Open, you have to play four solid rounds of golf and manage the pressure of a Sunday afternoon. The last few U.S. Open champions are Rory McIlroy, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Jon Rahm, and Bryson DeChambeau.
Rory has been playing great golf lately, but Rahm seems to be in a bit of a slump compared to his performance in 2021.
Outright - Winner Each Way - Bryson DeChambeau
However, Bryson also really plays great golf. Matthew Fitzpatrick is up and down but comes into major championships with lots of data and plans to help him succeed.
Something that could help on a course like Pinehurst No. 2.
Pinehurst No.2 - What Will It Take to Win?
Not every golf course at Pinehurst is as difficult or even as well maintained at No.2. The fairways are incredibly narrow, and the rough is thick.
We saw this at Valhalla just a few weeks ago, as players who missed the fairways struggled to save par from that point forward.
Pinehurst No.2 also typically has firm, fast greens with a lot of undulation. Players will need to be careful where they leave their shots. Although the course doesn’t have all that much water, there are bunkers everywhere, and they are placed just right.
The golfers who are the best at Pinehurst will have to hit accurate shots. In fact, accuracy is more important than distance. In addition, short game skills are going to be in high demand.
Smart golfers who know how to get up and down will have the edge.
Who’s In the Running for the 2024 U.S. Open?
Some of the top players considered in the running for the 2024 U.S. Open include Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Justin Thomas, Viktor Hovland, Xander Schauffele, Wyndham Clark, and Justin Rose.
Each of these players will have to manage the speed, undulations, and firmness of the greens at Pinehurst to stay in contention throughout the week.
Outright - Winner Each Way - Rory McIlroy
Keep a close eye on the golf odds at 888Sport and the details in this preview to help you make your picks for the 2024 U.S. Open Championship.
Final Thoughts
Golfers worldwide recognize the logo of Pinehurst No. 2 and know that the course has a special place in history.
The tournament is bound to be a great test of golf and a great look at how the best players in the game manage the most difficult conditions.
When Payne Stewart won, he was -1 after four rounds, and Michael Campbell was even par. The way the game has evolved, it will be interesting to see how low players can go.
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Alamy*
