The golf Major season continues with this week’s US Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Long Island, New York, which hosts the tournament for the 6th time and first since Brooks Koepka’s victory in 2018. Koepka, back on the PGA Tour after a stint with LIV Golf, is eyeing a 3rd success in this event, although his chances received a huge blow after he was forced to withdraw ahead of Sunday’s final round at the RBC Canadian Open because of a hand injury. Let's break down the main contenders for the US Open and take a look at Shinnecock Hills, before breaking down our US Open best bets and predictions for this week.
World #1 Scottie Scheffler would complete the Grand Slam with a win, and his form leading into the Major is strong, with 3 runner-up finishes and a 3rd-placed effort in his last six starts. Rory McIlroy has been experiencing issues with his driving over the past few weeks, admitting he feels limited with that club, and that doesn’t bode well given he missed the cut at Shinnecock 8 years ago. Cameron Young has won twice on the US circuit this year - at the Players Championship and Cadillac Championship - and the next step in his burgeoning career is to land his first Major.
Tommy Fleetwood, who finally won his first PGA Tour event last Fall with the Tour Championship, is another player who is looking to win one of the ‘big four’ events for the first time, and 2 top-5 results and a tied-11th effort from his last 4 starts make for positive reading. Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg is expected to garner big support as he goes in search of a first Major, while Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau are 2 LIV headliners this week.
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The United States Golf Association always sets up the course that is hosting the US Open, one of the most difficult tests of the season, with 5 of the last winning scores of this Major being -6 or worse.
Shinnecock was especially difficult when staging the 2018 edition, as Koepka lifted the trophy after finishing on +1, just a shot ahead of Fleetwood. Players finishing in the top 10 that year had scores at +7.
Shinnecock is a links-style course that is exposed, heavily bunkered and has small greens, so precise approach play is a necessity to stand any chance of winning. Meanwhile, being able to get up and down could also play a key part. With dry weather forecast, expect another tough week for players where birdies could be a rarity.
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Matt Fitzpatrick ticks all the boxes for what it takes to win at Shinnecock, as he bids to win this trophy for the 2nd time following his 2022 US Open triumph at The Country Club in Brookline. The Englishman has won 2 individual titles on the PGA Tour this season - the Valspar Championship and RBC Heritage - while he then partnered younger brother Alex to land the Zurich Classic. Fitzpatrick has shown up well at the 2 Majors this year, recording a top 20 at the Masters and a top 15 at the PGA Championship, and he is a player who often thrives when a course setup is demanding.
The 31-year-old is 4th in both strokes gained approach and greens in regulation this year, while he is also 18th in scrambling and 4th in SG around the green. Fitzpatrick, who shared 12th place at Shinnecock in 2018, was runner-up in Canada on Sunday, and his game looks to be in fine shape.
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Another player to watch out for is Xander Schauffele, who has never finished worse than tied-14th in 9 previous US Opens and impressed at Shinnecock in 2018 when taking 6th place. With 2 top-5 and 2 top-10 results in his last 7 starts, the American’s game is in fine fettle, and his affinity for links golf should also aid his cause. Schauffele won the 2024 Open Championship, and his ability to manage his way around difficult courses and adapt make him a dangerous contender.
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Australian Adam Scott has been showing solid form this season and he is worth considering to land his 2nd Major, with his sole success coming at the 2013 Masters. The 45-year-old is unrivalled in strokes gained approach, and his precise irons have helped him record 4th-placed finishes at the Genesis Invitational and Cadillac Championship this year. After a missed cut at the PGA Championship, Scott bounced back with a tied-12th effort at The Memorial Tournament, and that should have provided him with a big confidence boost in the lead-up to the US Open. If the Aussie can enjoy a good week on and around the greens, then he looks to have every chance of getting himself in contention for the win in New York.
