The fourth US Open at North Carolina’s Pinehurst No. 2 tees off today. This world-renowned course was recently named the first anchor site for the United States Golf Association (USGA). Over the next 25 years, Pinehurst No. 2 will host four more U.S. Opens in 2029, 2035, 2041, and 2047.
The world’s #1 ranked Scottie Scheffler enters the US Open as the favorite. Scheffler recently won the Memorial Tournament, marking his fifth PGA Tour title this year. A win this week would place him among elite golfers like Tiger Woods and Vijay Singh, who each won six titles in a season.
However, Collin Morikawa, a two-time major winner, could pose a challenge. Morikawa has finished no worse than tied for fourth in his last three events, including the PGA Championship, Charles Schwab Challenge, and the Memorial. Last week, he narrowly lost to Scheffler by one stroke at the Memorial.
Tiger Woods will also be in the mix, making his first US Open appearance since 2020, having missed the cut at Winged Foot Golf Club. Woods, a 15-time major champion, is familiar with Pinehurst No. 2, having played it in three previous US Opens.
“It doesn’t get much better than North Carolina hosting the US Open on our beautiful, challenging and storied Pinehurst No. 2,” said Governor Cooper in a press release. “This week’s tournament will provide world-class golf for fans in North Carolina and across the world along with a major economic boost for our state.”
NC boasts 520 golf courses, generating $2.3 billion in spending and an economic impact of $4.2 billion. The state’s golf industry supports nearly 53,000 jobs and wage income of $1.3 billion.
Pinehurst No. 2 is a par-70 with a total length of 7,540 yards.
Who do you think will win this week?
