Four Irish golfers are participating at the US Open and hopefully a successful one for Rory McIlroy
The US Open will take centre stage at Pinehurst number 2. The 7,548 yard par 70 layout will host its first major since 2014 were Martin Kaymer was the victor. 12 LIV Tour players will be participating at this years US Open but not 2021 champion Jon Rahm as he withdrew. 156 golfers are participating which includes major champions Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, Brooks Koepka, Tiger Woods, Bryson DeChambeau and Collin Morikawa. Thunderstorms is possible both on Friday and Saturday but hopefully the bad weather doesn’t stop play.
McIlroy’s first major win was a US Open at Congressional in 2011. The Northern Irishman has a score average of -2 for last seven US Open’s which includes finishing runner-up to Wyndham Clark in 2023. McIlroy has won 43 tournaments on both DP World Tour & PGA Tour but is without a major win since 2014 PGA Championship. The four-time major champion is currently ranked third in PGA Tour Scoring Average category but is coming into US Open off a final round 76 at Muirfield Village. McIlroy will play his first two rounds with Scheffler & Schauffele starting on Thursday at 6:14PM.
Shane Lowry has played well this year especially in shooting an incredible round of 62 to finish tied sixth at PGA Championship. Lowry’s best finish at a US Open was a runner-up to Dustin Johnson in 2016 but unfortunately happened after been 54 hole leader. Offaly native strength is his iron play with currently ranked 14th on PGA Tour Approach the Greens category. It will be interesting to see what the response is from Lowry especially after finishing +12 at Memorial tournament. Lowry will play day one and two with Jake Knapp and Kaymer.
Seamus Power and Tom McKibbin will be both participating at Pinehurst due to qualifying for the US Open. McKibbin’s best finish this year was a fourth at Commercial Qatar Masters. Power has previous form at the US Open with finishing tied 12th at Brookline in 2022. McKibbin was paired with Logan McAllister and Michael McGowan for Thursday and Friday. Power was drawn to play alongside Frederick Kiettrup and Christopher Petefish starting on Thursday at 11:56AM.
Scheffler has won five times in 2024 including The Masters and comes into Pinehurst as overwhelming favourite. The most impressive thing about Scheffler is that he has a great ability to follow up a bogey with a birdie especially top of PGA Tour Bounce Back Ability category. Schauffele has been extremely consistent this year with ten top 10 finishes including a maiden major win at Valhalla. 2020 US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau is in great form after finishing tied sixth at Augusta and a runner-up to Schauffele at PGA Championship. Collin Morikawa is a leading contender due to two top five finishes at Augusta and Valhalla. Tommy Fleetwood is yet to win in America and his best US Open finish was in 2018 a runner-up to Koepka.