Pinehurst, North Carolina - The U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2 is shaping up to be an exciting golf tournament with Scottie Scheffler as the clear favorite to win. Scheffler, who has won five tournaments in 2024 and leads the tour in strokes gained: total, finished inside the top 10 in all but one tournament he played this year. His impressive play on the course has earned him a massive following and made him an overwhelming betting favorite for the U.S. Open.
However, golf is an unpredictable sport, and there are other players who could challenge Scheffler's dominance at Pinehurst No. 2. Max Homa and Aaron Rai have been identified as potential sleepers in the field due to their recent top performances in major championships.
Max Homa, who has two top 10 finishes in his last three majors, is a first-time major winner with a pedigree that could help him excel at Pinehurst No. 2. Aaron Rai, on the other hand, is known for his accuracy off the tee and around the greens and could benefit from humid conditions.
The USGA has invested heavily in Pinehurst Resort & Country Club for the next few decades, moving over 70 employees to work onsite. The course, which last hosted the U.S. Open in 2014, is expected to provide a challenging test for all players with its sandy terrain and undulating greens.
Despite Scheffler's clear favorite status, it's important to remember that golf is an unpredictable sport, and anything can happen on the course. The U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2 promises to be an exciting event with many storylines and potential surprises.