The U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2 has generated a lot of buzz due to the perceived difficulty of the course. Many players and experts are predicting that scores will be higher than usual this week. Jessica Marksbury, a senior editor, believes that even par will be considered a great round on this challenging course. Dylan Dethier, a senior writer, shares the concern over the course conditions but agrees that the players’ feedback indicates a brutal test awaits them. He predicts the winning score to be three under par.
Jack Hirsh, an assistant editor, highlights the recent trend of U.S. Open winners being in the six- to 10-under-par range. He acknowledges the difficulty of the course’s greens but points out that the length of the course and the players’ ability to recover from errant shots will lead to a mix of birdies and struggles. Sean Zak, a senior writer, agrees that the portrayal of the course’s difficulty is accurate and expects a wickedly fun weekend ahead. He predicts the winning score to be six under par.
Zephyr Melton, an assistant editor, believes that while the test will be stern, scores may not be as high as in previous Opens at Pinehurst No. 2. He notes that the USGA has been cautious in pushing the course to its limits since the infamous “Saturday massacre” at Shinnecock in 2018. Josh Sens, a senior writer, points out that the course’s natural defenses, particularly the challenging greens, will prevent scores from running too low without needing any artificial tricks. He predicts that only a handful of players will finish under par, with Scottie Scheffler potentially leading the way at seven under.
Overall, the consensus among experts is that Pinehurst No. 2 will provide a tough but fair test for the players. The difficult greens, combined with the length and layout of the course, will challenge even the best golfers in the world. While some predict higher scores than usual, others believe that the course setup and recent USGA approach to course maintenance will prevent extreme carnage. Regardless of the outcome, fans can look forward to an exciting U.S. Open with plenty of drama and intensity on display.
