Before the US Open in 2024, defending champion Wyndham Clark feels that Pinehurst No. 2’s greens are “already borderline.”
Prior to his title defense at this week’s US Open, Wyndham Clark feels that Pinehurst No. 2’s greens are “already borderline.”
The greens at the third major of the season in North Carolina are probably going to be another hot topic of discussion, as is customary for a US Open test.
The greens on this Donald Ross gem are large in size, but they are also small in that players will have to make enormous putts or delicate chip shots if they miss their proper landing spots due to the severe contours.
Throughout the week, three-putts will be common, and occasionally a four-jab will probably be seen.
Several of the top players in the world left for early practice sessions at Pinehurst No. 2 on Monday afternoon, and numerous of them attested to the speed of the greens following their rounds.
Clark, 30, the 30-time US Open champion, went on to say that they are already at the brink.
It remains to be seen if the USGA decides to water the greens more than they had intended to in response to today’s initial outcry.
On Monday, Clark stated regarding the Pinehurst greens:
Indeed, they really move quickly.
“The greens, I mean, they would be on the verge of becoming too firm and too fast.
“They’re already on the edge.”
Since Brooks Koepka in 2018, Clark hopes to be the first player to successfully defend the US Open.
The three-time winner of the PGA Tour shows up at Pinehurst No. 2 in a somewhat disorganized state.
Even though Clark is currently ranked fourth in the world, the American has recently missed cuts at the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village and the US PGA Championship at Valhalla.
Before that, he placed T3 at the RBC Heritage but finished T47 at the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow Club.
Early in February, Clark won his third career PGA Tour event at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, which was postponed due to bad weather.
On the eve of the US Open, Clark freely acknowledged to the media that he wasn’t playing his best golf.
Clark admitted, “I haven’t been playing my best golf.”
“These past few weeks have been somewhat difficult. He said at a press conference, “Really, I’m trying to gain some momentum for the rest of the season.
“Although it might sound like I have low expectations for the week, I would really like to play four strong rounds, hit some great shots, and have some really good ups and downs. I also want to make some crucial putts throughout the week.
“It’s true that I’m more frustrated than I’ve been in a while. I have to think that playing excellent golf is just around the corner.”
Even though he wasn’t playing well, Clark sarcastically stated, “See you in a week,” when he handed over the US Open trophy on Monday.
Following his fifth victory in eight PGA Tour starts at the Memorial Tournament, Scottie Scheffler is a clear 3/1 favorite for the US Open.
Next in line for betting are Collin Morikawa, Rory McIlroy, and Xander Schauffele, all of whom are available at double-figure odds.
Ever since Woods was favored at 2/1 in the US Open approximately 15 years ago, Scheffler is the least expensive favorite.
There are thirteen members of LIV Golf in the US Open roster.
Clark can be had for 66/1 odds.
Along with Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, and Rickie Fowler, Tiger Woods went for a practice round on Monday.
Charlie Woods, his son, who had been called in to assist with inspecting his swing, also joined him.
Woods can be had for odds of 225/1.
The 15-time major champion is vying for a fourth US Open victory.
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