Just hours after US Open reigning champion Wyndham Clark called the greens at Pinehurst ‘borderline’, Scottie Scheffler has dubbed it ‘extremely challenging.’ Speaking after his practice round at the course, the World No.1 golfer said it will be a “good test and a fun week.” His comment came a day ahead of the US Open 2024.
Scheffler said the course has been setup ‘great’ and is in good shape. However, the Masters champion couldn’t resist but admit to the greens being “extremely difficult to play out of.” Hinting at the requirement of more old school playing style at the event, the 27-year-old noted that players could be “more creative” this weekend as the course design allows for use of different types of lies.
Speaking about the greens at Pinehurst, Scottie Scheffler said (at 0:50):
“Course is great, I mean in good shape. I think the areas around the green are extremely difficult to play out of. I think the golf course is going to play pretty tough this week but it’ll be a fun test. I think the golf course is great.
It’s extremely challenging I don’t really think they have to do too much to trick it up with way the greens are. If they want the scores to be high and so it should be a good test and a fun week.”
Talking about the importance of the lie players get this weekend, Scheffler added (at 1:30):
“A lot of the areas around the greens here are quite different and a lot of it depends on the lies that you get. It’s grainy Bermuda and so if you get a good lie, you can be a little bit more creative with what you want to do. But if you have an iffy into the green lie, you’re a bit limited in what you can do around the green.”
It is pertinent to note that the US Open 2024 is set to tee off on Thursday, June 13 at Pinehurst. Scottie Scheffler, who is the event favorite, will tee off at 1:14 pm ET alongside Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele.
Wyndham Clark calls Pinehurst’s greens ‘borderline’
US Open reigning champion Wyndham Clark on Monday stated that the greens at Pinehurst will be a real test for the players. The World No.4 golfer said the grainy course were “firmer” which also made it “extremely fast.” He claimed that “every putt is fast” due to the grains’ nature.
Wyndham Clark said in his pre-event press conference on Monday:
“I mean, they are extremely fast. If they get any firmer and faster, the greens, I mean, they’d be borderline. They already are borderline… The grain, I don’t know if it affects maybe the break of the putts as much on these greens because they are cut so tight that the green is not grabbing it. It’s more the speed… Every putt is fast.”
Clark further claimed that he found himself hitting “uphill putts six feet by, six, seven feet by.” He dubbed it a common theme he saw in his practice group. Much like Scheffler’s comments, Clark also hinted at a fun-filled weekend at Pinehurst, filled with carnage.
