OAKMONT, Pa. – Scottie Scheffler brushed aside the pressure of being labeled the favorite ahead of the U.S. Open at Oakmont, dismissing the opinions of oddsmakers and fans who expect him to triumph wherever he competes.
Despite his nonchalance, Scheffler admitted to being aware of the public’s expectations. “That’s why I had to drop Venmo,” he shared humorously on Tuesday at Oakmont, referring to the influx of monetary requests after a non-win. Whether joking or not, he later revealed, the most anyone offered him was a couple of dollars, a rare occurrence compared to the frequent demands for payment.
Ranked No. 1 globally with the longest streak since Tiger Woods in the late 2000s, Scheffler has achieved considerable success, winning 25% of his contests since securing his inaugural PGA Tour victory at the Phoenix Open in 2022. His recent victories include three of his last four tournaments, notably his third major victory at the PGA Championship last month at Quail Hollow, with a cumulative margin of 17 shots. Such statistics highlight his remarkable dominance in golf, though they hold little sway over him.
“I don’t pay attention to the favorite tag or anything like that,” he remarked. “Once Thursday morning arrives, we’re all starting at even par, and it’s up to me to face the course and display what I can do.”
Oakmont is notorious for its difficulty, often hailed as the toughest golf course in America. Recent practice rounds have solidified this reputation, drawing attention to the challenging rough. With sunny weather on Tuesday, the greens appeared even faster, adding to the already considerable challenge. Even the bunkers, according to Scheffler, are formidable. The general sentiment among players? “Man, it’s just tough,” noted Collin Morikawa.
Scheffler, with his exceptional tee-to-green game, appears well-equipped for Oakmont. Nevertheless, he has yet to secure a victory in his national open, despite opportunities at Los Angeles (2023), Brookline (2022), and Torrey Pines (2021). Pinehurst No. 2 last year was particularly challenging, as Scheffler was not in contention at any point, partly due to scheduling issues as he participated in the Memorial the week before, a strenuous event he won, limiting his recovery time.
After winning the Memorial again this year, the week off allowed Scheffler to recharge. “Having the week off was crucial for me to get home, rest, recover, and I came here on Sunday, played around 11 holes, and acclimatized to the conditions,” Scheffler explained. He described the experience as a return to his usual major preparation, contrasting with the back-to-back major-level tests from the prior year.
Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy had a few extra days off after being cut from the Canadian Open, which allowed him to adjust his equipment for Oakmont’s fairways, a critical challenge at the course. Although both Scheffler and McIlroy were ranked as almost co-favorites after McIlroy’s Masters victory, which completed his career Grand Slam, much has shifted in recent months.
McIlroy, introspective after his Masters triumph, acknowledged the difficulty in maintaining motivation, even admitting to struggling with apathy during the Canadian Open lead-up. “At some point, there’s more golf to play this season,” he stated, pinpointing Oakmont, the upcoming British Open in Northern Ireland, and September’s Ryder Cup as focal points.
On Scheffler’s current spree, his performance will significantly impact the chances of other contenders. Jordan Spieth, when asked about Dustin Johnson’s lengthy tenure as world No. 1 – only Scheffler surpasses him in recent years – eagerly redirected the conversation to praise his fellow Dallas resident. “Scottie’s level is something I haven’t seen personally out here,” Spieth observed. “At home, he never seems to falter, even when his shot isn’t perfect.”
Oakmont’s unforgiving course demands precision off the tee to avoid bunkers and dense rough, along with adept putts on fast greens, attributes that make it extraordinarily challenging. “This is probably the toughest course in the world right now,” said defending champion Bryson DeChambeau, emphasizing the need for accuracy and resilience. “It’s a great test, and I’m looking forward to it,” he added, echoing the sentiment of many in the field.