The 124th U.S. Open is happening this week at Pinehurst No. 2, which is hosting the tournament for the fourth time. The first time was back in 1999 when Payne Stewart had an unforgettable showdown with Phil Mickelson. The last time Pinehurst No. 2 hosted was in 2014, when Martin Kaymer dominated the field and won by eight strokes.

 

 

 

U.S. Open Tournament 2024

The U.S. Open, which started in 1895, is one of the biggest events in golf. It's famous for its tough courses, thanks to the USGA, which always sets up some of the most challenging and unique courses in the country. Because of this, the winning scores are often close to par, and there have been several times when the winner has finished at even par or worse.

What's cool about the U.S. Open is that it’s open to both pros and amateurs. Anyone can try to qualify through local and sectional rounds, making it a real mix of talent. The tough conditions and the inclusive nature of the event make it one of the truest tests in golf.

Pinehurst No. 2: Course Breakdown

After a season with some underwhelming courses, get ready for Pinehurst No. 2 to blow you away! This legendary course in North Carolina’s sandhills is set to challenge and possibly frustrate the best golfers in the world. Pinehurst No. 2 first opened in the 1800s and has a rich history, including memorable U.S. Opens in 1999 and 2014.

Designed by Donald Ross, Pinehurst No. 2 is known for its natural beauty and tough, crowned greens. The course looks like it’s been there forever, with bunkers that seem carved by nature and no rough—just sandy areas and wire grass. In 2011, Coore and Crenshaw restored the course to its original look, making the greens larger and emphasizing the "turtleback" style that makes them so challenging.

This year, Pinehurst will feature ultradwarf bermudagrass greens for the first time, promising firm and fast conditions. Players will face eight par 4s over 470 yards, with some stretching beyond 500 yards. Distance and power will be crucial, but accuracy will be just as important due to the subtle fairway movements and small targets.

The real test, though, is the greens. Shaped like upside-down bowls, they’re tough to hold without perfect shots. In 2014, players only hit the greens 56% of the time despite hitting 70% of fairways. Expect to see a lot of scrambling for par.

For your lineups, focus on difficult scoring conditions, Around the Green play, and Bermuda putting stats. Pinehurst’s unique setup requires patience, precision, and excellent shot shaping. Look at total driving, SG: OTT on long courses, driving accuracy, greens in regulation from 200+ yards, par 4 scoring from 450+ yards, and bogey avoidance.

This year’s U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2 is going to be a thrilling, tough test. Get ready for some dramatic finishes and a course that truly challenges every aspect of a golfer’s game.

 

 

 

2024 U.S. Open Field 

It all begins and ends with Scottie Scheffler, who is about to tee it up for his 7th U.S. Open. His best finish was runner-up in 2022 at Brookline, and he took 3rd last year at LACC. The newly not divorcing Rory McIlroy has 2 wins this season and finished runner-up at last year’s U.S. Open in L.A. He struggled at Pinehurst in 2014 but bounced back to win the next 2 majors.

Xander Schauffele just won his first major at the PGA Championship. This will be his 8th U.S. Open, with his best finish being T3 at Pebble Beach in 2019. We will see if Wyndham Clark has the game to repeat at the U.S. Open. He has 1 win on the season at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

Tiger Woods will also be in attendance after missing the PGA Championship cut, thanks to a special USGA exemption. This is his first U.S. Open since 2020. Tiger finished 3rd in 1999 and 2nd in 2005 at Pinehurst.

You’ve also got all the top talent from the LIV Tour coming to North Carolina like Bryson DeChambeau fresh off his runner-up finish at the PGA Championship, 5-time major champion Brooks Koepka, former U.S. Open champion Dustin Johnson, Tyrrell Hatton, and others. The one exception is Jon Rahm, who pulled out due to an infected sore located between the little toe and the next toe on his left. One could speculate that it may be an excuse for his poor play in the majors this season.

Local favorite Michael McGowan will make his PGA TOUR debut after qualifying in Dallas. Meanwhile, brothers Francesco and Edoardo Molinari both made the cut, with Edoardo making his 2nd major start since 2015.

Get ready for an exciting week at Pinehurst No. 2, where legends return, and new stars emerge!

 

 

 

PGA Stats To Know: 2024 U.S. Open

Driving Accuracy - Targets

  • Collin Morikawa - 1st on Tour
  • Sepp Straka - 2nd on Tour
  • Tommy Fleetwood - 3rd on Tour
  • Lucas Glover - 4th on Tour
  • Russell Henley - 5th on Tour

Bogey Avoidance - Targets

  • Scottie Scheffler - 1st on Tour
  • Xander Schauffele - 2nd on Tour
  • Alex Noren - 3rd on Tour
  • Greyson Sigg - 4th on Tour
  • Aaron Rai - 5th on Tour

SG: Around the Green - Targets

  • Hideki Matsuyama - 1st on Tour
  • Webb Simpson - 6th on Tour
  • Alex Noren - 8th on Tour
  • Collin Morikawa - 10th on Tour
  • Justin Thomas - 12th on Tour

My Best Bets (27-55 Overall, -10.65 Units)

  • Tommy Fleetwood: Top 20 (+130)
  • Matthew Fitzpatrick: Top 20 (+165)
  • Sepp Straka: Top 30 (+125)
  • Tom Kim: Top 30 (+130)
  • Robert MacIntyre: Top 30 (+190) 

One & Done Play

  • Ludvig Aberg

 

 

 

PGA DFS Picks: U.S. Open 2024

Top-Price DFS Picks: 2024 U.S. Open

Scottie Scheffler ($13,000)

What more can we say about Scottie Scheffler? Each week, he continues to impress, and it’s getting harder to find new ways to describe his amazing run. While some courses might challenge him, Pinehurst #2 is a perfect fit for his skills.

Scheffler is the best driver in this field, combining distance and accuracy. His long iron play is top-notch, and his short game is exceptional. Pinehurst #2 highlights these strengths, making it a great course for him. Unlike Valhalla, where putting was crucial, here Scheffler can shine with his ball-striking and short game.

Don’t overthink it—Scheffler is set to excel at Pinehurst #2. His current form is extraordinary, and this course suits him perfectly.

Viktor Hovland ($9,800)

After his strong T3 finish at the PGA Championship and a solid T15 at the Memorial last week, Viktor Hovland is on fire. He's been killing it with his approach shots, ranking in the top six in Strokes Gained: Approach at both events. Now, he's taking that momentum to Pinehurst No. 2, a course that suits his game to a tee.

Remember when he clinched the TOUR Championship at East Lake last August? That's a par 70 course designed by none other than Donald Ross, just like Pinehurst No. 2. Hovland's got serious chops on Ross courses, ranking fifth in Total Strokes Gained over his last 50 rounds on them.

And guess what? You can snag him for under $10,000 in DFS this week. With his recent form and history on similar courses, he's a steal. Don’t think twice about adding him to your lineup—he's primed for another big week.

Collin Morikawa ($9,400)

Easily my favorite target in the 9K range, because he’s such a steal! He’ll likely be the most popular player in DFS this week. He's the only golfer to finish top-5 in both majors this year, even without his best approach game. He almost beat Scottie Scheffler last week at the Memorial.

Morikawa quietly ranks 15th in Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee and 10th in Around-the-Green on Tour. And surprise—he's now in the top 100 in Strokes Gained: Putting.

His consistent high-level play and recent stats make him a great choice. At this price, Morikawa is a must-have for your DFS lineup. Don’t miss out on this bargain!

 

 

 

Mid-Price DFS Picks: 2024 U.S. Open Picks

Tommy Fleetwood ($8,500)

It's pretty interesting—Tommy Fleetwood's got better betting odds than the other guys we've picked in the $8,000 range. And you know why? He's been killing it at major after major. Check this out: in eight Open Championships, he's landed three top-5 finishes, including a solid T5 last year. Plus, he just rocked a tie for third at the Masters and a decent T26 at the PGA Championship.

But here's the kicker—his short game is on point. He's currently ranked 17th on the Tour in Strokes Gained: Around-the-Green, meaning he's pretty handy when things get tricky.

So, even though his odds are shorter, Fleetwood's recent form and major championship consistency make him a top pick. Don't sleep on him—he's ready to bring his A-game once again.

Hideki Matsuyama ($8,000)

Hideki Matsuyama's got a solid record at the U.S. Open—just one cut missed in 11 appearances and seven top-20 finishes. That's pretty impressive, huh? Plus, he's been on fire lately. Last week, he nailed a T8 at the Memorial, gaining strokes in every category. That's some serious consistency. And the best part? You can snag him for just $8,100. With his track record and current form, he's a total steal. Don't miss out on adding him to your lineup—he's ready to keep the momentum rolling.

Sahith Theegala ($7,600)

Sahith Theegala is a steal at under $8,000. He's riding high after a solid T12 at the Memorial, marking his seventh top-15 finish this season. Despite not making many cuts at the U.S. Open, he's playing the best golf of his career, sitting at a career-high No. 11 in the world rankings.

And let's talk about his driving skills—they're top-notch, ranking 20th in Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee this season. That's going to be huge at Pinehurst No. 2, known for its length. Plus, remember when Martin Kaymer nailed it here? He aced both driving accuracy and distance.

But get this—Theegala's ranked No. 11 globally, yet he's only the 25th priciest golfer on DraftKings this week. That's a steal. With his current form and skills perfect for Pinehurst No. 2, he's set to shine. Don't miss out on adding him to your lineup—he's got serious potential at a bargain price.

 

 

 

Value-Price DFS Picks: 2024 U.S. Open Picks

Tom Kim ($7,300)

Tom Kim's been steady this season, missing the cut just twice in 16 starts. He's no stranger to the majors either, snagging top-30 finishes in the first two this year. And at the U.S. Open? He's shown up strong, finishing 23rd and T8th in the last two editions.

Now, let's talk about the odds. DraftKings Sportsbook has him at +6000 to win this weekend—pretty good, right? Especially when you consider his DFS salary. Kim's a solid choice for cash games, offering reliable performance at a reasonable price.

So, if you need someone dependable for your lineup, Kim's your guy. With his track record and those odds, he's definitely worth a shot. Keep an eye on him—he could be a game-changer this weekend.

Russell Henley ($6,900)

Russell Henley is ticking all the boxes for me this week. He's precise off the tee, nails it with long irons, and has a smooth touch around the greens, especially on Bermudagrass. And get this—he's quietly landed in the top 20 in two of his last three U.S. Opens.

I'm expecting big things from him at Pinehurst. His accuracy and iron play are perfect fits for this course. Plus, his skill around the greens will be key on those tricky surfaces.

Henley's proven himself in majors before, and I think he's ready to make some waves again. Keep an eye on him—he could be a dark horse to watch at Pinehurst this week.

Sepp Straka ($6,500)

Sepp Straka is on fire right now. Last week at Muirfield Village, he killed it, finishing T5 and gaining strokes in every category. That's his fourth top-eight finish in his last five starts—pretty impressive, right?

Now, he hasn't had the best luck at U.S. Opens, making just one cut out of three tries. But here's the kicker—Straka's current form is insane. He's priced way too low for how well he's been playing.

Seriously, when you compare his Vegas odds to his DFS salary, he's a steal. With the way he's been performing lately, he's definitely worth considering for your lineup. Don't sleep on him—he's got the potential to make some serious waves at this major.

 

 

 

Dirty Cheap DFS Picks: 2024 U.S. Open Picks

Martin Kaymer ($5,700)

Hey, why not consider Martin Kaymer for Pinehurst? I mean, the guy's practically a Pinehurst wizard—no one's dominated that course like him in the past 25 years, maybe even ever. Sure, he's hitting the big 4-0 soon, but he's still got that Pinehurst playbook locked in his brain.

Now, can he pull it off like he used to? That's the million-dollar question. But hey, let's not forget—he made the cut at the PGA Championship just last month. That's not too shabby for someone considered past their prime, right?

And get this—the USGA's even got him lined up for interviews this week. Seems like they're onto something, huh? Maybe they're sensing a Kaymer comeback at Pinehurst.

So, while he may not be the young gun tearing up the course anymore, Kaymer's still got that Pinehurst magic up his sleeve. Keep an eye on him—he might just remind us why he's a force to be reckoned with.

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