As the third major of the season rolls around, is Robert MacIntyre timing his run for US Open perfection?
Pinehurst hosts the 124th edition of US golf’s flagship event, a fourth time for the North Carolina resort.
Ten years on from Martin Kaymer lifting the trophy, who will take the crown from defending champ Wyndham Clark?
Business end
As the cream of the game arrives in the Tar Heel State this week, the importance of the coming months is all-too apparent.
With a trip to Troon next month for the Claret Jug, the chance for impending Olympic Gold in Paris then glistens in August.
On the subject of which, Tokyo gold medalist Xander Schauffele will not only go to France to defend his Olympic title buoyant but comes here after breaking his major drought.
Xander Schauffele earned his first career major victory at Valhalla Golf Club.
The 2024 PGA Champion caught up with @hallylead after his win. pic.twitter.com/37i2KHev7s
— Golf on CBS ⛳ (@GolfonCBS) May 20, 2024
Ending a nine-year wait, Schauffele won the PGA Championship at Valhalla last month, however since, has only played one tournament.
Once again swerving the RBC Canadian Open, the Californian missed the cut in the Charles Schwab and will need a better showing on the bermudagrass greens.
On the Bob?
For Robert MacIntyre, the last 12 months have been nothing short of a whirlwind.
Making his Ryder Cup debut on a winning European team last September, the 27-year-old from Oban then earned his PGA Tour card for this season.
His initial struggles outside of the DP World Tour expected, but after finishing T8 with Thomas Detry in the Zurich Classic, he then replicated that result alone at Valhalla.
However, few expected his victory in the Canadian Open, not least MacIntyre himself.
So is he a dark horse at Pinehurst?
Unlikely success for MacIntyre would see a third British winner of the US Open in 11 years, after Justin Rose and more recently, Matt Fitzpatrick claimed the spoils.
However, he would be the first Scot in almost a century to win the trophy – Willie Macfarlane beat Bobby Jones in 1925 in a playoff.
Few players – not least British ones have won a major on debut PGA Tour season, but MacIntyre is playing well enough from tee to green to be a threat at a huge price of 90/1 for 6 places with SpreadExSports.
The 124th US Open begins on Thursday at Pinehurst Resort, North Carolina.
