The U.S. Open returns to Pinehurst No.2 for the first time in ten years – and the year’s toughest major is just days away.
Given the prestigious nature of the competition stateside, the partisan home crowd will no doubt be desperate for a US-based player to run out victorious on Pinehurst’s 18th green on Sunday.
And with Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka in top form, there’s every chance of that outcome ensuing.
Despite seven of the last ten U.S. Open winners coming from America, several European stars will fancy their chances of making a run for the year’s third major this week.
Here, The Golfing Gazette has taken a look at five Europeans who could win this week.
Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy’s inclusion in this list won’t come as a surprise.
The Northern Irishman has two PGA Tour wins in 2024 and is undoubtedly a threat this week.
McIlroy’s ability to fly the ball well over 300 yards and play shorter irons into Pinehurst’s tricky greens could make a big difference this week.
Being able to control approach shots and land the ball in the right area is non-negotiable – and McIlroy’s length will give him a better chance of executing metronomic short-iron shots.
Tommy Fleetwood
Arguably the best player never to have won a PGA Tour event, Tommy Fleetwood will be desperate to finally break his American duck this week.
After finishing T3 at the Masters and T26 at the PGA Championship, the signs in the majors have been positive.
Furthermore, after two top-25s in his last two events, Fleetwood appears to be in consistent form.
The 33-year-old is one of Europe’s better hopes this week.
Ludvig Aberg
With his knee injury now seemingly behind him, Ludvig Aberg will be looking to build on his impressive form.
The world number six – still waiting for his first win of 2024 – has finished in the top ten six times since the turn of the year and came runner-up at Augusta National.
After missing the cut at the PGA Championship, Aberg bounced back well at the Memorial last week, finishing T5, six shots back of Scheffler.
If he’s truly back to full fitness, Aberg competing this week wouldn’t come as a surprise.
Viktor Hovland
To say it’s been an up-and-down year for Viktor Hovland would be an understatement. The Norwegian looked completely sapped of confidence and form before the PGA Championship.
Changes to his swing and several coaches appeared to have done more harm than good. However, after reuniting with Joseph Mayo, the 2023 FedEx Cup champion looks back to his best.
Hovland burst back into form at Valhalla and has the ability to string birdies together when required.
If the Norwegian can limit mistakes at Pinehurst, he could be one to look out for.
Shane Lowry
Short-game king Shane Lowry could be well-suited to what’s needed to get around Pinehurst No.2 this week.
The Irishman’s ability to produce delicate chips and pitches around the greens could allow him to save pars and make birdies from unlikely areas.
Taking his last round at Memorial out of the equation, it’s been a promising 2024, and Lowry’s iron play looks as sharp as it’s ever been.
A U.S. Open triumph would see the Irishman considered one of the all-time greats to emerge from the Emerald after his 2019 Open championship win.
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