Three players who proved they can win the U.S. Open at Pinehurst through their performances at Valhalla

Add as preferred source on Google

The dust has begun to settle after a pulsating four days of PGA Championship action at a favourable Valhalla Golf Club.

The world’s best used the soft conditions to their advantage to completely dismantle the Louisville venue, with Xander Schauffele ending his wait for a major thanks to a one-shot victory over Bryson DeChambeau.

Like any major championship, there were some disappointing performances from some of the game’s biggest names. Yet, on the flip side, several unfancied players have demonstrated their credentials ahead of the U.S. Open at the notoriously tricky Pinehurst No.2 in North Carolina.

Here, The Golfing Gazette takes a look at three names who are now firmly in contention for the year’s third and most challenging major.

Viktor Hovland

The curious case of Viktor Hovland’s downward spiral has been the talk of the golfing world in recent months. The 2023 FedEx Cup champion appeared to have the world in his hands after his Tour Championship victory at East Lake.

However, multiple swing and coach changes have seen the Norwegian struggle for form. The 26-year-old finished T62 at The Players Championship and missed the cut at The Masters.

Valhalla, however, has appeared to be a turning point.

The Norwegian finished on 18-under-par and produced three consecutive rounds of 66. After reuniting with his former coach, Joseph Mayo, Hovland is one to watch ahead of the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No.2.

Justin Rose

• READ MORE: Justin Thomas shares what felt different during the final round of the PGA Championship

Justin Rose headed to Valhalla with low expectations.

The Englishman missed the cut at The Masters, finished T44 at the RBC Heritage and T52 in last week’s Wells Fargo Championship.

Rose was unrecognisable at Valhalla and produced a brilliant 64 on Saturday to place himself firmly in contention. He couldn’t quite maintain pace with the leaders in the final round, but it’s all good signs for the Englishman as he heads to Pinehurst.

Furthermore, Rose has pedigree in the year’s toughest major, having won the tournament at Merion in 2013. Pinehurst is shaping up to be a tough test, which could see a score close to par get the job done.

The 43-year-old finished T12 the last time the U.S. Open was held at Pinehurst in 2014.

These are all positive signs for the Englishman.

Shane Lowry

Away from the big names, Shane Lowry will fancy his chances of competing once again.

The Irishman carded a record-breaking 62 on Saturday to play his way firmly into contention. But, due to the relentlessness of Schauffele and DeChambeau, the 37-year-old’s tournament ended in disappointment.

Nevertheless, Lowry proved he can contend on a course that wasn’t particularly suited to him, which is a massive positive ahead of the year’s third major.

Another reason why the Northern Irishman could compete at Pinehurst is his brilliant short game. The North Carolina course rewards those who are delicate around the greens, something Lowry certainly is.