Peter Finch has a ‘wildcard’ pick who could win the US Open at Pinehurst this weekend

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The 124th US Open is rapidly approaching, with Pinehurst No 2 playing host to this year’s competition.

The 156-player field has been confirmed for North Carolina, with world number one Scottie Scheffler the clear favourite.

The American has been in stunning form in 2024, recently securing his fifth win of the season at the Memorial Tournament.

He will undoubtedly have his eyes on the prize when the third major of the year gets underway later this week.

The Memorial provided the perfect opportunity for Scheffler and his fellow professionals to fine-tune their game ahead of Pinehurst.

Peter Finch tips Justin Rose for success at the US Open

But the major is a whole other matter entirely, with form potentially going out of the window come the first tee.

That said, it will be hard to look past Scheffler, who broke a record in terms of money won during a season following his Memorial win.

The predictions are now coming in thick and fast for Pinehurst, with Peter Finch, Luke Kwon and Sean Walsh sharing their thoughts on the matter.

Speaking on the Rough Cut Golf Podcast, the trio did, however, agree that red-hot favourite Scheffler was not allowed to be picked, with Finch naming two potential winners.

“I think if it is dry it is going to bring a few more people in as it will go chasing down the fairways,” said Finch.

“An old head might [have a chance]. As a bit of a wildcard, outsider, I might go Justin Rose. Someone like that. He’s a bit of a plodder, can think his way around the golf course.

“For my main pick I’m still picking Rory [McIlroy].”

Can Rory McIlroy win his first major since 2014?

Several factors are set to play a major role at the US Open, and as Finch mentioned, weather could be one of them.

Many players use the course conditions to their advantage, with McIlroy set to be delighted if there is rainfall at Pinehurst.

The Northern Irishman has four major wins to his name, winning the US Open in 2011, but the pressure on his shoulders continues to rise given his last success came all the way back in 2014.

In stark contrast, Scheffler lifted The Masters trophy earlier this year, coming out on top at Augusta in April.

The world number one is looking unstoppable, with the likes of McIlroy and indeed Rose set to find it very difficult to knock him off his perch.

Englishman Rose missed the cut at the Memorial, but he certainly has history at the US Open, with his only major win coming there in 2013.

The 43-year-old has made nine of 13 cuts so far in 2024, including at The Masters, but an impressive recovery was made at the PGA Championship, where he finished tied-sixth.