Sky Sports golf pundit Rich Beem has revealed what he thinks could hold Scottie Scheffler back at the 2024 US Open.
The third major of the year is now underway at Pinehurst No.2, and Scheffler is the overwhelming favourite to land his sixth win of 2024 and a third major victory.
Beem, however, believes Pinehurst’s tricky conditions will be a disadvantage to the metronomic 27-year-old, who has been almost faultless since the turn of the year.
Rich Beem raises Scottie Scheffler concern at the US Open
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Speaking on Sky Sports coverage on Thursday, Beem has claimed Scheffler will be punished if his typically pinpoint iron play is even slightly off.
“I think it is going to be a challenge for the 155 in this field,” Beem explained.
“I think the one thing Pinehurst does help out with is that it takes no prisoners. So if Scottie Scheffler isn’t spot on because of the ball striking, which we have seen week in and week out, I’m not going to say that’s going to go by the wayside. Still, it’s going to take a little extra effort because even missing by the smallest of margins by Pinehurst is going to cause the golf ball to run 20, 30, and sometimes even 40 yards off the green, as we have seen this week.”
The Sky Sports pundit added: “I think what they will face this week will be unlike anything they have seen before, and I think it will be maddening in some stretches. But Scheffler, the one thing he does possess as world number one is fortitude, and I have to say the 155 players out there are going to have their work cut out, not only with the golf course but with Scottie Scheffler.”
Scottie Scheffler’s best will win the US Open this week
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If Scheffler continues from where he left off at Muirfield Village, he will be crowned US Open champion on Sunday evening.
The world number one’s steady iron play is usually faultless, and if he continues to find greens in regulation, he could run away from the field once more.
However, Beem’s suggestion could ring true. The slightest error off the tee or from the fairways will be punished at Pinehurst.
Therefore, the American will need to be near his brilliant best to really exert his dominance this week.
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