Pinehurst’s greens have been a talking point ahead of the 2024 U.S. Open – and reigning Masters champion Scottie Scheffler has shared his thoughts on the current state of the putting surfaces.
During Monday and Tuesday’s practice rounds, players were regularly seen putting off the greens into Pinehurst’s waste areas. Different tactics are likely to be deployed, and Tiger Woods was even spotted using an unusual club to run the ball onto the putting surface.
The 15-time major winner has also predicted players going back and forth this week while attempting to get the ball to stick on the putting surfaces.
With Pinehurst greens grabbing the headlines, Scheffler has now said whether he thinks changes need to be made before Thursday’s first tee time.
Scottie Scheffler’s first impression of Pinehurst’s greens
Speaking to the media after arriving in North Carolina on Tuesday, the world number one was asked to share his first impressions on No.2.
“Course is great. In good shape,” said Scheffler. “I think the areas around the green are extremely difficult to play out of. I think the golf course is going to play pretty tough this week, but it’ll be a fun test.”
Despite the greens running fast down grain, Scheffler doesn’t believe much work needs to be done before Thursday’s first tee time.
“I think the golf course is great,” he added. “It’s extremely challenging. I don’t think they have to do too much with the way the greens are, so it should be a fun test and a good week.
“But what I appreciate about this kind of course is a lot of the areas around the greens are all fairway, and so it may be extremely difficult shots, but there’s always opportunity. Sometimes, when there’s heavy rough, there’s not really much opportunity for a great shot.
“I appreciate having the playability of the run-off areas more than heavy rough surrounding every green. It definitely provides a little bit more variety, a little bit more excitement and a little bit more creativity around the greens. I believe it’s a better test than just having heavy rough over the back of every green. “Courses like this, I think, are a lot of fun to play.”
Scottie Scheffler’s improved putting will be tested at Pinehurst No.2
Scheffler’s putting has massively improved during his dominant 2024 thus far.
The world number one has made a significant improvement with the flat stick, but an actual test of his putting will come this week.
For the rest of the field, Pinehurst’s greens could well level the playing field. If Scheffler is slightly off-pace and line, his putts could quickly find their way off the greens.
It’s looking like whoever can manage their speed and line best will stand a chance of winning the U.S. Open this week on a course unlike anything witnessed on the PGA Tour this season.
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