Want to recieve exclusive news, videos, tournament highlights, golf important tips and more ?
Want to recieve exclusive news, videos, tournament highlights, golf important tips and more ?
West Australian Min Woo Lee is poised for a third consecutive top-30 finish in a major as reborn American Bryson DeChambeau took the outright lead at the US Open at Pinehurst No.2.
DeChambeau received treatment for a hip complaint throughout his round on Saturday but it did little to hold him back, the 2020 champion launching monster drives in his round of 3-under 67 to lead by three at 7-under through 54 holes.
The US Open champion at Congressional in 2011, Rory McIlroy (69) is in a tie for second at 4-under with Frenchman Matthieu Pavon (69) and American Patrick Cantlay (70), the trio among just eight players under par heading into the final round.
At 4-over par and in a tie for 25th, Lee is the best of the three Aussies who made the cut, his round of 2-over 72 comprised of five bogeys and three birdies.
All three birdies came in an even-par front nine of 35, the 25-year-old driving the green at the 316-yard par-4 third and two-putting from 56 feet for his first of the day.
A booming drive of 348 yards allowed Lee to go for the green in two at the par-5 fifth, just missing an eagle try from 24 feet for a second birdie in three holes.
Continuing to trade birdies for bogeys, Lee dropped a shot when he was unable to get up-and-down from the front of the par-3 sixth but got back to even par on his round when he hit his approach inside three feet at the par-4 seventh.
Second in Strokes Gained: Off The Tee in Round 3, Lee can now add to his strong performances in the majors this year having finished tied for 22nd at The Masters and tied 26th at the US PGA Championship.
Queenslander Cameron Smith moved into a tie for 35th and just one back of Lee thanks largely to a superb back nine on Saturday.
Five-over on his round after a double-bogey at the par-4 eighth, Smith responded in impressive fashion.
A brilliant bunker shot set up birdie from just outside three feet at the par-5 10th, going back-to-back when he found the right side of the cup from 11 feet at the par-4 11th.
Despite finding the native area right of the fairway with his tee shot, Smith produced a brilliant approach shot to six feet at the par-4 18th, converting for birdie and a bogey-free back nine of 3-under 32.
There were no birdies and six bogeys in a frustrating third round of 6-over 76 for Adam Scott, Kiwi Ryan Fox (76) also enduring a difficult day in finding Pinehurst’s treacherous greens in regulation.
Australasian scores
T25 Min Woo Lee 73-69-72—214
T32 Cameron Smith 71-72-72—215
T54 Adam Scott 70-72-76—218
T65 Ryan Fox (NZ) 73-72-76—221
MC Jason Scrivener 74-72—146
MC Jason Day 71-77—148
MC Cam Davis 77-72—149
Victorian Lachlan Aylen described it as a rare day when everything fell his way to record a one-stroke victory at the Foxleigh Mine Middlemount Pro-Am.
The second leg of the Onsite Rental Group Mining Towns Series, Aylen needed a clutch putt on his penultimate hole and then chipped in from 20 metres at his final hole for a round of 7-under 65 and one-shot win over Tim Hart (66) with Darcy Boyd, Connor McDade and Paul Donahoo all sharing third at 5-under 67.
“One of those rounds I got extremely lucky out there,” Aylen said of his second adidas PGA Pro-Am Series win.
“Everything that could go right did go right, which is pretty rare for golf.”
HOW THE WINNING ROUND UNFOLDED
It took just two holes for Aylen to get into red figures at Middlemount Golf Club and he backed it up with two further birdies in his next three holes to be 3-under through five.
He sandwiched a bogey on 15 between birdies at 14 and 16 to get to 4-under and then made a three at the par-4 18th.
With Hart applying pressure courtesy of twin eagles at 10 and 14, Aylen had no option but to continue to push.
A birdie at one helped to maintain his buffer at the top of the leaderboard but a three-putt bogey at the par-3 third brought Hart and others back into the mix.
He rolled in a birdie putt from six feet dead centre on four and then holed his chip shot on five to come out on top.
WHAT THE WINNER SAID
“A chip-in on the last hole from about 15 or 20 metres really sealed the deal,” said Aylen.
“I thought it was missing and it sort of wobbled back and went in the hole.
“Missed a couple of short ones and made a few long ones so it was a good day.
“I usually only look at the leaderboard when I’m trying to chase last money, which has been pretty common as of late.
“I just sort of plodded along, everything was going right and didn’t really think it was necessary to look at it.”
LEADERBOARD RUNDOWN
1 Lachlan Aylen 65
2 Tim Hart 66
T3 Darcy Boyd 67
T3 Connor McDade 67
T3 Paul Donahoo 67
T6 Dylan Gardner 68
T6 Blaike Perkins 68
NEXT UP
The Onsite Rental Group Mining Towns Series now moves on to Tieri Country Club for the two-day JET Group Tieri Pro-Am starting Wednesday.
As predicted by many, Pinehurst No.2 played tougher during the second round of the US Open, where three Australians are through to the weekend and ultra-impressive Swede Ludvig Åberg leads.
Seven shots back of the young European, Min Woo Lee and Adam Scott are the best place of the Aussie contingent, tied 27th on 2-over, with Cameron Smith another shot further back at 3-over. Kiwi Ryan Fox also through to the weekend with on the number that fell at 5-over-par.
Sitting on the wrong side of that cutline was Jason Scrivener (6-over), Jason Day (8-over) and Cam Davis (9-over).
With Lee authoring one of the rounds of the day in the afternoon, for the second straight day it was the par-4 eighth hole that stalled the Australian challenge late in the day. Lee arriving at the 494 yard hole 2-under for the day and perhaps already thinking about signing for just the ninth bogey-free round recorded at a US Open held at Pinehurst No.2 having started from the 10th tee.
His second shot bouncing long and left, with the West Australian unable to get up-and-down to drop his first shot in a 1-under round powered by impressive driving and putting where Lee made birdies at the third and 14th by rolling in mid-range putts.
Scott also made bogey at the eighth for his fourth dropped shot on the front nine Friday after no doubt enjoying his Thursday night following his final hole birdie to be well placed at even par.
That same fighting spirit arrived on the back nine during the second round, when the Queenslander made consecutive birdies at 10 and 11, before another came Scott’s way at the 14th against bogey the next to sign for a 2-over 72, the same score as Smith who shares 37th.
Unlike the up-and-down days of the Lee and Scott, the 2022 Open Champion played the steady golf US Opens are known for, with Smith failing to register a birdie and his 16 pars only interrupted by bogeys at second and 12th.
It was a rollercoaster start to the second round for Fox, who made four bogeys, one birdie and one par in his opening six holes, with the lone New Zealander in the field mixing birdies at 10 and 13 with six pars and a bogey on the back nine to earn his place on the weekend.
For the second straight day, Scrivener made his lone birdie at the par-5 10th in a two-over 72 to miss making his third major cut by a shot, with practice round partner Day’s hopes of the weekend coming unravelled across a four hole stretch starting at the fifth that included three bogeys and a double.
Managing a wry smile and arms raised celebration with caddie Andrew Tschudin when finally making his first birdie of the tournament after 28 holes, Davis produced another four holes later before closing a frustrating week with birdie at the 18th.
The US Open is live on Fox Sports, available on Foxtel and Kayo.
Australasian Scores
T27 Min Woo Lee +2
T27 Adam Scott +2
T37 Cam Smith +3
T57 Ryan Fox+5
MC Jason Scrivener +6
MC Jason Day +8
MC Cam Davis +9
Having waited until the final moments to confirm his 92nd consecutive major start at the 1,000th USGA championship, Adam Scott showed why he has been a fixture, leading the Aussie charge at the US Open after the opening day at Pinehurst No.2.
Signing for an even par round of 70, Scott is tied for 16th, five back of leading pair Rory McIlroy and Patrick Cantlay, who equalled 2014 champion Martin Kaymer’s course record mark of 5-under 65.
Scott’s fellow major winners from Queensland, Jason Day and Cameron Smith, are the next best of his compatriots in a share of 34th after 1-over 71s, with Min Woo Lee two shots further adrift alongside Kiwi Ryan Fox at 3-over. Jason Scrivener at 4-over and Cam Davis on 7-over round out the Australian contingent.
Playing in the late afternoon, when scores were expected to be higher as the Donald Ross design became firmer with greens rolling between 13 and 14 on the Stimpmeter, Scott authored a late mix of birdies and a double-bogey having felt rejuvenated after finally confirming his place in the field.
“I think generally I played quite well. But I didn’t hit that many shots close when I hit the green, so I was grinding hard,” Scott said.
“I didn’t really have many makeable birdie chances. I hit a couple good shots close and made them, and that helps.
“I think just generally, you should be happy if you shoot even par at a US Open, from my experience.”
Making a steady start with six straight pars from the 10th tee, his first hole of the day, Scott stumbled with back-to-back bogeys at the 16th and 17th, before flighting a beautiful wedge to four feet from 114 yards at 18 to set up his first birdie of the day.
The 43-year-old’s next birdie came in more dramatic fashion when he rolled in an 82-foot putt from off the front edge of the fourth green, before another close approach at seven took him to 1-under-par for the day and inside the top-10.
Missing the eighth green left, Scott watched on as his approach putt rolled back down one of Pinehurst’s famed swales almost to his feet and would head to the par-3 ninth over par after taking a double-bogey six.
Once again striking a pure iron from the tee of his last hole, Scott rolled in his fourth birdie of the day from 21 feet to return to even and be well placed at a venue where he has previously finished tied for 28th in 2005 and tied ninth in 2014.
“It’s the same for everyone, but I hit a pretty good shot into eight, and it’s very fine lines here on the greens, and I got a bounce to the left and it went into the worst spot you could miss it and made a double,” he said.
“I felt like I was kind of willing that one in on nine because I felt like I really deserved to shoot even par. I didn’t know why that one shot feels so much better than shooting over par, but it feels like a small victory to say you’ve shot par at a US Open.”
Smith similarly closed his first round with a birdie from over 20 feet at the ninth, the Queenslander also ending his front nine with his only other birdie of the day at the par-4 18th after a wedge that was all over the flag.
Starting his round from the first, it was a tale of two nines for Day. He made the turn without a birdie to his name and 3-over the card before birdies at 10 and 12 got him moving in the right direction until a bogey at 14 slowed his momentum.
The former world No.1 bounced back by finding the bottom of the cup from 46 feet and almost the entire width of the 16th green for birdie.
Like Scott, Lee made double-bogey at the eighth having only been able to move his second shot a matter of metres, with his steady play across the rest of the round another sign of the West Australian’s comfort at the US Open.
Fox similarly had a double on his card of 73, while Scrivener’s lone bright spot came with birdie at the monstrous 619 yard par-5 10th during his first major in almost two years.
The US Open is live on Fox Sports, available on Foxtel and Kayo.
Australasian Scores
T16 Adam Scott EV
T34 Jason Day +1
T34 Cam Smith +1
T65 Min Woo Lee +3
T65 Ryan Fox +3
T86 Jason Scrivener +4
T132 Cam Davis +7
Promising teenagers Natascha Tennent and Noah Schammer are among the first six recipients of the Webex Golf Scholarships that will provide financial and practical support to continue their journeys in golf.
Tennent (pictured, right) and Schammer (centre) will receive Development Scholarships as Steven Alderson (left), Lachlan Wood, Garth Allen and Cameron Pollard were announced as the Full Scholarship recipients.
An expansion of the Webex Players Series All Abilities program, Tennent and Schammer will each receive $3,000 in coaching and tournament support while Full Scholarship holders will receive $6,000 in total funding and support.
In addition, there will be Adidas clothing, technology support and a monthly player education webinar as Webex continues to find new ways to promote and develop All Abilities golf.
A total of 19 applications were received from nearly every state and territory with the selection panel not only impressed by the quality of each application but taking the time to talk personally with each athlete about their journey in golf.
“Thanks to Webex, these scholarships provide a great opportunity for these world class athletes,” said Nick Bielawski, Senior Manager – Coaching Programs for the PGA of Australia.
“They’ll receive access to coaching from PGA professionals around Australia. In addition, they’ll receive travel and tournament support to play in more tournaments and improve their world ranking.”
“Webex is proud to be partnering with PGA Australia to enable the ongoing development of All Abilities golfers,” said Chris Bowman, Director of Marketing, Webex by Cisco, APJC.
“Through both funding and the use of our technology, we aim to unlock opportunities for these talented rising stars to be coached by the world’s elite golfing professionals and set them on their path to becoming the next generation of Australian golfing champions.”
Scholarship recipients were selected based on their GA handicaps, performances in Webex Players Series events and performances in WR4GD ranking events.
Full Scholarships
Lachlan Wood
Winner 2023 Australian All Abilities Championship
T4 at 2024 G4D Open in England
Ranked No.7 in WR4GD Gross Rankings
2nd at G4D Tour @ The CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Winner 2023 WA Open All Abilities Championship
Cameron Pollard
3rd at 2023 Australian All Abilities Championship
Winner 2024 Webex All Abilities Players Series Hunter Valley
Winner 2024 Queensland Inclusive Championship
2nd at 2024 NSW All Inclusive Championship
Steven Alderson
Ranked No.4 in Australia in gross rankings
Ranked No.6 in WR4GD Nett Rankings
Winner of Webex All Abilities Players Series South Australia
Tied 1st at Qld Inclusive Championship
2nd at SA Inclusive Championship
3rd at Vic Inclusive Championship
Garth Allen
Ranked No.8 in Australia in gross rankings
4th place at the 2024 Scottish Open
3rd place in his flight at US Open Adaptive Qualifying
3rd NSW All Abilities Championship
4th SA All Abilities Championship
Top-50 finish at 2024 G4D Open
Development Scholarships
Noah Schammer
Winner 2023 Riversdale All Abilities Cup
Ranked No.88 in WR4GD Gross Rankings
7th at 2024 Victorian Inclusive Championship
Natascha Tennent
Gold Medallist 2023 Special Olympics World Games
No.13-ranked female on WR4GD
Winner of Sporting Achievement Whilst Overcoming Adversity at 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards
Winner Nett Strokeplay Division at EDGA Algarve Masters in Portugal
An eagle from five feet at the par-5 eighth has propelled Victorian Bradley Kivimets to his first two-day win on the adidas PGA Pro-Am Series.
An opening round of 7-under 65 saw Kivimets trail Lucas Higgins by one heading into the second round of the IMS Moranbah Pro-Am at Moranbah Golf Club, the first event in the six-leg Mining Towns Series.
Birdies at his first and third holes in Round 2 was the ideal start, a pitching wedge to five feet to set up eagle on eight proving crucial at day’s end.
“I had a bogey a few holes before that so it kind of got me back to 3-under for the day,” Kivimets said.
“I didn’t know where I stood at that time in the grand scheme of things but that sort of got me back on track and then I managed to kind of keep going from there.”
Kivimets posted 5-under 67 in Round 2 for a 12-under total, enough to finish one clear of James Mee (66-67), Ben Henkel (67-66) and Brendan Smith (69-64).
HOW THE WINNING ROUND UNFOLDED
Round 2 began on the second hole for Kivimets and jumped straight out of the blocks with a birdie at the 495-metre par 5.
He followed that up with a birdie on four only to take a step back with a bogey on six.
The eagle on eight turned momentum Kivimets’ way, birdies at 10, 13 and 14 giving him enough of a buffer to absorb a final bogey at the par-4 15th.
WHAT THE WINNER SAID
“Played well from inside 120, which you kind of need to do around here,” said Kivimets.
“Some of the longest stuff was a bit scrappy at times, but it didn’t cost me too much.
“Anytime I had 8-iron or less in, I was able to have a pretty good look at it and made a few putts. Kept momentum going at times and didn’t put myself in too much trouble.
“This is win number five, first two-day event that I’ve ever won. The other four that I’ve won were single day events so it’s nice to win one that’s more than 18 holes.”
LEADERBOARD RUNDOWN
1 Bradley Kivimets 65-67—132
T2 James Mee 66-67—133
T2 Ben Henkel 67-66—133
T2 Brendan Smith 69-64—133
5 Riley Taylor 66-69—135
T6 Caleb Bovalina 66-70—136
T6 Dillon Hart 67-69—136
NEXT UP
The Mining Towns Series continues with the Foxleigh Mine Middlemount Pro-Am on Friday while the two-day Roy Hill Golf Classic Pro-Am begins at Port Hedland Golf Club.
The 15-time major champion knows his son is closer in age yet Aussie Min Woo Lee was a welcome addition to Tiger Woods’ group for a practice round ahead of Thursday’s US Open at Pinehurst.
Originally scheduled to play with fellow Aussies Jason Day and Jason Scrivener in Tuesday’s practice round at Pinehurst’s famed No.2 course, Lee instead jumped ship to partner up with Woods and Max Homa, Woods’ son Charlie tagging along as ‘player support’.
In his pre-tournament interview after their round, Woods revealed that Min Woo and Charlie had previously been in regular contact, the chance to spend a few hours in each other’s company one that Woods was conscious to savour.
“He (Charlie) was very excited today to watch Max and Min Woo and watch them hit golf balls,” said Woods, a three-time US Open champion.
“They’ve talked to him quite a bit, especially Min Woo and him.
“I think they’re closer in age than I am to anybody else. It’s great for us to be able to share these moments together.”
In good company @TigerWoods 🐐 pic.twitter.com/3OBLSPb3Xq
— Min Woo Lee (@Minwoo27Lee) June 11, 2024
The chance to watch Woods plot his way around green complexes that will likely prove crucial in determining this year’s US Open champion should prove invaluable for Lee.
The ‘turtleback’ greens are notorious for spitting approach shots to collection areas that frame each putting surface, Lee and coach Ritchie Smith placing a particular emphasis on his short game in the lead-up to Pinehurst.
It is an area of his game that he revels in – who can forget his chip-in for eagle in the final round of the 2023 Australian PGA Championship – and one which Lee knows he will need to lean on this week.
“When you miss a lot of greens like myself, you’ve got to learn how to chip,” Lee joked on “Aussies at the US Open”on Fox Sports.
“The chip-ins just come naturally. As a kid I put myself in terrible positions and would try to make an up-and-down or try to hole it. I just like chipping in; I’ve got a lot of confidence in chipping.
“Most of the preparation is that bump-and-run shot. There’s not too many courses where there’s too many turtlebacks and I have heard there’s a lot.
“I might not hit it as much as I think but just to have it in the bag is a 1 per center.”
Aiding Lee’s preparation is Smith’s familiarity with Pinehurst, having been in attendance as coach of Oliver Goss at the 2014 championship won by Germany’s Martin Kaymer.
The 25-year-old put new shafts in his irons three weeks ago and, with six top-30 finishes in his past eight major starts, is learning what it takes to compete in the majors.
“It’s stressful but it’s also fun,” said Lee, who tees off at 10:02pm Thursday night alongside Sahith Theegala and Nicolai Hojgaard.
“That’s why we practice. We want to be in these majors and play as good as we can.
“Trying to peak, schedule-wise, for the majors, I don’t know how to prepare to peak but that’s something I’m trying to work on.”
Lee is one of six Aussies in the field at Pinehurst, all of whom are hoping to join David Graham (1981) and Geoff Ogilvy (2006) as Australian champions of the US Open.
It is a busy week also for the women’s game with Aussies in action in all four events being played around the world.
Min Woo’s sister Minjee Lee heads the five-strong Australian contingent at the Meijer LPGA Classic in Michigan while Kelsey Bennett joins Kirsten Rudgeley, Amy Walsh and a returning Whitney Hillier at the Ladies Italian Open on the Ladies European Tour. Amateur Belinda Ji and Stephanie Bunque are playing the Amundi Czech Ladies Challenge on the LET Access Series and Cassie Porter will be aiming to make it back-to-back wins on the Epson Tour alongside Su Oh, Maddison Hinson-Tolchard and Amy Chu at the inaugural Otter Creek Championship.
Photo: Alex Slitz/Getty Images
Round 1 tee times AEST
US Open
Pinehurst Resort (No.2 Cse), Raleigh, North Carolina
Round 1
9:18pm* Cameron Smith
10:02pm Min Woo Lee
10:13pm* Ryan Fox (NZ)
10:35pm* Cam Davis
2:30am Jason Scrivener
3:03am Jason Day
3:58am* Adam Scott
Round 2
8:45pm* Jason Scrivener
9:18pm* Jason Day
10:13pm Adam Scott
3:03am Cameron Smith
3:47am* Min Woo Lee
3:58am Ryan Fox (NZ)
4:20am Cam Davis
Defending champion: Wyndham Clark
Past Aussie winners: David Graham (1981), Geoff Ogilvy (2006)
Prize money: $US20 million
TV times: Live 8:30pm–10am Thursday, Friday; Live 12am-10am Sunday; Live 11pm-9am Sunday on Fox Sports 503 and Kayo
LPGA Tour
Meijer LPGA Classic
Blythefield Country Club, Belmont, Michigan
10:10pm* Minjee Lee
10:21pm Hira Naveed
10:21pm* Gabriela Ruffels
3:10am Grace Kim
3:54am* Robyn Choi
Defending champion: Leona Maguire
Past Aussie winners: Nil
Prize money: $US3 million
TV times: Live 5am-8am Friday; Live 6am-8am Saturday, Sunday; Live 3am-6am Monday on Fox Sports 505 and Kayo
Korean PGA Tour/Japan Golf Tour
Hana Bank Invitational
Namchuncheon CC, Chuncheon, South Korea
9:10am* Junseok Lee
9:20am Matthew Griffin
1pm* Anthony Quayle
Defending champion: Jiho Yang
Past Aussie winners: Junseok Lee (2022)
Prize money: KRW1.3 billion
Ladies European Tour
Ladies Italian Open
Golf Nazionale, Italy
Australasians in the field: Whitney Hillier, Kirsten Rudgeley, Momoka Kobori (NZ), Kelsey Bennett, Amy Walsh
Defending champion: Morgane Metraux
Past Aussie winners: Corinne Dibnah (1991, 1994), Denise Booker (1995)
Prize money: €300,000
Korn Ferry Tour
Wichita Open
Crestview Country Club, Wichita, Kansas
10:16pm* Tim Wilkinson (NZ)
10:58pm Rhein Gibson
11:08pm* Brett Drewitt
12:01am* Daniel Gale
3:10am* Dimi Papadatos
4:13am* Steven Bowditch
Defending champion: Ricky Castillo
Past Aussie winners: Jeff Woodland (1992), Bradley Hughes (2004), Mathew Goggin (2011)
Prize money: $US1 million
Challenge Tour
Kaskáda Golf Challenge
Golf Resort Kaskáda, Brno, Czech Republic
6pm Hayden Hopewell
6:20pm* Jeffrey Guan
11:10pm* Connor McKinney
11:20pm Blake Windred
11:20pm* Tom Power Horan
Defending champion: Martin Simonsen
Past Aussie winners: Nil
Prize money: €270,000
Epson Tour
Otter Creek Championship
Otter Creek Golf Course, Columbus, Indiana
Australasians in the field: Amelia Garvey (NZ), Cassie Porter, Fiona Xu (NZ), Su Oh, Maddison Hinson-Tolchard, Amy Chu
Defending champion: Inaugural event
Past Aussie winners: Nil
Prize money: $US300,000
LET Access Series
Amundi Czech Ladies Challenge
Panorama Golf Resort, Czech Republic
Australasians in the field: Belinda Ji (a), Stephanie Bunque, Hanee Song (NZ), Munchin Keh (NZ)
Defending champion: Marta Martin
Past Aussie winners: Nil
Prize money: €42,500
Legends Tour
Paul Lawrie Match Play
Hanbury Manor Marriott Hotel & Country Club, Hertfordshire
5:03pm Michael Long (NZ) v Andrew Raitt
5:47pm Peter Fowler v Clark Dennis
6:58pm Peter O’Malley v Robert Coles
7:20pm Scott Hend v Jean-Francois Remesy
Defending champion: Inaugural event
Past Aussie winners: Nil
The next major arrives this week when the US Open heads back to Pinehurst No.2 after a decade. Six Aussies and one Kiwi will tee it up, including Adam Scott whose amazing streak of playing in major championships continues, and here is all you need to know.
DEFENDING CHAMPION: Wyndham Clark (US)
PRIZEMONEY: US$24 million
LIVE SCORES: www.usopen.com
TV COVERAGE: The US Open is live on Fox Sports, available on Foxtel and Kayo with Fox Sports 503 a dedicated US Open channel the entire week.
*All times AEST.
Round One: Thursday 8:30pm–10am (Fox Sports 503/Kayo)
Round Two: Friday 8:30pm–10am (Fox Sports 503/Kayo)
Round Three: Sunday 12am–10am (Fox Sports 503/Kayo)
Final Round: Sunday 11pm–9am (Fox Sports 503/Kayo)
AUSTRALASIAN PLAYER PROFILES
CAM DAVIS
World ranking: 68
Age: 29
Professional wins: Four
Best finish at the US Open: MC (2023)
The lowdown: Davis was one of the final names into the US Open via Final Qualifying and the New South Welshman did it in style, defeating childhood hero Adam Scott in extra holes in Ohio.
The PGA TOUR winner’s form to get his start here shows why Davis is a chance to breakthrough at a major, while his course suitability also augers well.
The Melbourne Sandbelt qualities suit Davis’ ball striking strength, as shown in his 2022 Sandbelt Invitational victory, while his straight driving is a valuable asset at any US Open.
JASON DAY
World ranking: 21
Age: 36
Professional wins: 19
Best finish at the US Open: Runner-up (2011 & 2013)
The lowdown: Day continues to top the Aussie men on the world rankings, and this week shapes as arguably his best chance at claiming another major title.
Already with five top-25s to his name in 2024, Day owns the same number of top-10s at the US Open, including a share of fourth at Pinehurst No.2 back in 2014.
Off the tee and on the greens has been where Day has been at his best this year, with the combination will suited to the layout this week, however, the Queenslander’s iron play will need to be a little sharper with the constant danger awaiting around the turtleback greens.
RYAN FOX
World ranking: 60
Age: 37
Professional wins: 17
Best finish at the US Open: T41 (2018)
The lowdown: The Kiwi has been showing signs of just what he is capable of in America of late, with Fox sharing seventh at the Canadian Open after ties for fourth at the Myrtle Beach Classic and Zurich Classic.
Missing more cuts than he has made at the US Open, Fox will arguably never find a venue that is a better match for his game than Pinehurst, which has a strong national connection as the site of Michael Campbell’s 2005 US Open triumph and Danny Lee’s US Amateur victory in 2008.
Long off the tee, Fox’s proximity to the hole has been one of the reasons for his good play of late, yet it is the putter that has arguably been the most valuable club in his bag. If the flatstick continues to behave, Fox could add another chapter to the Kiwi history at the cradle of American golf.
MIN WOO LEE
World ranking: 36
Age: 25
Professional wins: Four
Best finish at the US Open: T5 (2023)
The lowdown: Min Woo’s form line into this week suggests he is primed for perhaps his biggest moment in a young career that continues to impress.
Tied for 22nd at The Masters, Lee has not finished worse than a share of 26th at the PGA Championship and will be rested having made his last start at the end of May.
Known to love the big stage, the West Aussie’s best major result came at last year’s US Open and he is yet another of the Australasian contingent that should find Pinehurst very much to his liking.
The driver has been a weapon for Min Woo so far this year, which will be an important ingredient for the winner this week, while Lee will surely be inspired by the play of older sister Minjee two weeks ago at the US Women’s Open.
ADAM SCOTT
World ranking: 61
Age: 43
Professional wins: 32
Best finish at the US Open: T4 (2015)
The lowdown: Barely missing the world ranking cutoff to earn a spot in the lead up to the US Open, Scott went back to Final Qualifying only to miss out thanks to Davis’ play in a play-off. Fortune has favoured Scott though, and now in the field he will play his 92nd consecutive major championship.
Now that the storyline of consecutive majors is done, expect Scott to be all business at a venue he knows well and has brought some of his best to previously.
Tied for 28th in 2005 and sharing ninth in 2014, Scott is clearly comfortable at Pinehurst that will remind him of the courses at home where he has had success, and he has been on site since last week getting reacquainted.
The Queenslander’s play at qualifying showed his form is trending in the right direction, with his iron play the only statistical category that is currently holding him back from winning again.
JASON SCRIVENER
World ranking: 369
Age: 35
Professional wins: One
Best finish at the US Open: MC (2018)
The lowdown: Playing just his fifth major, Scrivener will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of Michael Campbell who also qualified at Walton Heath and went on to win at Pinehurst No.2.
It has been an inconsistent year to date for the South African born West Australian, yet Scrivener’s accuracy off the tee and strong ball striking will hold him in good stead this week.
Having never played Pinehurst, Scrivener has been studying old US Open film to prepare and a missed cut in Sweden last week will have allowed an early arrival. Playing an all Aussie practice round Tuesday will have been a nice change for Scrivener, who has spent much of the past 12 months as the lone Australian at DP World Tour events.
CAM SMITH
World ranking: 72
Age: 30
Professional wins: 12
Best finish at the US Open: Fourth (2014 & 2023)
The lowdown: After bursting onto the global stage at this event in 2015, Smith largely struggled at the US Open until last year when finishing fourth at Los Angeles Country Club.
Recording his eighth major championship top-10 at this year’s Masters, Smith has shown signs of his best this year, including with two second place LIV Golf finishes among three top-10s.
Arrives after a final round 80 in Houston last week, the Queenslander’s last start can be ignored when considering his chances this week based on course suitability and his ability to rise for the majors.
Continues to be one of the finest putters in the world, and the creativity that Pinehurst encourages will challenge and excite our most recent major winner.
THE COURSE
Hosting its fifth men’s major championship, Pinehurst No.2 will once again be one of the key players this week when it measures 7,548 yards and plays to a par of 70.
Donald Ross not only designed No.2 (Pinehurst has nine 18 hole courses), but the renowned American golf course architect lived on site and continued to work on and refine the layout over many years.
Commonly known as “The Cradle of American Golf”, Pinehurst is located in North Carolina, with the No.2 course renovated in 2011 by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw to incorporate sandy waste areas and tufts of wild grasses that make driving a key element to success.
Settling in even more since Martin Kaymer won here in 2014, the course will be firm and fast this week, with the turtleback greens set to repel any shots played to the incorrect section.
A closing four-hole stretch consisting of two long par-3s and stern par-4s will be the ultimate examination of any potential champion.
HEADLINERS
Scottie Scheffler – Reigning Masters champion and five-time PGA TOUR winner in 2024
Xander Schauffele – 2024 PGA Championship winner and six-time top-10 US Open finisher
Brooks Koepka – 2023 PGA champion and five-time major winner
Rory McIlroy – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship winner and 2011 US Open champion
Tiger Woods – Three-time US Open winner
Wyndham Clark – 2023 US Open winner
Bryson DeChambeau –2020 US Open winner and 2024 PGA Championship runner-up
Dustin Johnson – Two-time major winner and T4 at 2014 US Open
The tell-tale signs were there as soon as Grant Williams walked in the door to take over the Head Golf Professional and Golf Operations Manager roles at Busselton Golf Club 2.5 hours south of Perth.
A new pair of shoes on the member walking in to pay their Saturday comp fees.
A new hybrid in the bag of the member at their latest lesson.
Expanding the retail offering at Busselton was one of Williams’ very first priorities… and now he had proof of where members felt they were not receiving the full service.
“Everyone from a regional area who goes to a city, goes to a big golf shop,” says Williams.
“I asked a member where he got his new 5-wood and his answer was, ‘I was up in Perth last week.’
“That was just happening all the time so expanding the range really was a no-brainer.
“We have a premium golf course, so why not premium service and products in the golf shop?
“Regional golf courses seem to concentrate on cheaper-end products and only enough to display the product but no real stock.
“They’re always having to order stock for the members rather than having it readily available.”
Awarded the WA PGA Club Professional of the Year at the WA Golf Industry Awards in March for a range of initiatives he has introduced at Busselton the past two years, Williams went beyond simply stocking the pro shop with more gear.
To encourage members to shop close to home, Williams set about creating a shopping experience that matched what they would find in a major department store in Perth.
“Even with little space I modelled the shop on a high-end golfing experience by simply displaying everything more clearly,” Williams says.
“At some regional clubs the golf shop can begin to look a bit old and tired but it doesn’t take much to transform the look and feel of a real golf shop experience.
“If you order 12 putters from Taylor-Made, you ask if they have a putter stand you can use for the display.
“You’d be amazed at how many people will pick up a putter if it’s displayed well and well-positioned within a golf shop.”
While he hopes these initiatives have played a part in Busselton’s membership growing from 630 to 900 in just two years, Williams acknowledges that timing plays its part.
In the wake of COVID, Busselton itself has grown significantly and golf has been booming across the country.
It was a classic case of preparation meeting opportunity, but Williams has done everything he can to turn that good fortune into an atmosphere where new members feel welcomed and valued.
And reassured that they won’t find a better deal in the big smoke.
“If somebody comes in and says that they can get the same pair of shoes $30 or $50 cheaper somewhere else, I’ll match it,” adds Williams, who spent 20 years working in numerous clubs throughout Europe.
“We never make a loss doing that. We sometimes don’t make much money, but my philosophy there is we don’t just turn over a pair of shoes, but we make a member happy.
“We’ve had 200 brand new lady beginner golfers come through here in the last five months, and they’re all new to golf. We show them all the aspects of golf; the first tee, the clubhouse facilities, we give them a welcome pack which gives them everything they need to feel welcome and at home.
“Having stock makes the shop come alive.
“There’s a new range of shoes; a new line of summer or winter clothes, stock is constantly changing.
“There’s something happening all the time, and that’s important.”
Australian Jason Scrivener will call on the memories of Kiwi Michael Campbell’s unlikely win almost 20 years ago in his return to the major championship arena at this week’s US Open at Pinehurst No.2.
Scrivener is among the six Aussies in the field in Raleigh, North Carolina this week, a number bolstered by the late reprieve that will enable Adam Scott to play his 92nd consecutive major championship.
For Scrivener, this week’s US Open represents just his fifth start in golf’s showpiece events and his first since the 2022 Open Championship where he was invited in to share countryman Cameron Smith’s epic victory celebrations at St Andrews.
Admitting that juggling becoming a father to two boys in the past three years has impacted his results on-course, Scrivener arrives at Pinehurst an even greater outsider than Campbell 19 years earlier.
Ranked No.80 in the world, Campbell came fifth at Final Qualifying at Walton Heath in London to play his way into the 2005 US Open field. Two weeks later, he held off a man who would win six majors between 2005 and 2008 to etch his name into golf history forever.
Like Campbell, Scrivener had to earn his spot at Walton Heath and has fond memories of the Kiwi’s historic victory at Pinehurst.
“I remember watching it purely because I remember Tiger was chasing him down,” recalled Scrivener, who enters the US Open ranked No.369 in the world.
“Obviously I’d watched quite a lot of Michael Campbell, he used to come down to play in Australia a lot, so I remember it quite vividly.
“I’ve been watching a little bit of those old US Opens there, it looks amazing.”
Last time Tiger played at Pinehurst, Michael Campbell pulled one of the all-time upsets in golf history at the 2005 U.S. Open. 😳🇳🇿 pic.twitter.com/uuFk9Uwenp
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) May 2, 2024
Tied for eighth at the ISPS HANDA Australian Open in December, Scrivener has only one top-20 finish on the DP World Tour this year, a tie for 17th at the Jonsson Workwear Open in South Africa.
The 35-year-old knows his game is a long way from where it was in 2021 when he finished tied 23rd at the US PGA Championship at Kiawah Island and climbed to a career high of 95 in the world but believes the nature of the No.2 layout at Pinehurst can play to his strengths.
“It looks like it suits an Aussie, firm and fast and a little bit of (Melbourne) Sandbelt to it,” said the West Australian.
“I think it somewhat suits me. If it was a bomber’s course that was going to be thick rough, long, it wouldn’t have helped me at all. The fact that, just looking at it, it doesn’t look like it’s the longest course, looks like there’s a bit of run in the fairways and narrow fairways, which suits me.
“And also, you have to be quite precise into the greens, which is one of my strengths.
“If I can play well and play to my ability, then I think the course should suit me.”
.@ScrivJ is tipping a strong week for the Aussies at the @usopengolf at @PinehurstResort 👊🇦🇺#USOpen pic.twitter.com/ofXeb0ayZo
— Golf Australia ⛳️ (@GolfAust) June 11, 2024
Aiding Scrivener’s preparation will be a practice round on Tuesday with his Zurich Classic partner of 2022, Jason Day, and fellow West Australian, Min Woo Lee.
Given his relatively new move into fatherhood, Scrivener intends to use the practice round to not only get to know Pinehurst but glean anything he can from father-of-five Day on how best to manage family and life on tour.
“I know he had a tough couple of years, trying to adjust off the course and on the course, and it’s good to see him back to where he should be,” said Scrivener.
“Playing the European Tour, there’s so much travel that’s involved, so just trying to get the balance between being a good dad and spending time with my family and then trying to be as good as possible.
“I just feel like it’s been a bit of a perfect storm in terms of not playing my best and struggling with my game a little bit and then just trying to find a good balance with things off the course as well.
“It’s been tough, but I feel like I’m getting through it and just learning as we go, how to deal with it.”
The US Open is live on Fox Sports, available on Foxtel and Kayo.
Photos: Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images (Scrivener); Andy Lyons/Getty Images (Campbell)
