Scottie Scheffler’s Rocky Start at the 2024 US Open in Shinnecock Hills
By Amy Tennery, Southampton, New York – July 18, 2024
The 2024 United States Open Championship got underway at the historic Shinnecock Hills Golf Club under blustery conditions that tested even the world’s elite. Scottie Scheffler, the reigning Masters champion and a two‑time major winner, opened his bid for a career Grand Slam with a two‑over‑par 72, leaving him behind the early leaders after the first round was halted by darkness.
Course Conditions and Wind Impact
Shinnecock Hills lived up to its reputation as a demanding venue. Gusts reached 54.7 km/h (≈34 mph), according to on‑site weather observations, prompting the USGA to water the greens in an effort to slow them down[USGA course prep]. The combination of firm fairways, fast greens, and swirling winds forced players to constantly reassess club selection and putting lines.
Scheffler acknowledged the challenge after his round:
“Any time conditions like this arise, I think the results are going to be high… I feel like this course can change pretty quickly from day to day. I think the challenge of the tournament too is adapting to these conditions.”
First‑Round Leaderboard Highlights
When play was suspended due to darkness, a group of four players shared the clubhouse lead at two‑under‑par 68:
- Sam Stevens (USA)
- Max McGreevy (USA)
- Ryder Cowan (amateur, USA)
- Former champion Wyndham Clark, who held the outright lead at six‑under with two holes left before the suspension
Scheffler’s opening round featured a birdie, two bogeys, and a double bogey on the front nine, followed by three pars and two bogeys on the back nine. A misjudged putt on the par‑5 16th hole contributed to his double bogey, highlighting the difficulty of navigating the greens under windy conditions.
Notable Performances Beyond the Leaderboard
Several big names made early impressions despite the adverse weather:
- Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) started on the back nine, bounced back after a gust knocked his hat off on the 13th tee, and finished the round under par with an eagle on the fifth hole after a birdie on the third.
- Adam Scott competed in his 100th consecutive major, a streak dating back to the 2001 British Open, and finished three over par.
- Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau, both LIV Golf participants, were among the late starters alongside PGA Champion Aaron Rai and the trio of Justin Thomas, Hideki Matsuyama, and Xander Schauffele.
Historical Context: Shinnecock Hills and the US Open
Shinnecock Hills has hosted the US Open five times (1896, 1986, 1995, 2004, 2018). The 2018 edition produced the highest average score‑to‑par in the last 18 years, with a field average of 74.65[PGA Tour stats]. The USGA’s decision to water the greens this year reflects an ongoing effort to balance the course’s natural difficulty with playable conditions for the world’s best.
Looking Ahead: Round Two and the Path to a Grand Slam
Play is set to resume Friday at 6:35 a.m. ET (12:35 p.m. SA time). For Scheffler, the immediate goal is to steady his putting and limit costly errors on a course where the wind can shift dramatically from hole to hole. As he noted, adapting to the ever‑changing conditions will be a critical factor not only for his Grand Slam pursuit but for any player hoping to contend for the championship.
With the leaderboard still fluid and several former champions lurking nearby, the second round promises to be a compelling test of skill, patience, and mental resilience—exactly what the US Open is renowned for.
