The US Open is famously one of the toughest golf tournaments of the year, as illustrated by previous editions of the event.
Roddy ConsRoddyConsUpdate: Jun 13th, 2024 08:43 EDT0
GREGORY SHAMUSAFP
The 2024 US Open gets underway on Thursday (13 June) at Pinehurst No. 2, one of 10 courses (nine 18-hole courses, one nine-hole course) at the Pinehurst golf resort in North Carolina. This will be the fourth time the tournament is held at the venue, with previous editions, as well as one astonishing stat, suggesting the field is in for a tough challenge.
Previous US Open winners at Pinehurst No. 2
The US Open is, of course, known for being set up with a premium placed on accurate driving and is normally one of the most challenging events of the year.
Martin Kaymer was the @usopengolf champion the last time the Major was held at Pinehurst ten years ago 🏆#USOpen pic.twitter.com/wrNJBhQppK
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) June 10, 2024
At the first edition of the tournament played at Pinehurst No. 2 in 1999, champion Payne Stewart (-1) finished as the only player under par, with a score of +8 good enough to finish in the top 10.
When the US Open returned to the resort six years later, Michael Campbell of New Zealand won his only major of his career, ending the tournament at even par, two strokes better than nearest challenger Tiger Woods.
The most recent visit to Pinehurst No. 2, in 2014, was rather different, but only because of the brilliance of one man.
Germany’s Martin Kaymer (-9) won his second major with a sensational performance, finishing a whopping eight shots better off than Erik Compton and Rickie Fowler (-1), who were tied for second. They were the only three men to shoot under par, and three of only four men to have done so in US Opens.
The difference between a birdie putt and a bunker shot is merely a matter of inches at Pinehurst No. 2. pic.twitter.com/yQfeKh0nlp
— U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 13, 2024
