Scottie Scheffler arrives to the 2024 U.S. Open as the clear-cut favorite to snatch the third major championship of the year. A winner in five of his last eight tournaments, the world No. 1 golfer has widened the gap between himself and the rest of the game. While many prognosticators are suggesting this championship is over before it has even started, Scheffler has been outplayed in his losses and not necessarily by household names.
Davis Riley and Stephan Jaeger are among the two players to win when Scheffler has teed it up since the beginning of spring. Their victories give hope to others that this U.S. Open could mirror a couple recent ones including last year’s when an 80-1 Wyndham Clark broke through for his maiden major triumph.
Clark was already a winner at a signature event in 2023 when he raised the trophy at Los Angeles Country Club, so he didn’t necessarily come out of left field. Without much major success in his corner, Clark proved one does not need to check all the boxes coming into the week to be the last man standing Sunday evening.
Matt Fitzpatrick had prior knowledge of The Country Club when he won for the first time in the United States as a professional at the 2022 U.S. Open. The Englishman wasn’t among the favorites that week listed around 40-1, though he was a popular selection given his ties to the course. His win could be an indicator that players like Rickie Fowler and Jason Day may find success this week like they did in 2014 the last time the U.S. Open was played at Pinehurst.
So, while Scheffler’s supremacy may well continue in North Carolina, there is a roughly 75% implied probability that it does not. That means someone unexpected could walk away from Pinehurst with the U.S. Open trophy in hand.
2024 U.S. Open predictions: Sleepers
Who will win the U.S. Open, and which longshots will stun the golfing world? Visit SportsLine to see the projected U.S. Open leaderboard, all from the model that’s nailed 12 golf majors, including the last three Masters and the 2024 PGA Championship.
