The SI Golf staff debates Pinehurst No. 2's mettle, whether it will have a first-time major champion this week and if that winner will hit double-digits under par.
Welcome to the U.S. Open edition of SI Golf’s Fact or Fiction. We’ll be here after every day’s play with a series of statements for writers and editors to declare as “Fact” or “Fiction” along with a brief explanation. Responses may also be “Neutral” since there's a lot of gray area in golf.Pinehurst No. 2 played as difficult as expected in the first round, with its puzzling crowned greens inflicting some pain—yet good scores were out there. There is no better course in the U.S.
It’s early, but Patrick Cantlay has a share of the lead with Ludvig Aberg, Matthieu Pavon and Tony Finau also on the front page of the leaderboard. Like last month’s PGA Championship, this week will have a first-time major champion.It is difficult to be sold on any of those guys as good as they are playing. Pavon made two eagles, an outlier. Finau has not been much of a contender, anywhere. Aberg, who finished second at the Masters and has tremendous upside, is still in just his third major.
Five under set the pace Thursday. With light winds expected the rest of the week and the USGA showing a willingness to spot-water greens to keep them alive in the heat, the winning score of this U.S. Open will be double-digits under par.There are plenty of under-par scores but the U.S. Open has a way of lulling you into thinking it’s going to continue. It’s unlikely. The greens, unless there is a deluge, will get firmer. They won’t get less undulating.
earlier in the week but now I don’t think the USGA will let mayhem take hold of this course. We won’t have a Valhalla-like record shootout but 10 under will win it. Phil Mickelson shot 79 Thursday and may be near the end of his U.S. Open career—his five-year exemption from winning the 2019 PGA at Kiawah ends with the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont. But the USGA should give him a special exemption after that if he doesn’t play his way back in.Two years is a long time from now and it would be good if the animosity that exists in the game fades.
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