Scottie Scheffler has spoken ahead of the US Open as a former champion suffers an injury ahead of the major. Scheffler is among the frontrunners to secure the US Open trophy at Shinnecock Hills this weekend. A triumph for the world No.1 would see him become just the seventh golfer to complete a career Grand Slam.
The 29-year-old, who finished tied for 12th at the recent Canadian Open, claimed both the PGA Championship and Open Championship last year, adding to his two Masters victories, yet has gone without a win since January. Shinnecock Hills has historically proved a formidable test when hosting the US Open, prompting Scheffler to scout the venue earlier this month.
Scheffler's Stance on the US Open
Scheffler is targeting a place among golfing royalty by clinching the US Open and completing his career Grand Slam. The elite group of just six players to have won all four majors in the modern era includes the likes of Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Rory McIlroy. Despite the weight of expectation on his shoulders, Scheffler has made his stance clear, relishing the tough task that awaits him.
"I like the challenge of playing a really hard golf course against a really good field," he said. The choice of Shinnecock Hills as the host venue could prove a decisive factor. When the New York course last staged the major back in 2018, Koepka lifted the trophy with a score of one-over-par.
Scheffler has also offered his views on the United States Golf Association's handling of the US Open. "It's hard when you run one tournament a year - and you run it on a different golf course every year - to get it just right," Scheffler said. "And you're trying to make it hard. I think in the US Open, they push the boundaries. If they're going to continue to push the boundaries, eventually they'll screw up and then they'll dial it back."
Brooks Koepka Forced to Withdraw from Event
Brooks Koepka pulled out of the final round of the Canadian Open on Sunday. The 36-year-old had acknowledged he was struggling with a hand injury, which left him unable to grip his clubs properly due to numbness. The development raises serious doubts over whether the five-time major champion will be fit in time for the US Open.
Koepka had been hoping to complete his final round in Toronto but suffered a setback shortly before he was due to tee off. "The whole warm-up, I felt fine, I was absolutely good," Koepka said on Sunday. "Then got to the range and went to grip the club and I just couldn't even grip it. So it lasted - it was all day. Felt better the last few holes. I don't know if that's just the meds kicked in or what it is but hopefully we'll figure it out now."
