History beckons at Shinnecock Hills this week, but the question is whose name will be etched into the record books. Scottie Scheffler arrives at the US Open chasing immortality, whilst European golf threatens to complete an unprecedented major championship treble.
The year’s third major begins Thursday over the windswept 7,440-yard Long Island layout, where lightning-fast greens and punishing rough await the world’s best. For Scheffler, it’s a chance to join golf’s most exclusive club. For Europe’s finest, it’s an opportunity to rewrite modern major history.
The grand slam beckons
Scheffler stands on the precipice of greatness. Victory on Sunday, which coincides with his 30th birthday, would make him only the seventh player to complete the career Grand Slam, joining Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, Gary Player and Gene Sarazen.
The world number one won the 2022 and 2024 Masters, last year’s British Open and PGA Championship. Only the US Open eludes him.
“Would it be a dream to win the US Open? Of course,” Scheffler said. “But the Grand Slam has never been a motivating factor for me. I always just wanted to be the best version of myself.”
His sole victory this season came in January, though three consecutive runner-up finishes, including at the Masters, suggest he’s knocking on the door.
“I feel like I’ve been close most of the year. I just haven’t been as sharp as I needed,” Scheffler admitted. “Margins are so small in this game.”
Europe’s historic run
Standing in Scheffler’s way is a European contingent riding an unprecedented wave. McIlroy defended his Masters crown in April after completing his career Slam last year, whilst England’s Aaron Rai captured the PGA Championship.
Should a European prevail, it would mark the first time UK golfers have swept the opening three majors since the Masters began in 1934. It would also match Europe’s best single-season haul, three in 2014, when McIlroy won the PGA and British Open after Germany’s Martin Kaymer captured the US Open.
“A historic start to the major season for golfers from that part of the world, and I would say this is more a UK/European style of test than the first two majors,” McIlroy said. “So it wouldn’t surprise me to see a few players from Europe in contention on Sunday.”
Even Scheffler expressed surprise. “It has never happened before? That’s a bit surprising with the amount of talent that has come out of the UK. Golf is becoming increasingly a global game.”
The Shinnecock Challenge
The links-style coastal layout plays directly into European hands. Scheffler himself conceded the advantage seaside conditions provide to players raised on British links courses.
“If you grew up on a links course out towards the coast, there would be some value there, just based on this type of wind,” the American said. “If you’re hitting the ball in the right spots, you can play this golf course. The minute you start hitting offline, you’re like, man, how do I even finish this hole?”
McIlroy warned that Shinnecock demands discipline. “This course demands so much patience and it can lure you into doing things you shouldn’t do,” he said.
Scheffler echoed that sentiment: “A lot of it comes down to execution, but I think patience is a large part of it as well.”
As Thursday’s opening round approaches, two narratives converge – one man’s pursuit of individual glory against an entire continent’s quest for collective dominance.
