The golf world's attention turns to North Carolina's famed Pinehurst No. 2 for the 124th U.S. Open Championship, where Scottie Scheffler enters as the prohibitive favorite seeking his first U.S. Open title amid a dominant 2024 campaign.
The four-day championship runs June 13-16 at the iconic Donald Ross-designed layout, which has hosted more USGA championships than any other course. Scheffler, priced at +300 odds, represents the shortest major championship favorite since Tiger Woods commanded similar respect in 2009.
Television coverage begins Thursday with USA Network carrying early action from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, followed by Peacock streaming from 5-8 p.m. The weekend features NBC's signature coverage, with Saturday and Sunday broadcasts running from 12-8 p.m. ET. Canadian viewers can follow the action on TSN networks throughout the week.
The marquee Thursday grouping features Tiger Woods teeing off at 7:29 a.m. from the 10th tee alongside Will Zalatoris and Matthew Fitzpatrick. Woods returns to Pinehurst No. 2 for the first time since his memorable 1999 runner-up finish, when Payne Stewart claimed victory in dramatic fashion.
Another power-packed threesome sends Justin Thomas, Brooks Koepka, and Collin Morikawa off at 7:40 a.m. Thursday. Koepka, a two-time U.S. Open champion, carries +1,900 odds despite his recent LIV Golf transition. The group combines for five major championships and represents different pathways in professional golf's current landscape.
Thursday's afternoon wave showcases the tournament's premier grouping, with world No. 1 Scheffler joined by Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele at 1:14 p.m. McIlroy, seeking his first major since 2014, shares +1,100 odds with Schauffele, who captured the PGA Championship just weeks ago at Valhalla.
Bryson DeChambeau, Max Homa, and Viktor Hovland round out the notable afternoon groupings, teeing off at 1:25 p.m. from the 10th tee. DeChambeau won the 2020 U.S. Open and brings his length advantage to Pinehurst's strategic demands.
Scheffler's incredible form positions him as the clear favorite despite Pinehurst's reputation for humbling golf's elite. His five victories in eight starts this season, combined with a statistical dominance not seen since Woods' prime, makes him a worthy betting favorite. However, his odds suggest a 75% probability that someone else will claim the trophy.
McIlroy and Schauffele share secondary favoritism at +1,100, reflecting their recent major championship pedigree and consistent world ranking positions. McIlroy's quest for a fifth major and first in a decade adds compelling storylines to an already star-studded field.
Koepka's presence at +1,900 odds reflects both his major championship experience and questions about his current form. The four-time major winner has thrived in golf's biggest moments but faces scrutiny about his competitive sharpness since joining LIV Golf.
Ludvig Aberg continues his rapid rise at +2,200 odds, seeking to become just the second player to win a major in his debut season since Ben Curtis at the 2003 Open Championship. The Swedish rookie has impressed in limited major appearances.
Tommy Fleetwood (+3,500) and Max Homa (+4,000) represent solid mid-range options, with both players possessing the precise iron play and mental fortitude required for U.S. Open success.
Recent U.S. Open winners have generally posted scores between 6-under and 10-under par, suggesting Pinehurst No. 2's restored difficulty should provide the demanding test the USGA desires. Wyndham Clark's 10-under victory at Los Angeles Country Club in 2023 marked the fifth consecutive U.S. Open won at 6-under or better.
Pinehurst No. 2's distinctive crowned greens and strategic bunkering will test every aspect of the players' games. The course's design philosophy emphasizes precision and course management over raw power, potentially leveling the playing field among the world's best.
As the golf world converges on North Carolina's Sandhills region, the stage is set for another memorable U.S. Open championship where legends are made and dreams are realized or shattered on one of golf's most revered venues.