OAKMONT, Pa. — Scottie Scheffler, the world’s top-ranked golfer, faced an unexpected struggle during this year’s U.S. Open. Despite being a favorite to win, following victories in three of his last four tournaments—including the PGA Championship and The Memorial—Scheffler finished with an even-par 70 on Sunday, ending the tournament at 4-over and tying for seventh place.
Known for his exceptional ability to avoid bogeys on the PGA Tour, Scheffler encountered difficulties with 17 bogeys and a double bogey throughout the tournament, marking a personal record for a single event.
“I felt like I did some good things out there,’’ Scheffler stated. “A few more putts drop today, I think it’s a little different story. My first three days, I felt like I was battling the whole time. Today I hit some shots. I hit some putts that I really thought were going in, hit some lips. It was just challenging. I was just right on the edge today. I battled as hard as I did this week.’’
Tyrrell Hatton, who wrapped up his week tied for fourth at 3-over par, expressed disappointment after bogeying the last two holes. A challenging downhill lie on No. 17 proved pivotal for Hatton.
“It was [a] pretty tough day,’’ said Hatton. “The finish at the end hurts a lot. What happened on 17 is going to hurt a lot for a long time. I’m sad about how I finished, but I’m very happy for J.J. [Spaun, the winner], like to win a major in that fashion is amazing.’’
Among the five local players from the Met Area competing in the event, Cameron Young—who honed his skills at Sleepy Hollow—initially surged into contention with birdies on the first two holes, bringing himself to 1-over par. However, he struggled to maintain that momentum, finishing with a score of 3-over, also tied for fourth.
“I got off to a really nice start, then had no idea where the ball was going to go for about 12 holes,’’ Young recounted.
In his first U.S. Open, Ryan McCormick from Middletown, N.J., concluded the tournament at 14-over after recording his best round of 71. Fellow debutant James Nicholas from Scarsdale finished at 19-over with a final round of 77. Chris Gotterup, also from Fair Haven, N.J., shot 74, finishing at 8-over, while Max Greyserman from Short Hills, N.J., matched that score.
In a competitive final round, Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy both achieved the day’s best scores at 3-under 67. Rahm concluded the tournament at 4-over, capped by three consecutive birdies. “It’s crazy because it doesn’t feel like I played that different to every other round,’’ he remarked.
McIlroy ended up at 7-over, breaking a streak of finishing under par in the previous four U.S. Opens, despite having a strong opening three rounds, including seven birdies.
This year’s U.S. Open marked the third consecutive time the leader after 54 holes failed to secure victory, following similar outcomes in 2016 and 2007.
Sam Burns, who entered the final round one shot ahead, struggled with a score of 78, ultimately finishing at 4-over.
Justin Hastings was the only amateur to make the cut among the 15 in the field, guaranteeing him the title of low amateur regardless of his performance. He ended the tournament at 15-over after a final round of 76. “It was such a treat just to be able to play in the U.S. Open and then let alone have the success to be able to call yourself low amateur,’’ he said. “It’s something I’ll hold onto for the rest of my life.’’
Hastings earned his spots in the Masters, U.S. Open, and British Open by winning the Latin America Amateur Championship in January. He plans to turn professional after the British Open, stating, “We want to get on the PGA Tour as soon as possible.’’
Canadian golfer Corey Conners withdrew before his final round due to a wrist injury. The 33-year-old was set to play at 10:20 a.m. alongside New Zealand’s Ryan Fox.
On an interesting note, the par-3 eighth hole played as the longest par-3 in U.S. Open history at 302 yards on Sunday. Rahm humorously noted, “Luckily, it was downwind, I’ll just say that. How do you approach that? You most likely pull the head cover off one of the clubs and then hope it goes straight. Today, I chose to hit a 5-wood. I think 3-wood I could have landed it closer to pin high.”