Enjoy a game of golf on a serene course. - Kaymer's Return to Pinehurst No.2 - US Open
Golf greats like Tiger Woods, top contender Scottie Scheffler, and Martin Kaymer will tee off at the Pinehurst Resort and Country Club in North Carolina this Thursday for the 124th US Open. Kaymer, aged 39, is making a return to the stunning location where he previously won the US Open in 2014.
Let's dive into the players to watch at the third major tournament of the season:
Martin Kaymer
A decade ago, Kaymer, a then-29-year-old LIV professional, achieved his greatest success at the Pinehurst No.2 course when he emerged victorious in the US Open. In 2014, he outshined his competitors with an extraordinary eight-stroke lead, clinching his second major title in a spectacular manner. The Pinehurst win was Kaymer's last individual title before he joined the LIV Tour. This weekend, the German golfer celebrated a comeback win at the tournament in Houston with his team, "Cleeks," securing the team competition.
Scottie Scheffler
With the current world number one ranking, the 26-year-old American is undoubtedly the front-runner for the US Open title. This season, Scheffler has already triumphed in five PGA Tour tournaments, including a second win at the prestigious Masters in Augusta. Recently, he dominated the warm-up event in Dublin, Ohio. To date, his 13 season starts have garnered over $24 million in prize money.
Tiger Woods
Despite his physical limitations, the 47-year-old Californian remains a fan favorite. Woods, a 15-time major champion and former number one in the world, will undoubtedly draw crowds in Pinehurst. However, he doesn't top the list of favorites after a series of injuries. In February 2021, Woods endured a severe car accident that shattered his right leg. Since then, he's played very few tournaments.
Stephan Jaeger
Two Germans will participate in the US Open: Kaymer and Stephan Jaeger, a 35-year-old Munich-native living in the US. Jaeger is enjoying a successful season on the PGA Tour. He secured his first-ever win in early April at the Houston tournament. At Pinehurst, Jaeger, currently ranked 44th in the world, has a shot at becoming a surprise winner.
The Course
The 124th US Open will take place on the renowned Pinehurst No.2 course. The strategically designed course, built-in 1907 by Donald Ross, measures 6,996 yards for a par of 70. Its dramatic, fast greens will pose a significant challenge to the players. The Pinehurst Resort and Country Club is located about 150 kilometers east of Charlotte in North Carolina.
Read also:
- Martin Kaymer, a LIV professional and the 2014 US Open champion at Pinehurst No.2, is set to compete in this year's US Open, held at the same venue in North Carolina.
- The field for the 124th US Open includes PGA Tour standout Scottie Scheffler, currently the world number one, who will be vying for the title alongside legendary golfer Tiger Woods.
- During a break from the US Open preparations, Martin Kaymer, along with his team "Cleeks," celebrated a recent victory in the Houston tournament, adding a team event title to his impressive resume.
- The international stage of the US Open will also feature Stephan Jaeger, a German golfer living in the US, who won his first PGA Tour title just a few weeks ago at the Houston tournament, raising his world ranking to 44th.
- The US Open will be played on the famed Pinehurst No.2 course, a strategically designed layout by Donald Ross that has hosted numerous major tournaments, including five previous editions of the US Open, and continues to challenge golfers with its fast, dramatic greens.
