Scottie Scheffler faced a challenging start to his U.S. Open campaign, finishing his opening round over par at Pinehurst No. 2. Despite being the world's top-ranked player and a favorite to win his third major, Scheffler struggled to find his usual form on Thursday.
Playing alongside Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele, Scheffler carded a 1-over 71, with two birdies and four bogeys. This left him trailing behind McIlroy, who shot a bogey-free 65 to share the lead with Patrick Cantlay. Schauffele finished the day at even-par.
Scheffler's rare over-par performance was a departure from his recent dominance on the course. Having won five of his last eight tournaments, including the Masters and the Memorial, Scheffler was expected to continue his impressive streak at the U.S. Open.
Despite some early setbacks, Scheffler showed flashes of brilliance throughout the round. He struggled with a few key putts but managed to finish strong with a birdie on the 17th and a solid par on the 18th. Determined to improve, Scheffler headed straight to the practice range after signing his card, preparing for the challenges ahead.
With ground to make up on Friday, Scheffler will need to regroup and refocus to climb back into contention at the U.S. Open. His ability to bounce back from adversity will be tested as he looks to overcome a rare off day and showcase his championship-caliber skills on the demanding Pinehurst course.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Scheffler as he aims to reaffirm his status as one of the top players in the world and make a strong push for victory at the U.S. Open.
