Scottie Scheffler targets US Open history as Brooks Koepka suffers injury
World number one Scottie Scheffler is targeting a historic career Grand Slam at the upcoming US Open, while fellow major champion Brooks Koepka’s participation is in doubt following a hand injury.
The 29-year-old is among the favourites to secure the title at Shinnecock Hills this weekend.
A victory in New York would see the American become only the seventh golfer in the modern era to win all four major championships.
Despite tying for 12th at the recent Canadian Open and remaining winless since January, the two-time Masters champion arrives with high expectations.
Scouting a challenging Shinnecock Hills
Shinnecock Hills has historically proven to be a severe test during previous US Open tournaments.
The notoriously difficult layout prompted the world number one to conduct an early scouting mission to familiarise himself with the conditions.
“Once you start missing fairways out there, you have no chance,” Scheffler said regarding his experience at the venue.
“But the fairways are generous enough to where it provides you some opportunity and that way it’s just that the green complexes are extraordinarily difficult, and so they can put the pins wherever they want and make the scores as high as they could possibly want them to be.”
The Texan acknowledged the immense pressure of completing the Grand Slam but insists he is embracing the monumental task ahead.
Pushing the boundaries of major golf
The United States Golf Association is renowned for creating punishing setups that test the mental fortitude of the world’s elite.
When the major was last staged at Shinnecock Hills in 2018, the winning score was just one-over-par.
“It’s hard when you run one tournament a year – and you run it on a different golf course every year – to get it just right,” Scheffler added.
“And you’re trying to make it hard. I think in the US Open, they push the boundaries. If they’re going to continue to push the boundaries, eventually they’ll screw up and then they’ll dial it back.”
Koepka suffers untimely injury setback
Meanwhile, five-time major winner Brooks Koepka was forced to withdraw from the final round of the Canadian Open on Sunday.
The 36-year-old experienced severe numbness in his hand, leaving him unable to properly grip his clubs.
This latest physical setback raises serious concerns over his availability for the upcoming major.
Koepka previously conquered Shinnecock Hills during his 2018 triumph, but now faces a tense race against time to be fit for the latest edition.
