Rory, Scottie, and Course Carnage: 3 Big Storylines for Next Week's U.S. Open at Oakmont

Folks, it’s almost time for the U.S. Open. Truly one of the best weeks of the year. And this edition is set up to be a classic with all the big names playing at the top of their games, and Oakmont being set up for carnage.

I don’t know if I’m going to leave my couch for four days—I wouldn’t want it any other way.

As we get closer, I wanted to talk through three storylines that I’ll be keeping a close eye on come Thursday morning, starting with the golf course.

U.S. Open: Weather Forecast for Oakmont Country Club

Carnage

I have a feeling the golf course is going to be the biggest story next week. Word is that the greens are going to run around 14-15 on the stimpmeter, and the rough is up to five inches tall. Yeah, five inches. Even with a wedge, it’s going to be hard to advance the ball more than 50 yards outta that stuff. The boys better hit a lot of fairways, or it could get ugly.

Looking back at the 2016 leaderboard, Dustin Johnson won at 4-under, but second place was 1-under. With the conditions on deck next week, there’s a pretty decent chance that the winning score might be over par. I know these guys are pretty good, but Oakmont is one of the hardest tracks on the planet, and it’s the ideal setup for a U.S. Open.

Give us all the carnage.

Scottie Scheffler

Speaking of carnage, it feels like all that doesn’t really apply to Scottie. He’s just too good. With how hard this place is gonna be, I have a feeling this could be Scottie’s version of 2000 at Pebble Beach. For those of you who are unfamiliar, Tiger Woods was 12 under after 72 holes that year and second place came in at 3 over. A 15-shot win! It’s widely considered as the best display of golf we’ve ever seen.

How about an encore from the Texan?

Plus, last month he finally added his first non-Masters major at the PGA Championship and is now halfway to the Career Grand Slam. If he wins the final two majors of the season, he’ll join Rory McIlroy as the latest inductee into the most prestigious club in the sport.

Call me crazy, but I could absolutely see that happening. The way he’s playing? I’d call that a pretty good bet.

Rory McIlroy

The Career Grand Slam-er. The now five-time major champion. What is he gonna do?

He hasn’t had his best stuff since slipping on the Green Jacket, tying for seventh at the Truist at for 47th at the PGA. With his resume at Quail Hollow, that was a little bit of a shock. I’d love to use the nonconforming driver excuse, but Scottie’s was deemed illegal as well and he went on to win the tournament.

He also missed the cut at the Canadian Open this week.

As for next week’s U.S. Open, Rory has some scar tissue from last year. He had one hand on the trophy with a handful of holes left, but three late bogeys gift-wrapped the tournament for Bryson DeChambeau. It’s going to be interesting to see if that chip on his shoulders propels him into contention at Oakmont.

But he might not need the help. Here’s a look at his recent U.S. Open finishes: 2nd (Pinehurst, 2024), 2nd (Los Angeles Country Club, 2023), T-5 (The Country Club, 2022), T-7 (Torrey Pines, 2021), T-8 (Winged Foot, 2020), and T-9 (Pebble Beach, 2019).

I’d say that’s pretty good.

The only thing he’s missing there is a win. We’ll see in nine days if he changes that.