Wyndham Clark Claims Greens For The US Open At Pinehurst Are Already Lightning Fast

Getty Image / Gregory Shamus

Wyndham Clark knows a thing or two about playing well at a US Open.  He won last year at Los Angeles Country Club for his first career major championship win, beating out Rory McIlroy by one stroke.

That US Open was panned for being too easy of a setup for what is usually golf’s toughest test, as he won with a score of -10. But, according to Wyndham Clark, this week’s setup at Pinehurst No. 2 is diabolical.

Green speeds are one of the most important factors in determining how tough a golf course is going to play. And, with three days before the first round, he claims the greens are already rolling really fast.

Given it’s only Monday, that does not bode well for low scores, to say the least. And, the weather may only exacerbate those tough greens.

A quick peak of the forecast shows that it’s expected to be very hot and very dry this week in south-central North Carolina. The superintendent can try to water the greens, but it’s going to be awfully tough to keep up with temperatures in the high 80’s with no rain. Those greens are going to bake and get even harder and faster.

In the last two US Opens held at Pinehurst No. 2, only three players broke par combined. That being said, in 2014, the last time it was featured, Martin Kaymer did play the four days in an impressive -9, winning by eight strokes.

I would be stunned if anyone gets to that number this week. With the greens already playing this fast and the weather only going to make them faster, it’s going to be brutal.

Scottie Scheffler is a huge favorite, settling in at around +300. Most books don’t have another player inside +1000.