Xander Schauffele wrapped up nine holes of the most punishing U.S. Open course and was smiling. This was on a Monday, only a practice round at Oakmont. But the image illustrates why Schauffele rarely seems to suffer at the major reputed to be the toughest test in golf.
A look at some of the anniversaries this year at the U.S. Open:
On a long day when it felt everything was going wrong, Cameron Young birdied three of his last four holes Monday to get into a 5-for-1 playoff and then made a 12-foot birdie to earn his spot in the U.S. Open in two weeks at Oakmont.
Scottie Scheffler practically had the course to himself when he arrived a day early at the PGA Championship, a time to get reacquainted with Quail Hollow. He had played it only at the Presidents Cup in 2022 when the holes were a little out of order because of the format.
The PGA Championship released its field Tuesday for next week at Quail Hollow, leaning heavily on the top 100 in the world ranking and giving full consideration to players from the Saudi-funded LIV Golf League.
The Mount Rushmore of golf now has six faces carved into granite, and for that Rory McIlroy should feel as though he achieved the highest pinnacle in golf.
Rory McIlroy had every reason to believe the Masters would be the first major he won.
For now, there's another tradition unlike any other at the Masters: The first opportunity in nine months for all the world's best players to compete against each other.
Two majors made Xander Schauffele believe he was capable of winning them all. Two months out of golf with a rib injury is putting that belief to the test.
Tiger Woods can't get back to golf soon enough. Anything to keep him off social media.
