European Golfers Aim to Extend Major Success at Challenging US Open
The European golf contingent has achieved a remarkable start to the major championship season, and attention now turns to whether this momentum will carry through the demanding Shinnecock Hills course at the upcoming US Open. Following Rory McIlroy’s successful Masters defense, Aaron Rai secured an unexpected victory at the PGA Championship. This marks a significant milestone in the modern era, with European golfers claiming the first two majors of the year.
Several European stars are in contention, with Matt Fitzpatrick, the 2022 US Open champion, already boasting three PGA Tour wins this season. Jon Rahm, a consistent performer on LIV Golf, is also positioned as a strong contender for his third major title. Justin Rose has achieved top-10 finishes in both of the season’s initial majors. Tommy Fleetwood, who recorded a final-round 63 at this venue in 2018, finishing as runner-up to Brooks Koepka, also enters the tournament.
European Stars Poised for US Open Challenge
Young talents like Ludvig Åberg, Robert MacIntyre, and Tyrrell Hatton are each pursuing their maiden major championships. Rory McIlroy, speaking at his pre-tournament press conference, expressed his belief in the evolving adaptability of European golfers to major championship setups. “I think over time we [Europeans] have got a lot more comfortable with the style of golf that you need to play and the set-ups around here,” McIlroy stated.
McIlroy further commented on the course’s characteristics, suggesting it aligns more with a UK or European style of challenge compared to the previous two majors. “I would say this is more a UK or European style of test than certainly the first two majors at Augusta and Aronimink, so it certainly wouldn’t surprise me to see a few players from Europe and the UK in contention,” he added.
Potential for Multiple US Open Champions
The prospect of a European golfer emulating Brooks Koepka’s feat of back-to-back US Open victories looms. Koepka achieved this in 2018, following his breakthrough major win at Erin Hills. Now, multiple European players have the opportunity to join him as two-time US Open champions.
Jon Rahm’s recent form includes two LIV Golf victories this season and a runner-up finish to Tyrrell Hatton at Valderrama. He also tied for second behind Aaron Rai at the PGA Championship. Andrew Coltart, speaking on a golf podcast, shared his optimism for Rahm’s chances. “It would be nice to see Jon break through again,” Coltart remarked. “A double major champion, a winner at Torrey Pines way back in 2021 and he knows how to play this game. He is such, such a talented golfer.”
Coltart also acknowledged the course’s demanding nature. “I wonder how hot he’ll run this week, given the difficulty of the golf course and how it gets under your skin, but over the last three years he has played some of the most consistent top-quality golf in the world,” he added.
McIlroy and Fitzpatrick: Form and Experience
Rory McIlroy, who claimed his maiden major title at the US Open in 2011, has maintained strong performances, with top-20 finishes in his last seven appearances, including consecutive runner-up finishes in 2023 and 2024. A victory this week would place him on the verge of completing the third leg of the ‘double Grand Slam’.
Paul McGinley, a golf analyst, highlighted McIlroy’s recent development. “Over the last few years he has proved himself much better than he’s ever been in his career at playing difficult golf courses,” McGinley observed. “I think he’s a lot more of a patient player now and we’re seeing the consistency at the top-end of major championships in contention. He’s not racing into backdoor top-tens anymore – he’s in the conversation going into the last round. He’s certainly a factor and the wider fairways may well play into his psyche, give him a little bit more room and take a bit of the pressure off in terms of straightness with his driver.”
Matt Fitzpatrick, a former US Open champion, is enjoying a successful season with a runner-up finish at the recent RBC Canadian Open. Laurie Canter, speaking on a golf podcast, expressed his admiration for Fitzpatrick’s consistent high-level play. “I think whatever he does for the rest of his career, he [Fitzpatrick] will still be underrated – he’s that sort of person and player,” Canter stated. “I think his ability to keep churning out massive results on big golf courses – in the biggest tournaments – is hugely impressive.”
Canter further elaborated on Fitzpatrick’s game: “When you’ve got the driver and the putter the way he has most of the time, I think if your iron play improves then that probably unlocks a load of things for you, which is where all this form’s come from.”
Scheffler the Favorite Amidst Unpredictable Field
Scottie Scheffler enters the tournament as the pre-tournament favorite, aiming for his fifth major title in as many seasons. A victory would see him complete the career Grand Slam on his 30th birthday.
Brandel Chamblee, offering analysis, drew a comparison between Scheffler and Tiger Woods. “Even though he’s fallen off [this season], this is so close [statistically] to where Tiger Woods was,” Chamblee commented. “It doesn’t happen very often that someone comes along and makes more birdies than anybody else on average and also makes fewer bogeys than anyone else on average.”
Chamblee continued: “Even though it’s not one of his better years in terms of the raw data, when you look at how few mistakes and how many birdies he’s making, he’s right there with Tiger. Even in a year where he’s slightly off his game, he’s the player that you have to pick this week. You win so seldom in this game, but he is by far a bigger favourite than anybody else in the field.”
The US Open has a history of producing surprise winners, with the last four champions emerging from outside the world’s top 10. The challenging conditions expected at Shinnecock Hills, known as one of the toughest major venues, suggest this year’s tournament could again be unpredictable.
