Pinehurst in a nutshell: Why shot selection will make or break dreams of US Open glory

What does it take to win a US Open at Pinehurst?

I sat on Pinehurst’s perilous 13^th green on Saturday which derailed the ‘boring golf’ express of Tony Finau, Ludvig Aberg, and more. Here’s my view on what it will take to walk away as the US Open champion.

I write this as the early Sunday groups head out to convince themselves for one last time that Pinehurst No.2 can be tamed with the right approach. But by the time you’re reading this, we may even know who has won the ‘war of attrition’ and been crowned 2024 US Open at this ‘cathedral of golf’ that has lived up every bit to its billing as a right old brute.

A few things struck me yesterday sitting above the treacherous 13^th green, luckily not a ball.

Firstly, I don’t know whether that front right pin position, elevated and fraught with danger on every side was cruel or just perfect for ‘moving day’?

But secondly, what is more important at Pinehurst…shot selection or shot execution?

The scenario that prompted these dehydrated musings (I’ve had several this week), was the differing fortunes of Tony Finau and Rory McIlroy.

Both were perfect off the tee, leaving themselves the best angle possible from 130-odd yards to tentatively attack the pin which had kept the greenkeeper up all night chuckling to himself. Two exceptional approaches right at the pin which both end up wiping their feet and reversing back off the green to the collection area beneath the hole. Standard Pinehurst.

The margins are so tight between ‘perfect’ and ‘damage limitation’. Many other PGA courses you will get away with it. Not a Pinehurst.

It was what happened next though that nailed home the consequences of compounding errors around Course No.2.

Big Tone pulls out the putter. Not uncommon at Pinehurst, but this one had some traveling to get up and over the steep apron but with almost no momentum by the top so that it could trickle down to the hole. This putt was still in third gear when it got to the top! Racing to the bunker beyond.

Right shot – poor execution, or wrong shot – poor execution?

Don’t get me wrong, it was a tough chip, but it felt like a wedge was the most likely chance of getting any control of the ball’s destiny. Rory took the high road, stopping it within 5-6 feet. Far from a gimmie, but strong percentage play.

Out of the sand comes Tony. Back down the hill goes Tony. Now the chipper comes out. Take two. And to rub salt it, the double bogey putt stayed up. McIlroy rolled in a professional par and just like that, a three-shot swing. One has a great chance to win, one has to hope a lot goes his way.

It’s why Bryson’s lead going into Sunday is so fragile, and he will feel it, as will Rory and the chasing pack.

Perhaps confidence has a role to play in decision-making, particularly toward the backend of a mentally and physically draining US Open week. But one thing is for certain. If you have a weakness, Pinehurst will sniff it out.

Execution remains paramount still. If simply choosing the right shot to play was all that mattered then the caddies may as well have a crack.

Moments later, I’m watching it all unfold again! This time with Ludvig Aberg. Slightly heavy-handed with the chip, ending up on the same beach as Tony before reenacting his next four shots for a seven of his own. Doh!

Interestingly, the 13th hole only ranked the 11th hardest on Saturday but had four scores worse than a double-bogey. That’s Pinehurst in a nutshell for me. Those with the discipline to continually keep choosing the right shot, playing away from pins, and executing with precision will come through the least unscathed. And ‘least unscathed’ around here probably means having a chance to win.

Take your par and run for the (sand) hills.

But just when I thought ‘boring golf’ conquers all…‘Let’s go Crushers’, cries out from the grandstand. Is Greg Norman here? Now a whole chorus of Crushers fans are whooping and hollering.

Bryson had just gone straight at the pin from the fairway bunker and stiffed it to within a few feet. He missed the fairway off the tee and attacked the flag from the rough. Pinehurst can be Pinehurst, but let Bryson be Bryson. What do I know?

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About the author

Ross Tugwood

Senior Digital Writer

Ross Tugwood is a Senior Digital Writer for todays-golfer.com, specializing in data, analytics, science, and innovation.

Ross is passionate about optimizing sports performance and has a decade of experience working with professional athletes and coaches for British Athletics, the UK Sports Institute, and Team GB.

He is an NCTJ-accredited journalist with post-graduate degrees in Performance Analysis and Sports Journalism, enabling him to critically analyze and review the latest golf equipment and technology to help you make better-informed buying decisions.