SOUTHAMPTON, NY. US Opens are a mental and physical test. No doubt on that front. The former plays an even more important role than the physical. Being able to endure the rigorous conditions and equally being able to continue to grind onward is no small feat.
Scottie Scheffler’s play at Shinnecock Hills was hardly indicative of his world ranking as golf’s top male player.
Scheffler started the championship with a hard-earned two-over-par 72. His standing was not helped when Wyndham Clark posted a superb six-under-par 64. After 36 holes, Scheffler trailed Clark by seven shots. The pattern in falling behind early in majors was not a unique dimension just at Shinnecock Hills. At this past April’s Masters, Scheffler spotted winner Rory McIlroy no less than a dozen shots after 36 holes at Augusta but would eventually close that gap to one shot and ultimately finishing in the runner-up position.
To his credit, Scheffler battled throughout his 72-hole play. Grinding out golf scores when one’s game is not working on all cylinders can be a draining exercise.
The storyline for Scheffler coming into this year’s US Open was one only Hollywood could have envisioned. The four-time major winner was seeking to complete the career Grand Slam with a victory at Shinnecock Hills. Interestingly, if the win did happen it would occur both on Father’s Day and Scheffler’s birthday in turning 30.
During Saturday’s 3rd round Scheffler rebounded from a slow start with two early bogeys and produced several birdies on the inward half. As a result of his play, he would be in the final pairing with Clark.
The pressure of a final round in any major championship can be suffocating. Clark had the advantage of a six-shot lead but such margins can be overcome on a layout as challenging as Shinnecock Hills.
The key is getting off to a solid start in order to up the ante on the pressure meter.
Scheffler bogied the opening hole — something he had done the day prior. One birdie took place on the par-5 5th, but that momentum was derailed when bogeying the par-3 7th and tallying a one-over-par 36 on the outward side. Scheffler did get some help from Clark who played even worse with a score of 38.
As the two came to the 10th, it was clear Scheffler needed to get things going in order to mount a serious challenge. He did that with a birdie to start the back nine but at holes 11, 12 and 13 his good birdie tries came up empty and when he three-putted the 14th his pathway for victory essentially ended.
Scheffler did finish T4 and took solo second at this year’s Masters. His play in 2026 still remains at a high level and he holds the top spot in the Fed-Ex Cup playoff standings.
In 2025 Scheffler won two major titles (PGA and The Open) raising his total to four overall. Winning majors are the key separation events by which one’s legacy in the game is determined.
The disappointing aspect for Scheffler was that after having grinded so hard to get to the final Sunday pairing his play only produced a fairly non-descript round of one-over-par 71.
For a golfer who has been the dominant force in world golf for several seasons, the ride to a fitting birthday climax Sunday turned out to be one where Scottie blew out all the candles on his cake before he could taste the first bite.
A career Grand Slam opportunity will now be put on hold until next June at Pebble Beach.
Onward now to The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.
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M. James Ward
A long-time member of both the GWAA and MGWA. The 68-year-old has covered all facets in golf since 1980 — including reporting on over 100 major championships and 13 Ryder Cup matches. His writings have appeared in various outlets. On a personal level, has played over 2,000 courses globally and is lead reviewer for Top 100 Golf Courses.
Previously served for 17 years as national course rating panelist for Golf Digest. Has also personally competed in USGA Championships. Resides in the metro New York City area with his wife Celeste. Favorite quote paraphrased for golf — “You are what your golf score says you are.”