As we draw nearer the final days of the US Open, the last two rounds have been nothing but thrilling.
On 18 Rahm makes an impressively difficult putt to par the last hole and end his day on -1.
Schauffele attempts a birdie on the Postage Stamp but makes an error, remaining at -2. In this article, we will discuss the main point of US Open Golf Leaderboard 2024.
1. Bryson DeChambeau
DeChambeau stands out as one of golf’s most enigmatic players and long-drivers, winning eight times on the PGA Tour and earning his first major at Pinehurst No 2. Born in Modesto, California and attending Southern Methodist University in Dallas to study physics he became one of his country’s eight PGA Tour Tour winners and received his first major title win at Pinehurst No 2 in 2020.
He is best known for sporting a flat cap inspired by Ben Hogan in tournament rounds and serving as an outspoken advocate for golf. His style and approach are unorthodox – for instance experimenting with side-saddle putting for some time during 2016 (wherein he faced towards the hole while using pendulum motion to strike putter head against hole), using jumbo Max grips on clubs to keep ball within palm.
Bryson DeChambeau used his approach to golf during the US Open 2024 to take an early lead. By playing conservatively off the tee and being rewarded with good scoring opportunities he managed four birdies against just two bogeys for an early advantage.
Rory McIlroy was one of DeChambeau’s chief rivals and came close with a birdie at the 10th, where he missed an attempt at taking three-shot lead at 11th when his par putt from short range was missed; but DeChambeau quickly took advantage by paring 11th before Tyrrell Hatton from England produced an long-range birdie putt on 13th to pull even.
2. Rory McIlroy
Rory Daniel McIlroy MBE is a Northern Irish professional golfer competing on both the European Tour and PGA Tour. He has spent over 100 weeks at number one of the Official World Golf Ranking, as well as winning multiple major championships.
McIlroy had an impressive amateur career, topping the World Amateur Golf Ranking for one week as a 17-year-old in 2007. Shortly thereafter he turned pro and quickly established himself on the European Tour, eventually winning his first major in 2011 before going on to add two more over time.
2024 marks his seventh US Open, and he’s been close to cracking the top-10 all week at Pinehurst’s No. 2 course. In particular, his third round was quite strong with some strong iron play and par putts.
He had an opportunity to record three consecutive birdies on the final hole, but instead made a costly mistake and bogeyed instead. Though this marked an unfortunate end to an otherwise strong round for Irishman, there remains hope he may claim his fourth major championship title.
DeChambeau missed his eagle putt on the par-4 13th hole, which would have given him an edge of one shot over McIlroy going into the final round. Both are tied at six under and Patrick Cantlay and Ludvig Aberg are in contention on four under each; Hideki Matsuyama and Bubba Watson remain further back.
3. Patrick Cantlay
At the conclusion of Round 2 at Pinehurst No. 2 for the 124th US Open, Patrick Cantlay found himself in a rare position rarely experienced before: tied for first with Rory McIlroy after shooting five-under 66!
Cantlay may have fallen back after his strong start, but the former PGA champion still has an opportunity to win his first major by shooting an even-par 70 on Saturday and closing to within three shots of DeChambeau for the lead, setting up an intriguing final-round pairing on Sunday.
Cantlay made his first bogey on the fourth hole by missing a short par putt, yet managed to rebound with an amazing birdie on the fifth by rolling in a 15-footer. Additionally, Cantlay managed parred the sixth and eighth holes before hitting his approach on 17 within 20 feet of the flag for yet another par.
Lowry makes an easy putt for par on the 14th, while experiencing issues with his tee shot on the 13th. On 16th he has an opportunity for birdie but misses it; Colin Morikawa and Scottie Scheffler also had chances to make birdies but failed, dropping to +2. Meanwhile Jon Rahm double-bogeyed while Brooks Koepka dropped back down to +1 as well.
4. Hideki Matsuyama
Hideki Matsuyama made the cut at this year’s US Open and currently sits in third position after two rounds, tied with Patrick Cantlay and Thomas Detry at 4-under par. Matsuyama played well in his round on Sunday to show his intention of making a serious comeback this year’s competition.
Matsuyama had his best performance of this season when he won the Genesis Invitational tournament in February, becoming only the ninth PGA Tour title winner and moving closer towards 20 worldwide wins overall. Additionally, this 32-year-old represented Japan at the Olympic Games this summer, competing in seven-man playoff to secure bronze.
Matsuyama made significant strides forward following his opening 66 on Friday to move up 42 spots and now holds eighth position with a 2-under 69 at Pinehurst. Birdies proved pivotal to Matsuyama’s progress as his putter has proven difficult; switching models this week seems to be working better for him.
Matsuyama’s impressive, bogey-free round was an encouraging sign as he heads into Moving Day of the US Open. He will look to build on his T8 finish from last tournament and get into contention at the top of the leaderboard; playing alongside some of golf’s elite, Matsuyama could become an unlikely candidate to lead heading into Round 18.
5. Bubba Watson
Bubba Watson has become one of the most acclaimed players in golf without taking professional lessons; instead he learned all he knew from self-tutoring and competing against top competition himself. Furthermore, Bubba boasts of being a hometown hero from Southern Pines, North Carolina where he grew up himself.
Lefty Gary Whelan began playing golf at age 6 when his father gave him a cut-down 9-iron to practice hitting whiffle balls around the house. Whelan also excelled as a baseball player for high school and college teams but eventually decided to focus solely on golf at Faulkner State Community College in Alabama and Georgia University before turning professional in 2001.
Watson has always excelled at putting, making him an ideal candidate to win at this year’s U.S. Open course in Pinehurst. He ranks first in Strokes Gained: Approach and Around the Greens categories that play such an integral part of this major tournament.
Watson has enjoyed an outstanding year on the PGA Tour, winning one tournament (Greenbrier Classic) and placing in the top 30 at one major (The Open Championship). At this year’s U.S. Open he’ll be joined by fellow PGA Tour players Jon Rahm and Patrick Cantlay as well as 2023 FedExCup winner Viktor Hovland as well as former major champions Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth – heaving factors that contributed to Watson’s rankings success on tour.
6. Xander Schauffele
Xander Schauffele made history at Royal Troon by becoming the second major winner this season, after taking home the Claret Jug. Schauffele claimed his maiden major at PGA Championship and shot an exceptional final round 65 to claim both titles this year.
Schauffele made two birdies on the back nine and holed four putts inside 15 feet to pull ahead of Justin Rose, Thriston Lawrence and Russell Henley for an overnight lead. Schauffele is known for his precise ball striking ability, making him one of the more underrated golfers – perhaps one that could surprise us all and win this tournament as a dark horse contender?
Schauffele’s iron shot on the 13th green hits its target and leaves him around 30 yards for birdie; if successful, Schauffele is in the lead at seven-under. Meanwhile, Rose’s par attempt on this same hole slipped by him, keeping him at five-under.
Schauffele misses the 14th green and is left with an eight-foot putt for birdie; he makes it and becomes sole leader at seven-under. Lawrence hits an aggressive tee shot on 15th, leaving himself an 18-foot putt to stay within striking distance of Schauffele but mis-hits it and now sits tied for third with Rose and Henley at six-under.