As the second round of the 2024 U.S. Open at The Country Club drew to a close, so emerged the first clear-cut winners and losers. Here is a look at how some of the top players for this year’s title fared on Saturday.
Winners of the 2024 U.S. Open: McIlroy, Finau, Scheffler, others shine
Rory McIlroy leads the charge, claims third U.S. Open title by two strokes
Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy returned to the U.S. Open winner’s circle for the first time in eight years, following his victory at the 2011 U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club. McIlroy, who came into the week in excellent form after claiming the Wells Fargo Championship and the RBC Canadian Open, held off a spirited challenge from Tony Finau and Scottie Scheffler to win by two strokes.
Tony Finau finishes second, rising to the occasion under pressure
Tony Finau once again proved his affinity for major championships, claiming his first runner-up finish at the U.S. Open. After entering the final round three strokes adrift of Scheffler, Finau fired a six-under-par 65 to post a -6 aggregate of 278, falling just short of McIlroy’s 276 after a remarkable charge on Sunday. Finau’s performance confirmed his status as one of the sport’s most dangerous contenders in the world’s most challenging events.
Scottie Scheffler settles for third, closes the season with five PGA TOUR wins
Despite entering the final round as the leader after three impressive rounds of golf, Scottie Scheffler could not contain the remarkable performances from McIlroy and Finau. Scheffler, who claimed five PGA TOUR wins during the 2023-24 season, will rue a poor start to his final round, carding a double-bogey on the second hole that put him on the back foot early on. Scheffler eventually signed for a three-under-par 68 to complete the U.S. Open tied-third alongside Sepp Straka.
Max Homa, Collin Morikawa finish in top-10, signal their return to form
A resurgent 2023-24 season continued for Max Homa, claiming a tied-fifth finish at the U.S. Open. Homa carded rounds of 68, 70, 68, and 69 to share fifth place with Dustin Johnson, signifying his return to the top after an uncharacteristically quiet 2023 season. Collin Morikawa, a two-time major winner, also announced his return to his best, taking the other tied-fifth position alongside Homa and Johnson.
Jon Rahm, Justin Thomas experience disappointing weekend
World number four Jon Rahm entered the final round within striking distance of McIlroy, with the Spaniard only two strokes from the lead. However, a disappointing final round, compounded by a triple-bogey seven on the 11th hole, sent Rahm tumbling down the leaderboard into a tie for 31st place. World number five Justin Thomas similarly experienced a disappointing weekend, falling out of contention following a 74 in the third round. Thomas rallied on Sunday to finish in a tie for 24th place.
Losers of the 2024 U.S. Open: A look at the disappointments
Losers of the 2024 PGA Championship: A Look at the Disappointments
The 2024 PGA Championship was a tale of two cities, with six players emerging as triumphant victors and an equal number enduring the bitter sting of defeat. Among the latter group, several notable names failed to live up to expectations, leaving golf fans wondering what might have been.
Bryson DeChambeau’s Power Play Falters
Once hailed as the future of golf, Bryson DeChambeau’s power-hitting approach proved ineffective against Bethpage Black’s demanding layout. The American struggled to find the fairways and greens, and his once-feared long game failed to produce the desired results. DeChambeau’s disappointing performance raised questions about the sustainability of his strategy in the face of challenging course conditions.
Former World Number Ones Falter
Patrick Cantlay and Dustin Johnson, both former world number ones, also faltered at Bethpage Black. Cantlay, known for his precision and consistency, made several uncharacteristic errors that cost him dearly. Johnson, on the other hand, struggled with his putting, missing several key shots that could have kept him in contention. The failures of these two highly ranked players highlighted the unpredictable nature of golf and the importance of performing at one’s best on the biggest stage.
Brooks Koepka’s Struggles Continue
Brooks Koepka, a four-time major champion, has been struggling to regain his peak form since undergoing knee surgery in 2021. At Bethpage Black, Koepka once again failed to find his rhythm, shooting rounds in the 70s and finishing well out of contention. The American’s struggles raised concerns about his ability to return to the level that made him one of the most dominant players in golf.
Phil Mickelson’s Sixth Major Elusive
Phil Mickelson’s bid for a record-breaking sixth major victory ended in heartbreak at Bethpage Black. The American, who had been showing signs of resurgence in recent months, failed to produce his best golf when it mattered most. Mickelson shot a disappointing final round to finish outside the top 20, leaving his quest for history unfulfilled. The defeat marked a bitter end to what had been a promising season for the 53-year-old.
Jordan Spieth’s Career Grand Slam Evaporates
The most poignant tale of woe at the 2024 PGA Championship belonged to Jordan Spieth. The American had the opportunity to complete the career Grand Slam with a victory at Bethpage Black, but his hopes evaporated with a heartbreaking final-round collapse. Spieth started the day with a four-shot lead, but he quickly stumbled, making several costly mistakes that allowed his rivals to close the gap. Spieth’s collapse was a cruel reminder of the fine margins that separate success and failure in golf, and it left him disappointed and empty-handed.
Analysis of the 2024 U.S. Open: What went right and wrong
The 2024 U.S. Open was a tournament of ups and downs, with several players making big moves up the leaderboard and others falling out of contention. Here’s a look at some of the things that went right and wrong for the players in the field:
What went right
- Ludvig Aberg: The 25-year-old Swede had a breakout performance at the U.S. Open, finishing in a tie for fourth place. Aberg shot rounds of 68-69-71-70 to finish at 8-under par, just four shots behind winner Rory McIlroy.
- Rory McIlroy: McIlroy finally won his first U.S. Open title after years of close calls. The Northern Irishman shot rounds of 67-69-68-71 to finish at 12-under par, two shots ahead of runner-up Jon Rahm.
- Tony Finau: Finau had another strong performance at the U.S. Open, finishing in a tie for third place. The American shot rounds of 69-70-69-71 to finish at 9-under par.
- Scottie Scheffler: Scheffler continued his strong form in 2024 with a tie for third place at the U.S. Open. The American shot rounds of 70-69-72-70 to finish at 9-under par.
What went wrong
- Jon Rahm: Rahm was the runner-up at the U.S. Open, but he could have easily won the tournament. The Spaniard shot rounds of 69-70-69-73 to finish at 10-under par, just two shots behind McIlroy.
- Patrick Cantlay: Cantlay was one of the favorites heading into the U.S. Open, but he missed the cut after shooting rounds of 73-75.
- Xander Schauffele: Schauffele is another player who missed the cut at the U.S. Open. The American shot rounds of 74-75.
- Justin Thomas: Thomas had a disappointing U.S. Open, finishing in a tie for 37th place. The American shot rounds of 70-75-72-74 to finish at 1-over par.
Recommendations for the 2025 U.S. Open: Lessons learned from this year’s event
With the 2024 U.S. Open concluding, it’s time to reflect on the lessons learned and consider how they can inform our approach to the 2025 tournament. Here are a few key recommendations:
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Emphasis on Accuracy and Course Management: The challenging greens and narrow fairways at Los Angeles Country Club highlighted the importance of accuracy and course management over distance. Players who focused on placing their shots in the right spots and avoiding hazards were more likely to succeed.
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Balance Power and Finesse: While distance always plays a factor in majors, the 2024 U.S. Open demonstrated the need for a balanced approach. Players who could bomb it off the tee but also control their irons and putts had the best chance of contending.
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Adaptability to Challenging Conditions: The unpredictable weather, firm greens, and thick rough tested players’ abilities to adapt on the fly. Players who could adjust their game plan and make quick decisions under pressure were at a distinct advantage.
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Importance of Putting: The undulating and fast-paced greens made putting a crucial factor in this year’s U.S. Open. Players who could roll it consistently and read the breaks effectively separated themselves from the pack.
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Don’t Overlook the Dark Horses: The 2024 U.S. Open featured several surprise performers, such as Joel Dahmen and Hayden Buckley. These players proved that even those not considered favorites can contend in the right conditions and with the right mindset.
the 2024 U.S. Open was a captivating tournament that featured both triumph and setbacks for the participating golfers. Rory McIlroy’s triumph was a testament to his perseverance and unwavering belief in his abilities, while Finau’s runner-up finish marked a significant milestone in his career. Scheffler’s disappointment was a reminder of the demanding nature of the sport, while the emergence of Aberg and Korda highlighted the depth of talent within the golfing world. As the golf season continues, these players and many others will undoubtedly seek to build upon their performances at the U.S. Open and challenge for further success on the greens.
