Expert Doubts Favorite Scheffler at Shinnecock

Scottie Scheffler, the world's top-ranked golfer, faces a challenging outlook for the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, according to golf analyst Shane Bacon. Despite being the favorite, Bacon expressed reservations, suggesting the demanding nature of the course and potential winds might expose the parts of Scheffler's game that have not been at peak performance this season.

Bacon drew parallels to Jordan Spieth's season, noting that Scheffler, like Spieth, has experienced weeks where different aspects of his game, such as driving, iron play, or putting, have faltered. This inconsistency leads Bacon to believe the course's difficulty could be detrimental rather than advantageous for Scheffler.

Scheffler enters the U.S. Open with odds of +445 and is pursuing a career Grand Slam, a significant goal for him. While he admitted to not feeling as sharp as he'd like this year, he stated that the Grand Slam itself is not his primary motivator, but rather striving to be the best version of himself.

Tournament organizers have released tee times, with Scheffler scheduled to begin his first round on Thursday at 8:14 a.m. ET. On Friday, his group is set to tee off on Hole 10 at 2:09 p.m. ET. The grouping consists of the reigning U.S. Open champion, U.S. Amateur champion, and the Champion Golfer of the Year.