Scheffler Aims for Career Grand Slam at 126th US Open

World number one Scottie Scheffler is set to pursue a significant milestone in his career as he competes in the 126th US Open at Shinnecock Hills, starting Thursday. If successful, Scheffler will become the seventh male golfer to achieve a career Grand Slam, a feat he could complete on his 30th birthday, June 21.

With four major championships and 20 PGA Tour victories under his belt, Scheffler is eager to add the US Open title to his accolades. "Winning the career Grand Slam, I think that's something any golfer would dream of," he remarked last year. "But at the end of the day, I'm just trying to get the most out of myself."

Should he triumph, Scheffler would join an elite group that includes legends like Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, and Rory McIlroy, all of whom have won each of the four major tournaments at least once. His previous major wins include the 2022 and 2024 Masters, as well as the PGA Championship and British Open from last year.

Excited about the tournament, Scheffler expressed his admiration for the US Open, stating, "I love my country, I would love to be able to win my national open." His best finish in this event came in 2022 when he tied for second. Recently, he visited Shinnecock for a practice round and noted the challenges posed by the course's difficult greens and narrow fairways.

Rory McIlroy, a prominent contender and six-time major champion, will likely be Scheffler's main rival. McIlroy, who recently secured his second consecutive Masters title, also practiced at Shinnecock on June 1. While he missed the cut during the last US Open held there in 2018, he was the runner-up in both 2023 and 2024.

McIlroy commented on the course conditions, highlighting that while the fairways are forgiving, the rough presents a significant penalty for wayward shots. He expressed optimism about the adjusted green sizes, which he believes will enhance playability compared to past tournaments at the venue.