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With the event returning to Pinehurst No. 2, here's a look back at some of the most epic finishes from the last times the course hosted the U.S. Open.

Tiger Woods won the event by a remarkable 15 strokes, a record that stands to this day.

Heading into the U.S. Open, the unusual golfer -- who once seemed to grate competitors and fans alike -- has evolved into a sensation on the internet and on the grounds of golf tournaments.

Jon Rahm withdrew from the U.S. Open on Tuesday, citing an infection in his left foot.

It’s the latest disappointment in a year bereft of accomplishments—and that has the former top-ranked player in the world struggling to keep pace with Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele and others of the game’s best.

Rahm arrived to Pinehurst sporting one flip-flop to keep his foot dry. A lesion had developed between his pinky and ring toe, causing an infection. The injury led him to withdraw from LIV Houston last week despite receiving a pain-killing injection during the tournament.

The issue didn’t improve much at Pinehurst so Rahm called it quits well in advance of Round One. He announced the decision via Twitter on Tuesday afternoon.

“The pain was high,” he said. “The infection was the worrisome part. The infection is now controlled, but there’s still swelling and there’s still pain.”

The USGA has plans to discuss a potential pathway for LIV Golf League members to compete in the U.S. Open via a new exemption category, CEO Mike Whan said.

With the U.S. Open this week, the team at Shot Scope has pulled some performance statistics from their database to see how real golfers tackle the Pinehurst No. 2 par-3s and what it might mean for the pros playing in this week’s U.S. Open.

Over the years, there have been some pivotal moments on the par-3s at Pinehurst, with Payne Stewart and Michael Campbell both making birdie on the 17th to seal their victories down the stretch in 1999 and 2005, respectively.

About Pinehurst No. 2

Before we get into the par-3s, here are some general stats on the course.

Pinehurst No. 2 has 111 bunkers over its 196 acres. Of those 196 acres, there are 61 acres of turf, 41 acres of fairway and zero acres of conventional rough. 

Instead of rough, players can find themselves playing from hardpan sand/native sandscape, wiregrass, pine needles and pinecones. This is what is referred to as ‘rough’ in the Shot Scope stats.

The Toulon Golf Small Batch Pinehurst putter honors Payne Stewart’s win in the 1999 U.S. Open at Pinehurst. The Toulon Pinehurst is center-shafted with Payne-inspired tartan graphics.Available June 13 at ToulonGolf.com with a MSRP of $1,800.

Did you ever know something without really knowing why you know it?

You are familiar with it, but ignorant of it at the same time.

For me, this “it” was the classic Payne Stewart victory pose.

Naturally, I’d seen the statue and watched the videos of him posing but, for some reason, I never really learned the story behind it.

The pose occurred at the 1999 U.S. Open at Pinehurst. I suppose that my wife being pregnant with our first kid in 1999, watching golf was not a priority.

Layers are important.

We’re not talking about the multitude of layers on a flaky croissant or a zesty seven-layer dip.

Learning to properly layer your golf apparel is paramount if you want to be comfortable and agile on the golf course.

Layers that are too bulky can mess with your swing. Layers that don’t provide enough insulation can leave you colder than your putter.

In short, learning to layer (and choosing the right layers to fit your game) is important if you want to play your best. Unlike the layers on that buttery croissant I mentioned, more isn’t always better.

You will never be good at any shot unless you practice a consistent swing that performs well for you. This is pretty basic stuff. Most golfers spend too much time on the range swinging with their driver. Unfortunately, golf is a game played with every club in your bag and each one can hurt or benefit your game every time you play.

Tennis is a lot like golf when it comes down to hitting any shot. Technique is critical but you need to perfect various types of serves, forehand shots and backhand shots to be a great tennis player. To improve my game, I took a single lesson to learn the proper serve as it seemed to be the most critical shot similar to being able to hit a great drive.

I was fortunate to have courts in a park next to our house so I would regularly practice serves using buckets of balls at least 4 days every week. Unfortunately, as a single player practicing my serve the rest of my game suffered.

Reading an article by an editor at GOLF.COM, I realized that his golf game suffered the same fate. His drives and full swing approach shots were great but he could not make chips and flop shots around the green. His friends complimented his game and said, “Its too bad he couldn’t score well”. That set him on fire with determination to clean up his game.

Solution
He learned to trust the bounce for each of his lofted clubs. His old habit was to close the face of his wedges to keep the ball lower to control his shots. When he saw the success that he was having with his open-faced lob shots, his game turn around. Consistent practice allowed him to build confidence for each angle of his lofted clubs so that he could roll or stick his chip and flop shots.

Despite historically short odds to win the U.S. Open, Scottie Scheffler is attracting a considerable number of betting tickets to claim golf's third major of the season.

The winner of the 2024 U.S. Open trophy will receive $4.3 million of a $21.5 million purse, the largest ever awarded in a men's major championship.

Who can win? Who has the best betting value? What props are the most interesting? Let's look at the 2024 U.S. Open.

There's no shortage of good golf at Pinehurst Resort, but arguably the most fun course on property is hiding in plain sight this week.

The post The must-play course at Pinehurst Resort is hidden this week appeared first on Golf.

This week's U.S. Open returns to Pinehurst No. 2. Michelle Wie West explains the key to taming Donald Ross' masterpiece.

The post What’s the key to winning at Pinehurst? Former champ explains appeared first on Golf.

Led by Scottie Scheffler, the world's top golfers will take on Pinehurst No. 2 at the U.S. Open this week, where spots in the Olympic men's golf tournament are also up for grabs.

With the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2 this week, the tee sheet on the famous course is booked. But there are other great ways to spend time.

The post 10 great things to do in and around Pinehurst, according to our local expert appeared first on Golf.

The new Vessel Carbon Lux stand bag is one of those rare, full-circle kind of offerings. It includes new technology introduced in a limited-edition “concept car” product that actually made it to rank-and-file construction.

That is, of course, if you consider a $455 golf bag to be “rank and file.”

Vessel has created a very nice niche among golfers who want, dare we say it, a little luxury in their golf bags. Make no mistake, the new Vessel Carbon Lux stand bag is most assuredly a “luxury” golf bag.

What makes it so luxurious is a compelling story. Whether you want/need that luxury is entirely up to you.

It boils down to what you want in a golf bag compared to what you need in a golf bag.

On this week's episode of "Kostis & McCord: Off Their Rockers," the titular hosts examine the genius of Pinehurst No. 2.

The post Peter Kostis, Gary McCord explain the ‘genius’ of Pinehurst No. 2 appeared first on Golf.

An array of golfing superstars have taken home the U.S. Open, including Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods, and Jack Nicklaus. Check out all-time winners now.

Get an inside look at the GOLF team's Monday and Tuesday experience on the ground at Pinehurst No. 2, host of the 2024 U.S. Open.

The post Tiger’s new coach, ‘borderline’ greens | Seen and Heard at Pinehurst appeared first on Golf.