Scottie Scheffler Implodes on 5th Hole, Jeopardizing U.S. Open Cut

Scottie Scheffler Implodes on 5th Hole, Jeopardizing U.S. Open Cut

A Shocking Turn of Events for World No. 1 at Pinehurst No. 2

In an unexpected twist at the U.S. Open, World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler finds himself on the brink of missing the cut—a scenario few anticipated. On Friday at Pinehurst No. 2, Scheffler’s performance starkly contrasted with his reputation as the best golfer in the world.

Throughout his second round, Scheffler struggled mightily. For the first time this season, he failed to make a single birdie, a concerning sign given his usual prowess on the greens. While his missed birdie putts were problematic, it was his play on the par-5 5th hole that truly jeopardized his chances of making the cut.

Starting the hole at 3-over for the championship, Scheffler found the fairway with his tee shot and faced a decision with 262 yards left to the hole. Opting for aggression, he aimed to capitalize on what is typically the easiest hole on the course. However, his bold approach did not pay off. His shot missed the green left—a critical error on this hole. The ball rolled down the slope and settled in the sandy native area among some shrubbery.

Ironically, Scheffler’s playing partners, Xander Schauffele and Rory McIlroy, also found themselves in a similar predicament. But Scheffler’s trouble was just beginning. As the farthest from the hole, he played first and unfortunately duffed his chip, with his Titleist 7 ball rolling back to his feet. Now facing a daunting double-bogey, his second attempt overshot the green, leaving him with a challenging chip from the right side of the putting surface. Failing to get up and down, Scheffler recorded an unfortunate double-bogey seven.

This blunder dropped Scheffler to 5-over for the championship, where he ultimately finished the round. Signing for a 4-over 74, Scheffler ranked last in strokes gained putting among the Friday morning wave. He repeatedly missed good opportunities, reminiscent of struggles he faced earlier in the year before an impressive winning streak.

Despite the setback, Scheffler still has a glimmer of hope to make it to the weekend, but he will need significant help. Players in the afternoon wave must struggle even more than he did for Scheffler to advance. This situation starkly contrasts with pre-tournament discussions, which focused on whether Scheffler would win, not if he would make the cut.

The U.S. Open’s brutal nature is on full display, taking no prisoners, even those considered favorites. The conversation has shifted dramatically, and golf fans around the world are now anxiously watching to see if Scheffler can survive to play the weekend.