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Scottie Scheffler didn't shoot his way out of the U.S. Open on Day 1, but it wasn't the opening round he hoped for. And there's one stat that best sums up why the World No. 1 is off to a slow start at Shinnecock Hills.
Scheffler found 12 of 14 fairways on Thursday, so clearly his driver wasn't the problem. His irons? That was a different story.
RELATED: Watch a major champ hit an all-time hosel rocket at Shinnecock
Despite putting himself in good shape off the tee on nearly every par 4 and par 5, Scheffler failed to capitalize with his approach shots. For the day, the four-time major champ only hit half of Shinnecock's greens in regulation and finished with a two-over-par 72.
That combination, as you might imagine, is rather unusual for Scheffler. In fact, according to stats guru Justin Ray, it's the first time in Scheffler's career that he's has hit that many fairways and hit less than 11 greens.
Those who have been following Scheffler's season know his iron play has been down from his lofty standards. After leading the PGA Tour in strokes gained: approach the past three seasons, Scheffler only ranks 16th in that all-important stat this season.
At the time of this post, he ranked 132nd in the field in that metric. And it doesn't take a stats guru to know that he's going to need to improve a lot in that area if he's going to complete the career Grand Slam this week.
MORE GOLF DIGEST U.S. OPEN COVERAGE
U.S. Open 101: Answering all your frequently asked questions
How to watch the 2026 U.S. Open
First and second round tee times at Shinnecock Hills
Power Rankings: Every player in the U.S. Open field, ranked
Here’s the record prize money payout for each golfer at the U.S. Open
Video: Every hole at Shinnecock Hills
Why can't the USGA get Shinnecock Hills right? Our interactive guide explains
What’s a ‘good’ shot at Shinnecock? The difference between our editos and tour average
Breaking down Scottie Scheffler’s chances to complete the career Grand Slam
Every chip shot you’ll see at Shinnecock Hills, explained
Continue reading...
Scheffler found 12 of 14 fairways on Thursday, so clearly his driver wasn't the problem. His irons? That was a different story.
RELATED: Watch a major champ hit an all-time hosel rocket at Shinnecock
Despite putting himself in good shape off the tee on nearly every par 4 and par 5, Scheffler failed to capitalize with his approach shots. For the day, the four-time major champ only hit half of Shinnecock's greens in regulation and finished with a two-over-par 72.
That combination, as you might imagine, is rather unusual for Scheffler. In fact, according to stats guru Justin Ray, it's the first time in Scheffler's career that he's has hit that many fairways and hit less than 11 greens.
Those who have been following Scheffler's season know his iron play has been down from his lofty standards. After leading the PGA Tour in strokes gained: approach the past three seasons, Scheffler only ranks 16th in that all-important stat this season.
At the time of this post, he ranked 132nd in the field in that metric. And it doesn't take a stats guru to know that he's going to need to improve a lot in that area if he's going to complete the career Grand Slam this week.
MORE GOLF DIGEST U.S. OPEN COVERAGE
U.S. Open 101: Answering all your frequently asked questions
How to watch the 2026 U.S. Open
First and second round tee times at Shinnecock Hills
Power Rankings: Every player in the U.S. Open field, ranked
Here’s the record prize money payout for each golfer at the U.S. Open
Video: Every hole at Shinnecock Hills
Why can't the USGA get Shinnecock Hills right? Our interactive guide explains
What’s a ‘good’ shot at Shinnecock? The difference between our editos and tour average
Breaking down Scottie Scheffler’s chances to complete the career Grand Slam
Every chip shot you’ll see at Shinnecock Hills, explained
Continue reading...
