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  • Rory McIlroy eager to chase down Bryson DeChambeau for a U.S. Open title on Sunday

    Rory McIlroy eager to chase down Bryson DeChambeau for a U.S. Open title on Sunday

    Pinehurst

    Rory McIlroy said he was doing a lot of scoreboard watching Saturday at the U.S. Open.

    And, yes, he was paying close attention to Bryson DeChambeau.

    When McIlroy finished up his third round at Pinehurst No. 2, getting in with a 1-under 69, DeChambeau was the leader and rolling along at 8 under par for the tournament, 4 shots ahead of McIlroy.

    While doing a quick NBC interview, McIlroy said, there was a monitor showing DeChambeau playing the par-4 16th hole.

    “I know what happened there,” he said.

    What happened was DeChambeau took a double-bogey 6, losing 2 shots of his lead. DeChambeau then responded with a birdie at the par-3 17th and parred the last hole for a 3-under 67 and 3-shot lead over McIlroy, Patrick Cantlay and Matthieu Pavon of France.

    Those are the kind of fluctuations that can and will occur at Pinehurst No. 2. Odds are, Sunday’s final round will be filled with them as the players attempt to carefully work their way around the golf course, mindful of what can happen at every turn and trying to dodge any disasters and big numbers.

    “I love the test that Pinehurst is presenting,” McIlroy said Saturday. “You’ve got to focus and concentrate on every single shot out there. It’s the way a U.S. Open should be like.

    “Lots of holes are playing very, very difficult. No matter what happens, I feel like, 2 shots, 3 shots, 4 shots, I’ll have a great chance tomorrow.”

    That’s all the golfers could hope for when the week began at Pinehurst: go into Sunday’s final round, in the heat, with a chance to win.

    McIlroy opened the week with a first-round 65, tying Cantlay for the lead. McIlroy followed with a 72 on Friday, then the 69 Saturday.

    While it can seem hard to fathom, McIlroy has not won a major title since 2014, when he claimed both the British Open and the PGA Championship.

    That came after his monumental U.S. Open victory at Congressional Country Club outside Washington, D.C., in 2011 — he set the Open scoring record and won by 8 shots — and a first PGA title, in 2012.

    He was ranked No. 1 in the world and has held the top position for more than a 100 weeks during his career. McIlroy hasn’t been able to win a Masters and complete a career Grand Slam — the one major blemish on his golf resume — but has been one of the world’s most accomplished and publicized golfers for almost two decades, winning 40 titles worldwide and 26 on the PGA Tour.

    After missing the cut in three straight U.S. Opens, from 2016 to 2018, McIlroy has finished in the top nine in the past five and was second to Wyndham Clark last year at Los Angeles Country Club.

    McIlroy said No. 2 was a little “crispy” Saturday but indicated it was just the kind of U.S. Open test he expected and has embraced.

    “I’m embracing the questions that the golf course has,” he said. “There are holes when you have to be aggressive, holes where you have to be conservative. There are hole locations you can take on and hole locations you have to stay away from.

    “It tests your chipping, it tests your putting. It obviously tests your mental fortitude more than any other golf tournament. So, yeah, as I said, it’s the style of golf that I started trying to embrace over these last few years and a reason my performance at the U.S. Open has been much improved.”

    At 35, he may be ready to win one again. His golf form is there. His personal life is in order.

    There is not as much rhetoric about the PGA Tour and the rival LIV Ttour, although Sunday’s final round will have a leading PGA Tour man (McIlroy) chasing a leading LIV star (DeChambeau).

    “I’ve been in this position many times before and hopefully tomorrow I produce the golf that can get one better,” he said.

    In more than 40 years at The N&O, Chip Alexander has covered the N.C. State, UNC, Duke and East Carolina beats, and now is in his 15th season on the Carolina Hurricanes beat. Alexander, who has won numerous writing awards at the state and national level, covered the Hurricanes’ move to North Carolina in 1997 and was a part of The N&O’s coverage of the Canes’ 2006 Stanley Cup run.

    Chip Alexander

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  • Want to go to the U.S. Open at Pinehurst? Here’s what you need to know before you go

    Want to go to the U.S. Open at Pinehurst? Here’s what you need to know before you go

    The grandstands continue to go up around the 18th green at Pinehurst No. 2, where the U.S. Open golf championship will be played June 13-16 at Pinehurst Resort and Country Club.

    The grandstands continue to go up around the 18th green at Pinehurst No. 2, where the U.S. Open golf championship will be played June 13-16 at Pinehurst Resort and Country Club.


    Chip Alexander

    The 2024 U.S. Open golf tournament is returning to North Carolina, and will be played at Pinehurst’s famed Donald Ross-designed No. 2 course.

    Whether you’re a seasoned attendee or a first-timer, here’s everything you need to know to make the most of your U.S. Open experience:

    Tickets

    If you haven’t snagged your tickets yet, do it now! The U.S. Open won’t return to Pinehurst until 2029, so head to the U.S. Open Tickets page to secure your spot.

    Your tickets will be digital, so download the USGA mobile app on your iOS or Android device. Once logged in, tap the ticket icon, select “My Tickets” and follow the prompts to access your tickets. Don’t forget to have your QR code ready at the gate! Screenshots will not be accepted.

    A link to the USGA Mobile Ticket Guide can be found here.

    How to get there by train

    Getting to Pinehurst will be a breeze this year, thanks to the “Open Express.” This alternative from the N.C. Department of Transportation and Amtrak will provide trains from Raleigh and Cary to Pinehurst each day from June 13-16.

    These trains drop you off right near the Pinehurst No. 2 golf course, where the tournament will take place. Tickets are $25 each way and can be purchased in advance at Amtrak’s website. Type or select “Pinehurst NC” and either Raleigh or Cary when choosing your origin and destination.

    The train leaves Raleigh Union Station at 7 a.m. and Cary at 7:15 a.m., arriving in Pinehurst around 9 a.m. The return trip departs Pinehurst at 6:35 p.m., stopping in Cary at 8:30 p.m. before arriving back to Raleigh by 8:45 p.m. Cost is $25 each way. It’s a stress-free and scenic way to get to the tournament.

    How to get there by car

    If you prefer to drive, Pinehurst is roughly 70 miles southwest of Raleigh, about a 1.5-hour drive. From Charlotte, it’s about a 2-hour drive.

    Parking can be tricky with 250,000 spectators expected to attend. Thankfully, there are two complimentary public parking lots with shuttle service to the course. The Red Lot is to the north, while the Blue Lot is to the south.

    According to the Pilot newspaper in Southern Pines, the following directions should be followed:

    • Fans traveling from points north and using U.S. 1 southbound should exit onto U.S. 15-501 South in Sanford and follow signage to the Red Lot.
    • Fans traveling from points north using Interstate 73-74/U.S. 220 southbound should exit onto N.C. 211 East and follow signage to the Red Lot.
    • Fans traveling from points west using N.C. 24-27 eastbound should proceed to Interstate 73-74 South and follow signage to the Red Lot.
    • Fans traveling from points south using U.S. 1 northbound should follow trail signage to the Blue Lot.
    • From Interstate 95, fans should take Exit 31 in St. Pauls for N.C. 20 West and follow trail signage to the Blue Lot.
    • Fans traveling from points west using the U.S. 74 East Bypass should proceed to U.S. 1 North and follow signage to the Blue Lot.

    Check out the U.S. Open Fan Guide for specific locations, maps and addresses. If you’re using rideshare services like Uber or Lyft, they will drop you off at a designated area near Midland Road (NC-2), which is a short walk from Gate 6.

    Where to stay

    Accommodations are in high demand. If you’re still looking for a place to stay, the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area Convention & Visitors Bureau has a list of options with limited availability this upcoming week.

    These include 1878 Bed and Breakfast, Airport RV Park, Amerivu Inn & Suites Aberdeen or Cardinal Park.

    Pinehurst: Beyond the greens

    While golf is obviously the main event, there’s plenty to do in Pinehurst and the surrounding areas. Check out the new Golf House Pinehurst, which includes the World Golf Hall of Fame, or stroll through the quaint village of Pinehurst.

    If you’re into craft beer, don’t miss the Sandhills Pour Tour, where you can get a passport and collect stamps as you visit local breweries. The area offers everything from Southern comfort food to fine dining and local favorites like the North & South Bar for a post-game bourbon or whiskey.

    Final tips: Making the most of your day

    Arrive early: Whether you’re driving or opting for the train, getting an early start can help you beat the crowds.

    Dress comfortably: Temperatures will get up into the 90s this week, so wear lightweight clothing and comfortable shoes.

    Stay hydrated: Bring a reusable water bottle (check the fan guide for rules on what’s allowed) to use throughout the day.

    Download the USGA app: It’s your go-to source for interactive maps, event schedules, live streaming and real-time updates.

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    Shelby Swanson

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  • Hadley, Simpson among locals to clinch US Open spot at Pinehurst in Duke qualifier

    Hadley, Simpson among locals to clinch US Open spot at Pinehurst in Duke qualifier

    Chesson Hadley, with wife/caddie Amanda watching, hits his approach shot on the 17th hole at Duke University Golf Club during U.S. Open final qualifying on Monday. Hadley made birdie on 17 to finish 4-under-par and earn a spot in Pinehurst in two weeks.

    Chesson Hadley, with wife/caddie Amanda watching, hits his approach shot on the 17th hole at Duke University Golf Club during U.S. Open final qualifying on Monday. Hadley made birdie on 17 to finish 4-under-par and earn a spot in Pinehurst in two weeks.


    Luke DeCock

    ldecock@newsobserver.com

    Durham

    Chesson Hadley walked off the 18th green after finishing up a par and said, “Hope it’s enough,” to anyone in the gallery who was listening.

    After a relatively drama-free wait, Hadley’s 4-under-par was enough to get him to Pinehurst for the upcoming U.S. Open, with the silver trophy sitting at the scoring table as a visible reminder of the stakes.

    The tour pro from Raleigh was one of seven at Duke University Golf Club on Monday to emerge from a field of 84 — the usual mix of kids, journeymen, tour pros and, in this case, a previous U.S. Open champion, one Webb Simpson — at final qualifying to claim a spot at Pinehurst Golf and Country Club in two weeks.

    Simpson was another, finishing at 4-under as well thanks to a downhill, twisting birdie putt on 18, his third in four holes. It was a fitting conclusion to a wild 36 holes that saw him hit three balls out of the water — a new personal record — amid 11 birdies and seven bogeys.

    “I hadn’t played much golf here but certainly I’m impressed with the golf course, and if you’re a little off, you pay for it,” Simpson said. “And I was a little off a few times and paid for it. But thankfully, I made a bunch of putts and I think in a qualifier like this, number one, you’ve got to play smart and not give away holes because you’ve only got 36 to play. And number two, you’ve got to make putts. And I was able to make some putts.”

    His exemption for winning at Olympic Club in 2012 ran out two years ago and he wasn’t exempt otherwise after finishing 136th in the FedEx Cup standings last year, but Simpson, a Raleigh native who lives in Charlotte, also couldn’t imagine not playing at Pinehurst.

    “I love Pinehurst,” Simpson said. “It’s my second home. We have a house there. I wanted to be there so bad. I’ve been thinking about it for a long time. I’m excited.”

    Hadley had company during his round, with his wife Amanda caddying for him. She carried his staff bag for a nine-hole practice round in Phoenix this spring when his regular caddie had travel issues — “It about ripped my shoulder up,” Amanda Hadley said — but she used a lighter bag and a pull cart for Monday’s 36 holes — a slog for most, but some unexpected quality time for the Hadleys.

    “He’s been gone for two weeks and I’ve had all three kids for two weeks straight, but they were at camp and with grandparents today, and we got to spend eight hours together, which is pretty fun,” Amanda Hadley said. “I am getting in his ice bath, and he’s putting the kids to bed tonight, but other than that, I’m good.”

    Playing without his usual caddie and flying solo also gave Chesson Hadley a chance to focus on his game and routine, and he played the last few holes knowing he was on the razor’s edge of the qualifying line. He narrowly missed chipping in for birdie on 16, hit his approach within a few feet on 17 for birdie and just missed a birdie putt on 18.

    “I knew I for sure needed one more,” Hadley said.

    As it turned out, not only was it enough, it was enough to get through clean, one shot ahead of the playoff.

    “I didn’t hit it very well the first 18,” Hadley said. “Made some nice putts. I was not prepared, not that I hadn’t seen it before, but it was nasty hard out there today. It was a day of patience.”

    It was a longer day of patience for the seven golfers who ended up playing two extra holes in the gloaming for two spots in Pinehurst. Raleigh’s Carter Jenkins claimed one of them, while N.C. State’s Spencer Oxendine is an alternate. Ryan Gerard’s par on the first playoff hole wasn’t enough to advance, a rough end to a long day for the Raleigh native.

    Duke became the first site since 1975 to be a venue for both local and final qualifying after Old Chatham, which was a final qualifying site for the first time a year ago, was unable to host. Oxendine was among the five survivors from those 84 hopefuls on April 29. Simpson and Hadley were both among the survivors Monday, a meaningful result for both, coming back home to earn the right to play in a U.S. Open at home.

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    Sports columnist Luke DeCock joined The News & Observer in 2000 and has covered seven Final Fours, the Summer Olympics, the Super Bowl and the Carolina Hurricanes’ Stanley Cup. He is a past president of the U.S. Basketball Writers Association, was the 2020 winner of the National Headliner Award as the country’s top sports columnist and has twice been named North Carolina Sportswriter of the Year.

    Luke DeCock

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