After a wet, soggy and soft PGA Championship last month at Valhalla, Pinehurst No. 2 figures to offer the opposite test.
Players arrived this week to find a classic U.S. Open venue for a classic U.S. Open setup highlighted by firm and fast conditions.
Defending champion Wyndham Clark has already said Pinehurst No. 2‘s famous domed greens are “borderline” as he gets ready for the championship.
“If they get any firmer and faster, the greens, I mean, they’d be borderline,” he said. “They already are borderline.”
While the USGA setup team has ways to slow the course down and avoid the disaster from the 2004 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, the forecast does give a chance for things to get much more fiery as the tournament gets underway.
According to Thor Guard Weather Chief Meteorologist Jake Swick, who is doing the official U.S. Open forecasts for the USGA this week, temperatures are starting in the low 80s this week and climbing into the low-to-mid 90s by Thursday and Friday. There’s also just a small chance for rain or thunderstorms throughout the week, especially on Friday and Saturday afternoons.
But there was also rain last week at Pinehurst. Compared to Tiger Woods’ scouting trips before then, it doesn’t seem to matter.
“The golf course has firmed up and gotten faster since then,” he said Tuesday. “Even this week, even with the rain we had the other night, the golf course is still faster.”
Combined with the rising temperatures this week, Bryson DeChambeau said controlling spin will be key.
“Spin rate actually drops. So when the grass gets dried out, I’ll have to be watching out for dried-out grass because that ball will go forever,” he said. “If it gets hotter, it’s definitely going to provide a different challenge that we’ve all got to adapt to, and hopefully I can adapt better than others to give myself a good chance.”
Keep reading below for the Full U.S. Open forecast from Swick and keep checking back here throughout the week as new forecasts are released.
U.S. Open weather forecast
From Thor Guard Weather Chief Meteorologist Jake Swick.
(This article will be updated throughout the week as new forecasts are released.)
Thursday
Weather: Mostly sunny
Rain Probability: PM 20%
Lightning Probability: 20%
Rainfall: N/A
Temp (Low/High): 68˚/90˚
Wind: SSE 5-10 mph G10-15
Friday
Weather: Partly sunny with chance of PM t-storms
Rain Probability: AM 20%, PM 40%
Lightning Probability: 40%
Rainfall: N/A
Temp (Low/High): 70˚/94˚
Wind: SW 5-10 mph G10-15
Saturday
Weather: Partly sunny with chance of PM t-storms
Rain Probability: AM 20%, PM 40%
Lightning Probability: 40%
Rainfall: N/A
Temp (Low/High): 68˚/92˚
Wind: N to E 5-10 mph G10-15
Sunday
Weather: Mostly sunny
Rain Probability: 20%
Lightning Probability: 20%
Rainfall: N/A
Temp (Low/High): 66˚/90˚
Wind: E 5-10 mph G10-15
