‘World’s toughest endurance test’

Welcome to GOLF.com’s “Seen & Heard” video series, where we give you an inside look at golf’s biggest events through the eyes and ears of our local team. On deck this week: the 2024 US Open at Pinehurst No. 2 in Pinehurst, North Carolina. Let’s go!

CYMI: New Tiger trainer, green ‘border’ | Seen and Heard in Pinehurst

On Wednesday, US Open contenders were dialing in their games for Thursday’s opening round, and the GOLF.com team was eager to get the players’ take on what No. 2 how hard will you play.

Sean Zak wanted to test how tufty wiregrass can be a punishment for errant shots. After rolling three balls and testing the lie, it was clear that missing the fairway could be costly this week.

Zak also caught up with fan favorite Harry Higgs, fresh off a Korn Ferry Tour victory in May. Higgs delivered what might be the line for the tournament, which he said came from his caddy: “This is not going to be golf,” Higgs said of this week’s US Open. “This will be the toughest test of patience in the world.”

Very well!

One of the coolest parts of the US Open is the fact that anyone can earn a spot in the field by qualifying. GOLF editor Alan Bastable caught up with one such player. Colin Prater is a 29-year-old high school biology teacher from Colorado, and this year, he’s playing in his first US Open.

“Do you bring golf into the classroom at all?” Bastable asked.

“Yeah, I think my kids are probably sick and tired of hearing about it,” Prater replied.

As the day wore on into the evening, everyone’s thoughts turned to Thursday’s opening round, and what would likely stand out.

James Colgan felt excited about rising star Ludwig Aberg.

“I feel really good about Ludwig right now,” he said. “I know he was dealing with this knee injury, I know he wasn’t playing his best, but I think when you talk about the US Open, you talk a lot about the US Open, it’s a battle of wits. , it is not a battle of skill. And I think he really has it between the ears. If you’ve ever seen him swing a golf club, you know he’s more than got the physical stuff to make that happen.”

Colgan was also impressed by what he saw in Max Homa and Xander Schauffele.

“He seemed depressed on the PGA,” Colgan said of Schauffele. “He seems comfortable in Pinehurst.”

The 2024 US Open is ready to begin. Bring it!

For information on all of the GOLF team’s activities at Pinehurst, check out the full playlist below – and stay tuned for more Seen & Heard throughout the week.

Golf.com Editor

As a four-year member of Columbia’s inaugural class of women’s varsity golfers, Jessica knows how to beat everyone on the golf course. He can pass them through the office, too, where he is primarily responsible for producing both print and online features, and overseeing major special projects, such as GOLF’s first Style Issue, which began in February 2018. His first interview series, “A Round With,” released in November 2015, and appeared in both magazine and video form on GOLF.com.