--- title: "Scheffler one win from golf’s most exclusive club at Pinehurst" description: "World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler stands on the brink of history in the U.S. Open final round, needing a Pinehurst victory to complete the career Grand Slam." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/scottie-scheffler-in-final-group-of-u-s-open-in-pursuit-of-41f2d4a2 published: 2026-07-01T11:28:18.027+00:00 updated: 2026-07-01T11:28:18.027+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["golf"] --- # Scheffler one win from golf’s most exclusive club at Pinehurst > World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler stands on the brink of history in the U.S. Open final round, needing a Pinehurst victory to complete the career Grand Slam. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is in the final group for the last round of the U.S. Open at Pinehurst, one victory away from completing the career Grand Slam. A win would make him only the sixth man to claim all four majors. Scheffler already owns the Masters, PGA Championship, and Open Championship. The U.S. Open is the final piece needed to join an elite list that includes Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and Arnold Palmer. His final-round pairing at Pinehurst No. 2 sets up a high-stakes finale where every shot carries historic weight. Pinehurst’s brutal, undulating greens and thick rough demand precision. Scheffler’s ball-striking and iron play have been sharp all week, but the final round will test every facet of his game. Rivals like Xander Schauffele and Brooks Koepka lurk, each with their own major pedigree and hunger for a second green jacket. The final pairing—Scheffler and a competitor yet to be named—will walk off the 18th green with either a new name etched into golf’s record books or a story of near-miss immortality. The pressure is binary: glory or the agony of falling one major short. Golf Channel’s Brandel Chamblee called the moment “a coronation in progress” if Scheffler delivers. The broadcast team framed the narrative as a coronation in the making, with the world No. 1’s dominance leaving little doubt about his capability—only the outcome remains. Scheffler’s pursuit of the career Grand Slam is not without precedent. Ben Hogan, another golf legend, achieved the feat in 1953, becoming the fourth player to do so. Hogan’s path was marked by a series of intense battles with his contemporaries, including Sam Snead and Cary Middlecoff. Similarly, Scheffler’s journey to the top has been defined by his rivalry with Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm. The stakes at Pinehurst are not just about individual glory; they also reflect the broader narrative of golf’s shifting landscape. With the likes of Schauffele, Koepka, and Rahm pushing the boundaries of what is possible, the question remains whether Scheffler can maintain his dominance in the face of increasing competition. A win at Pinehurst would send a clear message: Scheffler is the standard-bearer of the modern game. The U.S. Open has long been the most unpredictable of the majors, with only 13 of the last 25 winners ranked outside the top 10 at the start of the tournament. Scheffler’s consistency—he has finished in the top 10 in 15 of his last 16 starts—contrasts sharply with the volatility that typically defines the event. His ability to navigate Pinehurst’s treacherous conditions could redefine expectations for major championship performance. Historically, the U.S. Open has been a launching pad for underdogs and a graveyard for favorites. The last player to enter the final round leading wire-to-wire was Brooks Koepka in 2017, a performance that announced his arrival as a major threat. Scheffler’s wire-to-wire lead in 2024—if he holds it—would not only secure the career Grand Slam but also reinforce the idea that dominance, not drama, defines the modern era of golf. What’s next: A Scheffler victory would trigger immediate induction into golf’s most exclusive club and reshape the 2025 major landscape. The PGA Championship next May becomes the first defense of his new status, while the Masters and Open Championship will crown him as the undisputed standard-bearer. If he falls short, the narrative shifts to who can break his stranglehold on the sport’s biggest stages. Why this matters: Scottie Scheffler's pursuit of the career Grand Slam is about joining an elite fraternity that defines golf's immortals. One more week of dominance at Pinehurst could cement his legacy alongside Nicklaus and Woods—or leave him on the cusp of history, waiting for the next chance. The outcome will determine whether golf’s future is written in the measured strokes of a champion or the chaotic brilliance of an upstart. ## Why this matters Scottie Scheffler's pursuit of the career Grand Slam is about joining an elite fraternity that defines golf's immortals. One more week of dominance at Pinehurst could cement his legacy alongside Nicklaus and Woods—or leave him on the cusp of history, waiting for the next chance. The outcome will determine whether golf’s future is written in the measured strokes of a champion or the chaotic brilliance of an upstart. ## Frequently asked ### Who has completed the career Grand Slam in men's golf? Only five players have won all four majors in their careers: Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Tiger Woods. ### What majors has Scottie Scheffler already won? Scheffler has won the Masters (2022), PGA Championship (2024), and The Open Championship (2024). The U.S. Open is the only major missing from his resume. ### Where is the 2024 U.S. Open being played? The 2024 U.S. Open is being played at Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina, specifically on the No. 2 Course. ### Who could challenge Scheffler in the final round? Xander Schauffele and Brooks Koepka are among the players in contention, each with multiple major wins and the experience to mount a challenge. ### What does a career Grand Slam mean for Scheffler’s legacy? Completing the career Grand Slam would place Scheffler in an exclusive club with golf’s greatest champions, instantly elevating his status to all-time great. ## Sources & Citations - [Scottie Scheffler in final group of U.S. Open in pursuit of career Grand Slam](https://www.newsbreak.com/news/4723028715741-scottie-scheffler-in-final-group-of-u-s-open-in-pursuit-of-career-grand-slam) — NewsData.io (2026-06-21) --- Cite: Scheffler one win from golf’s most exclusive club at Pinehurst. Sportopod, 2026-07-01. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/scottie-scheffler-in-final-group-of-u-s-open-in-pursuit-of-41f2d4a2