Christiaan Bezuidenhout of South Africa walks the first hole during a practice round prior to the U.S. Open at Pinehurst Resort on June 10, 2024 in Pinehurst, North Carolina Christiaan Bezuidenhout of South Africa walks the first hole during a practice round prior to the U.S. Open at Pinehurst Resort on June 10, 2024 in Pinehurst, North Carolina. Photo: Andrew Redington/Getty Images/AFP
While Scottie Scheffler will be expected to dominate once again, four South Africans may just have other ideas at the US Open at Pinehurst in North Carolina, USA, starting on Thursday.
It’s a long shot indeed, but in Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Dean Burmester, Erik van Rooyen and Casey Jarvis there could be a shock contender this week.
Bezuidenhout is the top-ranked South African in the world rankings at number 40, and is coming off a particularly good week at The Memorial. Bezuidenhout finished fourth on three-under, one shot off third place as Scheffler claimed a one-stroke victory on eight-under.
Having turned 30 last month, Bezuidenhout is in his prime and after a couple years on the US PGA TOUR, he could be ready to make the breakthrough on the premier golf circuit on the globe.
Golf is especially hard at Muirfield.
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 10, 2024
The 2024 @MemorialGolf ranked as the second-toughest tournament behind only the Masters. pic.twitter.com/U0VkPQoKM2
A PGA TOUR win would also go well with his three European Tour (DPWT) victories and four Sunshine Tour triumphs.
As for Dean Burmester, the player won’t feel the pressure of trying to cash in at the high prize-money event. Burmester plays on the LIV Golf Tour, and in one event in Miami in April banked R77.1 million alone. The 35-year-old also comes off a 12th place finish at the PGA Championship last month, and will be confident about delivering another top showing.
Van Rooyen, meanwhile, could be shaping up for a good week. With over a hundred events played on the PGA TOUR, he can be considered a seasoned campaigner to go with his two wins. He also made the weekend at the PGA Championship, before settling in a tie for 53rd. The 34-year-old also improved to a tie for 42nd at the Canadian Open two weeks ago.
In contrast, Jarvis at 20 will be making his PGA TOUR and major debut.
The young prodigy had a stellar amateur career in South Africa as he won the SA Stroke Play and SA Amateur Championship at the age of 16. Having not been a professional for two years yet, Jarvis may be excused for soaking in the experience — but that might not prevent him from showing US audiences glimpses of his prodigious talent this week.