Scottie Scheffler: Career Grand Slam Not A Motivation Ahead Of The US Open

Scottie Scheffler plays the 126th U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills with history in reach, yet insists the career Grand Slam is not a personal target. Rory McIlroy also arrives with major milestones, marking 15 years since winning the U.S. Open and making a 70th start in a major championship.

A victory for Scheffler this week would place the world number one alongside Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy as golfers who have completed the career Grand Slam. Scheffler enters the championship as a four-time major winner with proven recent form at this event.

The American has collected The Masters titles in 2022 and 2024, and secured both the PGA Championship and The Open Championship in 2025. At the U.S. Open, Scheffler has finished inside the top 10 in four of the last five editions, including a runner-up result in 2022, which remains a best finish.

This tournament offers Scheffler a first chance to complete the Grand Slam, yet Scheffler is keen to lower outside noise. "Would it be a dream to win the U.S. Open? Of course, but at the end of the day, the Grand Slam has never been a motivating factor for me," Scheffler said in his pre-tournament press conference.

Scheffler stressed a focus on self-improvement over records. "I always just wanted to be the best version of myself, and that got me this far. When it comes to this golf tournament, I'm going to step on the first tee and remind myself I've done everything I possibly could to play well."

The approach for Scheffler is centred on process, not outcome. "Now it's just a matter of going out there and trying to execute and going back to enjoying the competition, versus feeling like you have to win for some reason. If I finish second this week, it's almost like, 'Hey, you failed in your first chance to win the career Grand Slam'."

Scheffler then questioned that outside view. "Is finishing second a failure? If I win this tournament, that would be amazing, but then I show up the next week, and it's like, 'OK, now Scottie's won the Grand Slam, he's won all these golf tournaments. Now, where do we go from here?'"

McIlroy returns to the U.S. Open 15 years after a first major title at this championship and now reaches a 70th appearance in major tournaments. Recent results show a strong record, with six top-10 finishes across the last seven U.S. Open starts, although McIlroy missed the cut at Shinnecock Hills in 2018.

The four-time major winner believes a measured plan is needed at this edition of Shinnecock Hills. "If you can get your ball to the middle of the greens here and just putt to the corners wherever the flags are going to be, that's never going to be a bad strategy," McIlroy told the media while outlining preparation.

McIlroy explained that this approach has shaped recent U.S. Open performances. "That's the strategy that I've employed at the US Open over the past few years, and that's served me well. It hasn't gotten me the trophy, but it's gotten me pretty close a few years." McIlroy said patience has improved results in demanding conditions.

"I definitely feel like I've become a lot better of a U.S. Open player by trying to really stay patient throughout the week and not taking on too much." McIlroy aims to rely on discipline rather than aggression as Shinnecock Hills is expected to punish missed targets, especially around firm greens and tight landing areas.

U.S. Open tee times, Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy groups

The 126th U.S. Open opening rounds feature Scheffler and McIlroy in high-profile groups. Notable tee times for the first two rounds include McIlroy alongside Ludvig berg and Tommy Fleetwood, while Scheffler plays with J.J. Spaun and Mason Howell. Brooks Koepka, Cameron Young and Chris Gotterup form another key trio.

Justin Rose, Jordan Spieth and Jon Rahm are also grouped together, adding further interest to the early draw at Shinnecock Hills. The pairings place several recent major champions on course at similar times, offering an early indication of form as players contend with the traditional U.S. Open test of accuracy and mental resilience.

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Scheffler and McIlroy arrive at Shinnecock Hills with contrasting focuses, yet both carry strong recent U.S. Open records. Scheffler plays for a place in history but stresses process, while McIlroy leans on patience and a conservative plan, believing that steady play across four rounds will again keep McIlroy near the trophy.