Golf’s Grand Slam calendar entered its halfway point after the PGA Championship concluded in May, and plenty of action is yet to unfold with further headlines set to be written.
World number one Scottie Scheffler captured the first major of the year in the Masters and another American, Xander Schauffele was the champion in the most recent Grand Slam event.
Many potential narratives could present themselves over the summer with two prizes still to be claimed. The US Open and the Open Championship could conclude with themes of dominance or a long-awaited victory for a top player on a winless drought.
Scheffler could show the grand stage is no obstacle to his dominance
Scheffler will be aiming to secure a multiple-title haul for the first time in his career this year. The American’s Masters win was only his second-ever major victory and he now has the chance to finally express his long-term dominance on the greatest stage.
In the final United States major of the year, he is a comfortable favorite to make it a two-title year before crossing the Atlantic Ocean in July. US Open betting offers Scheffler as a +400 outright leader in the pre-competition markets, and he is also the frontrunner in golf betting on the subsequent Open Championship at +500.
It is foreseeable that Scheffler could truly embark on a summer of dominance in securing both of the remaining major titles. That potentially remarkable feat alongside his earlier Masters win would write his 2024 into history as one of the greatest individual Grand Slam seasons on record.
Winning just one of the titles would also represent a huge success for Scheffler though. Holding two of the four available Grand Slam honors would likely still create a narrative that he has dominated across the major schedule.
The man who is predicted to provide the strongest opposition to his potential domination will also be motivated by the prospect of creating history as well as headlines in the immediate aftermath.
McIlroy could prove he is still a winner
Rory McIlroy has not won a major competition in a decade yet he is seen as the man most likely to claim either the US Open or the Open Championship if Scheffler falls short.
The Northern Irishman is offered at +1000 in the markets for each of the competitions set to take place in June and July. He will be desperate to win one of the events purely to put an end to his unwanted streak which would otherwise extend to 11 years in 2025.
It is important for McIlroy’s golfing legacy that he wins another major and that he does it sooner rather than later. However, a win could also drastically change his present image in the game, he could prove that he still has what it takes to succeed on the highest pressure stage.
McIlroy could ultimately shift the focus from him being a long-term nearlyman to being a five-time major champion and counting.
Either of these scenarios could pan out this summer and both even could if they each win one of the two Grand Slam events yet to take place. Themes of Scheffler dominance or a McIlroy resurgence could be set to shape the golfing narratives that emerge over the summer.