The final round of the 2024 US Open was a nail-biting thriller. Rory McIlroy’s duel with Bryson DeChambeau offered one of the most compelling storylines of this year. It triumphed over the last iteration at the LACC as well. But what about the US Open itself? Is it the most venerated major of the 21st century? 

A hundred years ago, that question would’ve yielded a possible (and even thumping) ‘yes’. But that moniker probably belongs to the Masters now. Upon hearing a suggestion that the US Open might come in third after the Open Championship, USGA CEO Mike Whan quipped, “If that’s true, that bums me out.” 

Multiple factors are behind establishing the status that The Masters now enjoy. Augusta National itself is a mystifying entity in itself (How many members are there again?). Then the charm of taking off at the same course every year is hard to elude. The Green Jacket, the unwavering loyalty to tradition, the strict rules, etc. add to that enigmatic charm. That it is the first major also helps, of course. It is an invitational too that brings only the crème de la crème.

The US Open doesn’t function like that. And the USGA CEO doesn’t have any intention of changing its ethos. Mike Whan told Golf Digest, “We must have a philosophy of how we’re going to run a championship and be unwavering. We’ve made the mistake at times of listening to too many points of view. What I’ve said to our team is, let’s build the strategy we believe in and commit, no matter where we are or what the score is.”

So, Whan is open to listening. But the right to implement any changes that he wants to keep with his team. The USGA Chief stands by the driving range during the last two rounds. Who would love to do that on all four days? Of course, time permitting. Regardless of the suggestions he receives, though, one factor that’s guaranteed is Mike Whan won’t make the US Open lose its identity. 

US Open won’t ‘chase’ other majors

The centerpiece of the US Open is the course. The national major will not travel to a course that doesn’t unleash its fangs. Be it Pinehurst or Lancaster Country Club, Whan’s words assure that the US Open will always be a challenge. Neither will it impose any strict rules as the Masters does.

“We shouldn’t chase the experience of other majors. You can use your phone at the U.S. Open, and we have an app we want you to use to make your experience better, whether that’s finding your favorite player or figuring out where to eat or park,” Whan added in the same interview. 

It has backfired at times (remember 1974 at Winged Foot? 2004 at Shinnecock Hills? Or even 2015 at Chambers Bay? Nevertheless, the US Open still remains the most prized asset for the organization and broadcasters. The final round of this year’s iteration drew 5.9 million eyeballs on Peacock. The viewership numbers peaked at 11.5M at one point. So Mike Whan surely has reasons for not making any drastic changes, even though he is a bit ‘bummed out’.