New Delhi, June 15 -- SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. - Scottie Scheffler sat at the Memorial Tournament two weeks ago and described carding an even-par 72 on a difficult day as a round that felt, while it was happening, like it might end somewhere around 90. He hit a shank out of a bunker, something he called as bad as he had struck the ball in two years. Then he signed his card, told reporters he felt "pretty comfortable" with where his game was, and started thinking about Shinnecock Hills.

That gap between reality and perception is either the most reassuring thing in golf or the most dangerous one. On Thursday at the 126th U.S. Open, the answer begins.

Scheffler arrives at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club as the betting favorite, at roughly +550, to com...