WGT Golf News

It's U.S. Open Week and play is underway at Pinehurst No. 2, so we're previewing the final holes of the famed course and host of the 2014 U.S. Open Championships.

The fairway on the finishing hole at Pinehurst No. 2 is much narrower than it appears from the tee box. Players should avoid the deep fairway bunker that runs down the right side of the fairway and another tricky bunker that sits to the short, right side of the green. After missing his tee shot in the right rough, Payne Stewart saved par on this closing hole to win the 1999 U.S. Open.

Play the 18th at Pinehurst No. 2 free without sign-up on WGT. 

If you haven't played WGT yet, join millions of other virtual golfers playing free online at wgt.com.

New this year, play this special week-long stroke play tournament on Pinehurst No. 2 while you watch all the U.S. Open action unfold at the real course.

The U.S. Open Week Event on WGT is free to enter, with two $500 USGAshop.com gift card prizes up for grabs. Both the top combined leaderboard score and one other lucky player chosen at random will each win a gift card.

Post your best Round 1 stroke play score by Friday 6/13, then your best Round 2 stroke play score from Saturday 6/14 to Sunday 6/15.

Play Special Tournament

*Special tournament is free to enter and open to WGT players in all countries. Round 1 runs thru Fri 6/13, Round 2 runs Sat 6/14 - Sun 6/15. See rules for eligibility.

It's U.S. Open Week, so we're previewing the final holes of the famed Pinehurst No. 2, host of the 2014 U.S. Open Championships.

This picturesque hole helped Payne Stewart secure his victory in the 1999 U.S. Open when he stuck his tee shot within several feet of the hole and drained his birdie putt. Proper club selection is essential in scoring well on this iconic par-3, as the green is guarded by several bunkers. Players should take enough club to avoid the fall-off in the front of this large green, and if played well this hole offers a good chance for birdie.

Play the 17th at Pinehurst No. 2 free without sign-up on WGT. 

If you haven't played WGT yet, join millions of other virtual golfers playing free online at wgt.com.

Now play closest-to-the-hole WGT Brackets for a faster challenge.

Choose to play any of the following Bracket formats, to experience the popular new way to compete against other WGT players:

• Stroke Play or Closest-to-the-Hole (9 fast shots)
• Daily Rounds or faster Speed Rounds (15-30 minutes)
• Free or Entry Fee (top 4 win credits)

See Brackets

Note, Brackets are currently available on WGT on the web, not on mobile yet.

As you watch the pros take on the challenging Pinehurst No. 2 golf course this week in the U.S. Open Championship, be sure to visit WGT to experience Pinehurst for yourself.

There are a number of ways for you to play every drive, chip and putt that the best players in the world will face this week, free on WGT...

U.S. Open Week Event

NEW this year, play this special week-long tournament on Pinehurst No. 2 for your chance to win a $500 USGAshop.com prize.

Post your best Round 1 stroke play score by Friday 6/13, and then your best Round 2 stroke play score from Sat 6/14 thru Sun 6/15. Both the best combined score and a lucky sweepstakes winner each get $500 USGAshop.com gift cards.

Play U.S. Open Week Event

Virtual U.S. Open

This Qualifier tournament is the main event of the 2014 Virtual U.S. Open tournament, with a chance to win a dream grand prize trip to the 2015 U.S. Open at Chambers Bay.

It features all 18 holes of stroke play on Pinehurst No. 2, including all the challenges you'll see play out in real life throughout the week.

When you enter to play free, you get a USGA avatar, a Lexus virtual golf ball and Lexus Putter Pal to help you improve your putting in the game.

Play Virtual U.S. Open Qualifier

The popular new WGT Brackets are now available in your Country Club.

Any member of your Country Club can now create a stroke play Bracket tournament within your club, just like any other stroke play tournament.

See who's really the best player in head-to-head match-ups!

Visit Your Country Club

Haven't joined a Country Club yet? Country Clubs are a great way to make new WGT friends and always have a group to play and compete with. It's easy to find one looking for new members, or create your own!

We're less than a week away from the start of the 2014 U.S. Open Championships at Pinehurst No. 2, so we're previewing the final holes of this famed course.

A well-positioned tee shot is key in scoring well on this tricky dogleg-left par-4. The hidden bunker on the left side of the fairway should be avoided when picking a landing spot for tee shots. Most approach shots to the green will feature a slight downhill lie. The front portion of the 16th green includes a pronounced back-to-front slope and putts toward a front pin placement will require a skillful touch.

Play the 16th at Pinehurst No. 2 free without sign-up on WGT. 

If you haven't played WGT yet, join millions of other virtual golfers playing free online at wgt.com.

We're less than a week away from the start of the 2014 U.S. Open Championships at Pinehurst No. 2, so we're previewing the final holes of this famed course.

This is a long and difficult par-3 for players of all skill levels. The 15th requires a well-placed tee shot to this small, crowned green bordered by a bunker on the right side. Keeping your tee shot on the green here is an achievement as most golf balls landing on the front portion of the green will make their way into a collection area. A score of 3 or better is a success on this hole.

Play the 15th at Pinehurst No. 2 free without sign-up on WGT. 

If you haven't played WGT yet, join millions of other virtual golfers playing free online at wgt.com.

Play Pinehurst No. 2 in the 2014 Virtual U.S. Open for your chance to win a grand prize trip to next year's U.S. Open at Chambers Bay.

Both the top leaderboard score and one other lucky player chosen at random will each win a grand prize trip to attend next year's U.S. Open as special guests of the USGA, AND a $500 USGAshop.com gift card.

Additionally, everyone who enters the Qualifier tournament gets a free USGA avatar, a free Lexus virtual golf ball and a free Lexus Putter Pal.

Play Virtual U.S. Open Qualifier

As part of the 2014 Virtual U.S. Open, players automatically receive a free USGA Avatar Male 3, but all six male and female avatars are available free in the Pro Shop during the Virtual U.S. Open for players to choose and equip.

Famed Pinehurst No. 2 was rolled out as part of the 2014 Virtual U.S. Open, that runs thru 6/30/14 on WGT. It's free to enter and is open to WGT players in all countries. The real USGA Championship events are in June, including both the U.S. Open and the U.S. Women's Open Championship, the first time both events will be played on the same course in back-to-back weeks.

The next stop on the WGT Virtual Tour is the Criquet Cup, played on the Best of Par 3 course.

Compete on some of the best par-3 holes in the game on this special mash-up course for your share of the 200,000 WGT Credit total purse. Be sure to post your best Round 1 score by 6/25 to qualify for Round 2, plus you get a free Criquet virtual vapor ball when you enter.

Play Virtual Tour

Remember to play the Virtual Tour every month and accumulate credits all season long, to qualify for the Virtual Tour Championship in December and play for a record ONE MILLION CREDIT PURSE, split among the Top 64 season qualifiers in the Pro thru Tour Legend tiers.

 Golf Channel is also covering the WGT Virtual Tour all year, including online scores, virtual leaderboards, updates and even interviews with WGT players, just like the professional tours! See Golf Channel Coverage.