adelaide photography tours

Adelaide Photography Tours

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Adelaide Photography Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Adelaide Photography Tours

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Photography Adventures

Embrace an extraordinary experience and capture art in some of the most epic locations on earth.

Adventure Art Photography offers anyone with a camera the opportunity to embrace an extraordinary experience and capture art in some of the most epic locations on earth.

Bucket List  Photography Adventures

See Our Destinations

3rd-7th of June 2024 / 5th -9th of August 2024

18th - 22th of August 2025

Flinders Ranges Photography Adventure

South Australia

Embark on an unforgettable photographic journey to the heart of South Australia. Enjoy a blend of stunning landscapes, astrophotography and wildlife - Experience the raw beauty of golden hour in the outback and capture the last rays of light as it paints the sky and rugged ranges red.

14th - 22nd of September 2025

New Zealand Photography Adventure

The Oceanian sub-region "Australasia"

Immerse yourself in the untouched beauty of New Zealand's South Island as dawn breaks over Mount Cook, bathing it in the first light of the day. Exhilarate your senses with a flight and cruise through the grandeur of Milford Sound; a panorama so stunning it will quite literally steal your breath away.

17th - 21st of March 2025

Kangaroo Island Photography Adventure

South Australian coast

Embark on a photography tour like no other as we unveil the hidden secrets of Kangaroo Island. Immerse yourself in the untouched beauty of Kangaroo Island and capture the fiery elegance of a vibrant sunset on the rugged cliffs of Remarkable Rocks.

21st - 27th of July 2025

Kakadu & Top End Photography Adventure

Northern Territory of Australia

Discover the wonder of the Northern Territory’s Waterfalls, Landscapes, and Wildlife. On this incredible tour, you’ll get to explore the breathtaking beauty of the Northern Territory’s most iconic national parks - Kakadu, Litchfield, and Katherine Gorge, as well as so much more.

28th of April - 3th of May 2025

Tasmania Photography Adventure

South-east of mainland Australia.

Embark on an Unforgettable Tasmanian Photography Adventure. From the rugged peaks of Cradle Mountain to the stunning wild coastlines of Stanley, we'll explore the diverse terrain of this captivating destination. Led by the enthusiastic guides, you’ll be taken through iconic spots and hidden treasures, exploring the scenic locations in absolute luxury.

September 26th-29th 2024

Adventure Photography Masterclass Retreat

Fleurieu Peninsula South Australia

See your photography as an adventure and master your photography skills in the wild.   

Landscapes - Astro - Wildlife

With a blend of practical fieldwork, workshops, and mentoring, all specially designed to unlock the full potential of your unique photography goals.

Check out this epic coastal retreat location. 

Photography  Adventure Calendar

Photography   Adventures In 2024

18th - 22nd of March 2024

29th of April - 4th of May 2024

3rd - 7th of June 2024

22nd - 28th of July 2024

5th - 9th of August 2024

Limited spaces remaining 

1st - 9th of September 2024

26th-29th of September 2024

Kings Beach Photography Master Class Retreat  

Photography   Adventures In 2025

3rd - 7th of June 2025

Kimberly's Photography Adventure

We Have Got You Covered

Our expert team has extensive experience with the following brands.

Our expert  team have extensive experience with the following brands.

Testimonials

What Our   Adventurers Say

Can I rate this trip 20 stars out of 10?! It was totally the trip of a lifetime and I made 9 beautiful new friends. Our adventure was meticulously planned and the atmosphere was very friendly and inclusive. "John and Adam were great as tutors and the catering was magnificent. "I have already booked my next tour. Thanks for everything, Adventure Art Photography.

Adventurer 

I'm looking through my pictures with tears in my eyes. How can one critique a photography adventure which results in the best shots that you have ever taken?

The circle of friendship and support, plus the excellent teaching and opportunities provided by John and Craig made this an unforgettable experience.

I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking to go on a adventure in photography. I learned a lot about the camera and how to use it at different locations.  You also meet great people who have the same passion as you!

John was a friendly, knowledgeable and enthusiastic teacher. We really enjoyed our trek around the Adelaide Hills to some lovely locations. I really improved my understanding of my camera with some fantastic tips!

“Wonderful holiday; they get better and better; wonderful, knowledgeable teachers; Travel to amazing places in a caring environment; I would highly recommend.”

This was my first ever photography course road trip and was a birthday present. John and Katie were such wonderful hosts and really go above and beyond to give each individual beautiful life-long memories. Their enthusiasm is contagious and any early nerves were soon replaced by joy and excitement. Meeting new friends and being part of their lives, even for a short time, was so rewarding. I can highly recommend Adventure Art Photography, and I will be returning very soon for another truly beautiful experience.

A big thank you to John and Katie for providing me with such life-long happy memories and thank you for new friends, and I’m super excited about my next adventure with you. Best trip ever!

The Adventure Art  Difference

Elevate your adventure, Your goals are our goals.

Experts that Care

Yes, our adventures are led by a team of highly experienced photography experts, but more importantly, we’re down-to-earth people with a genuine passion for photography and helping others. In all that we do, we are respectful, honest and supportive. 

Adventure-Well

We encourage curiosity, exploration, and bold pursuit of photography goals, At the same time, we emphasise careful planning so that our guests of differing fitness and ability levels can safely enjoy these life changing adventures.

Community instead of Competition

Arrogance has no place on our tours instead we create an environment of mutual respect and learning. Every member’s knowledge and life experience is valued, from a beginner through to an experienced photographer, promoting camaraderie rather than rivalry.

All-Inclusive Adventures

Our "All Inclusive Photography Adventure" lets you immerse yourself fully in your artistry. We take care of all the logistical details, so you can just show up and focus on your art , making your photography experience seamless and worry-free. How does that sound to you?

Unbeatable Photography Expeditions

We're committed to providing you with an unbeatable photography experience by paying attention to all the tiny details. Our adventures are designed to offer an experience like none other. From the point of inquiry to the day we say goodbye, we are committed to providing our guests with nothing short of a life-changing adventure.

Join The   Adventurer's Newsletter

Adventure Art At A  Glance

Who We Are:

Our adventures are designed to be life-changing experiences, offering practical support in the field – regardless of skill level. Arrogance has no place on our adventures, as we foster an inclusive environment where everyone, from a true beginner to an experienced photographer feels welcome and supported.

Our guides are experienced photographers that care and are passionate about sharing their knowledge with you our guests. They provide feedback on techniques used and extensive knowledge of the best locations to visit.

We create an unforgettable experience, from inquiry to farewell. Our exceptional service ensures personal attention to every detail, and we celebrate your achievements at the end of our tours with a feast and a slideshow of guests' favorite images, creating an amazing experience and friendships for a lifetime.

Join Adventure Art Photography for an exhilarating adventure and to capture extraordinary photographs while building memories that last a lifetime.

Founder | Adventure Guide

Craig Hindman

Adventure Guide

Renee LeCornu

Customer Experience 

Adam Stevens

Frequently Asked   Questions

What’s included in Adventure prices?

EVERYTHING!

Well almost! Just get yourself to our meeting point and we'll take care of the rest. Our workshops are all-inclusive. We handle all your accommodation, gourmet meals, drinks, and expert tuition. All you need to do is sit back and enjoy your photographic adventure! That's what our participants like most about our Adventures. They book the Adventure and we handle the rest.

What fitness level is required?

A good level of fitness is always best to ensure you can participate fully in the workshop and have a fantastic time. If you're unsure, just give us a call and we can discuss it.

We cater for the majority of people who don't want to walk too far or do anything too stressful!

What camera do I need?

A mirrorless camera or digital SLR is ideal. An iPhone, whilst it takes great photos, won't give you flexibility to capture the photos you see here on this website. You don't need to spend thousands on expensive gear to join the adventure we help you get epic photos with the gear you have.

Do I need travel insurance?

Yes. Travel Insurance is compulsory for multi-day tours. This prevents you from financial loss in the case of falling unwell or the like... 

What is the difference between a Private room and shared room?

Our private room option  is for those who would like a room to themselves during the adventure.

Our shared room option  is also called "Twin share" and is for 2 people sharing the same room (separate beds).

You can either request to room with someone you know or simply book in yourself and we can match you with another suitable twin sharer of the same sex. Any questions, call John on 0427004276

Couples:  Please let us know if you're a couple and we can arrange a king or queen bed also.

Adventure Payment Details

To secure your place, simply pay a deposit and then we’ll be in touch to customise a payment plan for your needs.

What’s not included?

Not much! Once you arrive on location we joke that you could literally loose your wallet and it wouldn't matter! Expenses outside the workshop fee is generally your personal purchases like souvenirs…

How experienced do I need to be?

None at all, to be honest. The reason you come on a adventure like this is to learn and grow as a photographer, so we'd expect you not to know everything! However, some knowledge of photography is a bonus.

What other equipment should I bring?

Tripod, laptop, clothes and toiletries. You don't need much. A full gear list is included in all itineraries. You can down load this via each workshop page.

We also email more details later to ensure you are as prepared as possible.

What type of accommodation do we stay in?

We always look for the best possible locations for our accommodation and, if possible, book 4-5 star accommodation with great food and coffee (and an extensive wine list! Joking!!).

That said, in some remote locations there's not as many choices. That said, if you have ever toured with us, you know that the accommodation is always amazing.

The accommodation details for each tour can be found by downloading the PDF on each adventure page.

How many guides are on each tour?

Our tours operate with 2 guides to maximise the support and experience we can offer you. This is rare but makes all the difference to your experience. 

Find Out More Today 

Book your obligation free adventure call with John and get all your questions answered today!

Do you want to know the secret to becoming a great photographer?

It's so simple that you could easily miss it and here is the thing anyone can do it.

"Click for sound"

Ready For The Adventure Of A   Lifetime?

John, the owner of Adventure Art , is here to personally guide you through all the exciting details of  our photography adventures.

Schedule your obligation free Adventure Call today , and let's start planning your unforgettable experience.

Still Got Questions?  Contact us below. 

And our team will be in touch very shortly.  

+61427004276

© Copyright Adventure Art Photography Tours 2023. All Rights Reserved.

Adventure Art Photography

Ready to Capture the Extraordinary?

Immerse yourself in a community of nature lovers and photography enthusiasts. Your journey begins here. Just give us an email we can send it to!

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Adelaide Photography Tours

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Adelaide Photography Tours - All You MUST Know Before You Go (2024)

Top Adelaide Photography Locations

Top adelaide photography locations – updated 2023.

Discover the top places to take photos in Adelaide. Across the city, Adelaide has some incredibly scenic landscapes & cityscapes. Here are the most beautiful Adelaide photography locations.

The Green Adventurers acknowledge and pay respect to the Kaurna people as the custodians of the lands and waters of the Adelaide region. We pay respect to elders both past, present and future Traditional Custodians and Elders of this nation and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We acknowledge and respect the Kaurna people’s cultural, spiritual, physical and emotional connection with their land, waters and community.

Sugarloaf Boardwalk

Hallet Cove is one of my favourite spots to visit in Adelaide. This area is very significant for Geology and shows a history of 280 million years from when this area was covered in ice. There are informative signs around the reserve so you can learn about the history and geology of the area as you explore. 

The Geological formations, boardwalk and surrounding coastline make for great photos. 

Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens

My favourite time to visit the Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens is in Autumn. The colours of the leaves are spectacular. 

There is plenty to see year-round, with a huge array of plants from around the world. One of my favourite areas is Fern Gully which is lush and green and makes me feel like I’m in Jurassic Park. 

The lake is a great place to see some Australian wetland birds. There are plenty of ducks, coots, water hens and black swans. Try a telephoto lens to catch all the details of your subject without needing to get too close to the wildlife. 

Mount Osmond

The Mount Osmond lookout is the best place in Adelaide to catch the sunset. The location looks over the city of Adelaide with views extending out to the coastline. There is a small parking area at the top of Hayward Drive which can fill up around sunset so make sure you arrive early. The lookout is an easy walk from a parking spot where you can enjoy magnificent views of the suburbs below. It gets very windy up here which can make photoshoots a bit tricky so aim for a still day if you are shooting portraits.

Rundle Mall

There is no shortage of great photography spots in the heart of Adelaide. Rundle Mall is home to the iconic Malls Balls which create awesome reflections that make for a striking photo. 

Adelaide Arcade , built-in 1885, is great for lovers of architecture and symmetry. You can take a self-guided audiovisual tour on your phone to learn about the history of this incredible building.

The Rundle Lantern on the corner of Rundle Mall & Pulteney street is a huge light display made of 748 panels that are programmed to show an array of colours which make up some eye-catching & vibrant patterns. Continue into Rundle Street for a great place to experiment with street photography.

At the opposite end of the mall on King William Street, you will find the Haigh’s Chocolate outlet in the historic Beehive Corner building. Try a wide-angle lens to capture architecture around the city. 

River Torrens

The Adelaide CBD is surrounded on all sides by beautiful parklands. The Torrens River winds its way past the city and offers spectacular views of the city. It is a great spot to visit at night and capture the reflections of the city lights on the water. 

Want to see more of South Australia? See the SA Travel Guide Here

Morialta Conservation Park

Nature enthusiasts will love a visit to the Morialta Conservation Park. This is the perfect place to spot Australian wildlife. From birds, reptiles, insects, kangaroos and koalas you are sure to see a few of the local residents in their natural habitat. 

Spring brings the bloom of beautiful wildflowers but anytime of the year is great to appreciate the views of the city, rock formations and waterfalls. There are many options of hikes to take. From a leisurely stroll in the shady gully to a 3.5 hour hike around the park you will find something to suit your fitness level. 

Adelaide Hills

The Adelaide Hills are filled with charming villages.  My favourites are Stirling & Hanhdorf a historic German village. There are countless winding roads through the Hills so it’s the perfect place to explore by car. You can visit farms and wineries along the way and enjoy the rolling hills and spectacular views.

For panoramic views of the city check out the Mount Lofty lookout. It can be reached by road or you can hike to the summit from Waterfall Gully.

Jacaranda Trees

November is a colourful time in Adelaide when the Jacaranda trees begin to bloom. The purple flowers are a magnificent site and photo opportunity. Check out the full guide here to find out the best streets to visit.

Port Willunga 

Port Willunga on the Fleurieu Peninsula is home to the ruins of an old jetty which is now nothing more than a few remnants of wood poking out of the water. They make an awesome focal point for beach photography. This is a great place to try some long exposure shots. An ND filter can help you get the effect of a slow shutter in full daylight.

Also in the area is McLaren Vale home to some of South Australia’s best wines.

Port Noarlunga

The Onkaparinga River Mouth at Port Noarlunga is an absolutely spectacular spot and one of my favourites along the South Australian coast. The crashing waves, colourful rocks and angular lines of the boardwalk make for a fantastic place to relax, unwind and take great photos.

A short walk away is the Port Noarlunga jetty which leads out to the reef, a hotspot in summer for snorkelling. The reef is home to over 200 species of marine plants and animals and more than 50 species of fish. If you have a waterproof setup this would be a fantastic place to explore under the waves. If not the jetty and beach is photogenic from dry land too!

Deep Creek Conservation Park is one and a half hours out of the Adelaide City Centre but it well worth the drive. The Park covers 18km of pristine coastline and includes Blowhole Beach a gorgeous sandy beach surrounded by jagged rocks and rolling green hills.

I have never seen as many Kangaroos in one place as I have at Deep Creek. There are also over 100 species of bird so keep your eyes peeled!

Deep Creek has 15 different walking trails with various lengths and difficulty levels. There are excellent camping facilities so consider staying a night or two and fully exploring this incredible landscape.

The entry fee to visit the park costs $11 per car and can be booked here: https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/find-a-park/Browse_by_region/Fleurieu_Peninsula/deep-creek-conservation-park/booking/vehicle-entry-fees

North Terrace

North Terrace is also home to some of Adelaide’s best architecture and is one of the best Adelaide photography locations. There are many striking buildings such as the new Sahmri & AHMS buildings in the West End.

For some more historical buildings, the University of Adelaide Precinct is home to the Art Gallery , The State Library & the Museum .

On the eastern end of North Terrace, you will find the entrance to the Botanic Garden which features an array of plants which makes it a perfect spot to try out some macro photography. 

Mt Barker Train Line

The train line between Mt Barker and Little Hampton in the Adelaide Hills is a great place to explore. The tunnel under the freeway is a great place to experiment with light and shade and silhouettes. To reach this place head to Cameron Road in Mt Barker and once you reach the train line follow the tracks towards Little Hampton. These tracks are no longer in use by the national rail system but are used by a Herigate SteamRanger on occasion to please take due take on the tracks.

Cactus Canyon

One of the most impressive parts of South Australia’s coastline is found south of Adelaide on the Fleurieu Peninsula . Cactus Canyon features steep cliffs in impressive formations that drop to white sand beaches and turquoise waves. This is one not to be missed!

Autumn Leaves

The most colourful time of year in Adelaide is autumn when the trees turn every shade imaginable of yellow, orange and red. Autumn in Adelaide is in March, April & May but it really takes until early April for the colours to really start to show.

This guide will take you through all the best places in and around Adelaide to see the autumn colours.

Thank you for checking out the list of my favourite places around Adelaide. I will continue to update as I explore more places. Please get in touch if you have ideas for other places to include.

Adelaide Photography Tours

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ADELAIDE PHOTOGRAPHY TOURS - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Travel Photography Courses

City Tours in Adelaide

Experience Adelaide like never before with city tours and city tour packages. As you explore Adelaide’s famous landmarks, hidden gems, and local hotspots, you’ll uncover the stories that bring the city to life.

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U.S. Open analysis: What to know as the world’s best invade Pinehurst

The third men’s major championship of the year sees the U.S. Open return to a Donald Ross North Carolina masterpiece, Pinehurst No. 2.

Brutal wiregrass awaits those who miss wildly with driver. Lightning-fast, crown-shaped putting surfaces make for a uniquely torturous test. The native areas at No. 2 have visibly matured in the decade since the world’s best convened here for back-to-back weeks at the 2014 U.S. Open and Women’s Open. Maybe the only star guaranteed to outshine Scottie Scheffler this week is the golf course.

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Here are the top numbers and notes to know ahead of the 1,000th USGA championship ever played – the 2024 United States Open.

1. This is the fourth U.S. Open contested at Pinehurst No. 2, and the second since an extensive restoration by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw took place early last decade. In 2014, Martin Kaymer spent the first two rounds in a full sprint ahead of the field, setting the Open’s 36-hole record for scoring (130) and tying the largest ever second-round lead (6 shots). While Kaymer won by eight, 10 players finished the week between 1-under and 2-over, including Rickie Fowler (T2), Brooks Koepka (T4), Dustin Johnson (T4), Jason Day (T4), Henrik Stenson (T4) and Adam Scott (T9).

While fairways are accessible (the field hit them 70 percent of the time in ’14), the penalty for an errant drive at Pinehurst is immense. Players who hit the fairway off the tee in the 2014 U.S. Open then found the green in regulation 66 percent of the time. Following a missed fairway, that number plummeted to below 38 percent. Each of the three previous U.S. Open winners here ranked in the top 10 in the field that week in percentage of fairways hit.

In each of the previous three Opens held at Pinehurst No. 2, the field scrambled at a rate of less than 50 percent. Play around the greens is almost always more significant amidst a comprehensive exam like the U.S. Open. Complete strokes gained data is available for this championship going back to 2017. In that span, players who have finished in the top five have gained 19.5 percent of their total strokes with shots around the greens. In all other PGA Tour events in that span, that number is just 12.6 percent.

Putting these ‘upside-down cereal bowl greens’ is no picnic, either. By the traditional metric of putts per green in regulation, Pinehurst was either the most difficult or second-most-difficult course to putt in each of the 1999, 2005 and 2014 PGA Tour seasons. Ten years ago, the field successfully converted their birdie opportunities just 20.6 percent of the time, a steep decline from the season average (28.5 percent).

2. Another week, another Scottie Scheffler superlative.

Scheffler’s victory at the Memorial Tournament last week was his fifth of the 2024 season, the fastest any player has reached five PGA Tour wins in a calendar year since Tom Watson in 1980. Scheffler is just the second player since 1950 to enter a U.S. Open with at least five PGA Tour wins that season including a major. Arnold Palmer did it twice – when he won at Cherry Hills in 1960, and two years later when he lost in a playoff to Jack Nicklaus at Oakmont.

Scheffler’s distance control with his irons has been worth drooling over this year. He leads all players in average proximity to the hole, sticking it nearly four-and-a-half feet closer than the tour average. He’s not just the best from 150-175 yards away (21-6), he’s the best with a wedge in his hand, too (First from 50-125).

One of the less heralded facets of Scheffler’s greatness is his ability to avoid mistakes, one of the hallmarks of a U.S. Open setup. This season after hitting a fairway on a par 4 or 5, Scheffler has then gone on to make bogey just 5.1 percent of the time, the lowest rate of any player on the PGA Tour. Scheffler is 153-under-par in those situations this season, 25 strokes better than any other player. Good luck, y’all.

The lesson of Scottie Scheffler at this U.S. Open, from the man who taught him

3. Few players in modern history have been as consistently good at the U.S. Open without winning it than reigning PGA Champ Xander Schauffele. Not only is Schauffele the only player to finish in the top 15 at the U.S. Open each of the last seven years, he’s the first player to begin his U.S. Open career with seven top 15s in a row since Bobby Jones. Since World War II, only Jack Nicklaus (12) and Sam Snead (9) have a streak longer than Schauffele’s at any point in their careers. Schauffele’s career scoring average at the U.S. Open is 70.25, the best of any player the last 50 years with at least 20 rounds under their belt.

The test facing Schauffele and the field this week will be vastly different than the birdie bonanza at Valhalla. In his win last month, Schauffele became the first player in men’s professional golf history to finish 21-under-par. In the previous three U.S. Opens held at Pinehurst, there have been four players – combined – who finished better than par.

Schauffele is one of the few players with the truly complete skill set that reveals itself at a venue like Pinehurst: He is the only man on the PGA Tour this season ranked in the top 40 in strokes gained off-the-tee, approach, around the green and putting.

U.S. Open Big Board: After Scottie Scheffler, how does the field stack up at Pinehurst?

4. One trend worth keeping tabs on this week is whether or not length off the tee continues to strengthen its significance at the U.S. Open. From 1984 through 2015, the average driving distance rank of U.S. Open champions for the week was 27.6. Just 44 percent of those winners ranked in the top 15 for the championship. That has changed dramatically: the last eight champions have a driving distance rank of 6.8, with each ranking in the top 15 (at least) that week.

For past winners at Pinehurst, we have seen a mixed bag when it comes to driving distance. In 1999, Payne Stewart ranked 50th of the 68 players who made the cut that week in average length off the tee. Michael Campbell was middle-of-the-pack (36th) in 2005, while Kaymer ranked seventh the week of his win. And while Johnson (4th in driving distance) and Scott (9th) finished in the top 10 here a decade ago, Erik Compton (40th) tied for runner-up.

5. If Wyndham Clark was Scheffler’s main foil earlier in the season (runner-up at Bay Hill and The Players), then Collin Morikawa has taken that mantle more recently (shared the final pairing at the Masters and the Memorial). The two-time major winner is the only player to finish in the top five this year at both the PGA and Masters. Sunday was his toughest day at both Augusta and Valhalla this year: in Rounds 1 through 3 at those two majors, he gained 4.45 strokes on the field per round. In the final round, that number dropped to -1.63.

Morikawa is one of the most improved short-game players on the PGA Tour, up from 88th in 2023 to ninth this year in strokes gained around the green. One of his other strong traits will benefit him greatly around this place: he’s second on tour in both fairways hit and distance from the edge of the fairway on tee shots.

6. Thursday will be the 149th men’s major championship round contested since Rory McIlroy won the 2014 PGA. In recent years, McIlroy has been at his best at the U.S. Open. Since 2019, his strokes gained average of +2.94 is nearly a full shot better than any of the other three biggest events in the game. McIlroy is the only player to finish in the top 10 each of the last five years at this championship. In fact, the last player with a longer streak was Jack Nicklaus, who did it in six straight from 1977 to 1982.

McIlroy leads all players in strokes gained ball striking and strokes gained total per round at the U.S. Open since 2019. A year ago at LACC, his 72-hole total of 271 was the lowest score in the history of the championship by a player who didn’t win. His 20 top-10 finishes in majors since his last win are the most of any player in that span. Each of these pieces of information pale in comparison to the simple number draped around his neck for nearly a decade running: 4. His major total.

7. At Valhalla, Bryson DeChambeau earned the ill-starred distinction of being the only player in golf history to finish a major 20 strokes under par and not win. He didn’t leave with the Wanamaker, but DeChambeau was unquestionably one of the week’s big winners. Fittingly, the closest thing the sport has to a professional wrestler has executed a reverse heel turn, eliciting arguably the loudest cheers of anybody last month in Kentucky.

Oh, by the way, he’s still an extremely good player. Nobody has gained more strokes off the tee at the majors this year than DeChambeau, which isn’t surprising. What might be, though, is that he is one of just three players to make the cut in both the Masters and PGA this year and average at least 0.3 strokes gained per round in each of the key denominations (the others are Morikawa and Tommy Fleetwood). DeChambeau is more balanced, statistically speaking, than he probably gets credit for. Can the scientist unlock another U.S. Open puzzle?

'I'm just hoping not to mess it up': Inside Johnson Wagner's meteoric rise to golf media stardom

8. While Brooks Koepka has finished outside the top 15 in each of the four majors held since his win at Oak Hill, to make him a footnote entering Thursday’s opening round is foolish. The only other time since 2016 that Koepka went four major starts in a row with no result in the top 15, he went T2 at the 2019 Masters and then won the PGA.

Brooks sandwiched a LIV Golf win in Singapore between ninth-place finishes in Adelaide and Houston. Despite the recent run of un-Brooksian major form, he’s still a combined 92 strokes under par in the majors since 2016, 16 shots better than anyone else in that span. Koepka’s 2.44 strokes gained total per round are the third-most of any player with 20 or more rounds at the U.S. Open the last 50 years, trailing only Schauffele and Tom Weiskopf.

9. Jon Rahm was forced to withdraw due to a foot infection, an understandable predicament that only emphasizes how incredible Adam Scott’s current streak in the majors is.

While it was in question for a bit, Scott is in the field this week – making his 92nd consecutive major championship start. The last major without the affable Aussie in the field was the 2001 U.S. Open, won by Retief Goosen at Southern Hills. Nick Dunlap – who won earlier this year on tour – was born more than two years later. Scott is grouped with Billy Horschel and Chris Kirk for the first two rounds.

10. In Koepka, Clark, Brian Harman, Scheffler and Schauffele, the men’s game has had five different American winners of the last five majors. It’s the first time that has happened since a run from the 1983 U.S. Open through the following year’s U.S. Open at Winged Foot (Larry Nelson, Tom Watson, Hal Sutton, Ben Crenshaw and Fuzzy Zoeller). If a sixth different American player wins this week, it will be the longest such streak since the late 1970’s.

It’s been especially difficult to recover at major championships recently after a tough opening round. Thirty-nine of the last 41 men’s major winners have opened with week with a round under par. The average first-round deficit of major champions in that stretch is a mere 2.8 strokes.

The test at Pinehurst begins Thursday morning.

(Top photo: Andrew Redington / Getty Images)

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Justin Ray is a contributor at The Athletic and the Head of Content for Twenty First Group, a sports intelligence agency that works with players, broadcasters, manufacturers and media. He has been in sports media for more than 10 years and was previously a senior researcher for ESPN and Golf Channel. Follow Justin on Twitter @ JustinRayGolf