Here is a look at the top five contenders for the second major tournament of the golf season, which gets underway at Erin Hills Golf Course in Wisconsin on Thursday.
Dustin Johnson (USA)
After his breakthrough US Open win last year, Johnson seemed poised to take a stranglehold on the men’s game this season. But a freak back injury on the eve of the opening round at the Masters derailed his progress. But his big hitting should ensure he is in contention on the par-72 layout, set to be the longest major championship course in history.
Rory McIlroy (NIR)
His preparations have been interrupted by a niggling rib and back injury which have curtailed his appearances on tour. But McIlroy is looking forward to returning to the US Open – the scene of his first major triumph in 2011. McIlroy also hopes to benefit from stability in his private life. He married fiancee Erica Stoll in a private ceremony in Ireland in April.
Jordan Spieth (USA)
Became the youngest US Open winner in 92 years in 2015, two months after claiming the Masters. It was followed by a patchy 2016, best remembered for his back nine meltdown on the final day of the Masters when a five-shot lead evaporated. But a solid start to 2017 began with three top-10 finishes before he won at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
Jon Rahm (ESP)
Has made a smooth transition to the professional game after an amateur career that included a 60-week spell at world No 1. His 2017 season began with a victory at the Farmers Insurance Open. Finished two behind winner Johnson at the WGC-Mexico Championship and also pushed him all the way in the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play final.
Hideki Matsuyama (JPN)
Increasingly looks likely to join South Korea’s Yang Yong-eun as the only Asian-born man to win a major championship. Matsuyama finished seventh at the Masters, missed the cuts at the US and British Opens, and ended fourth at the PGA Championship. This season he retained the Phoenix Open and perfinsihed 11th at Augusta.
* Agence France-Presse
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