It barely seems like yesterday when the last golf major was played in 2021. Simple answer is it was only 25 days since Phil Mickleson lifted the PGA Championship at Kiawah Island.On Thursday at Torrey Pines the US Open will commence with Bryson deChambeau defending his title. The American dominate this event back in 2020, winning by six shots.
Second time around for Torrey Pines
This will be the second time that Torrey Pines has hosted the event, the other was in 2008. In a marathon playoff, Tiger Woods got the better of Rocco Mediate.
The South Course will play host to all four rounds this week. The course is a difficult par 71 with narrow fairways and deep rough and measures almost 7,652 yards.
A strong field will be taking part in the event with Jon Rahm the favourite. The Spaniard has won on this course before and is coming into form at the right time. However, he hasn’t the best record in the US Open, but has the all-round skills to go well.
Rahm recently tested positive for Covid-19
Rahm was recently tested positive for Covid-19 which ended his run at the Memorial early. Since then he has had two further test which have proved negative and is free to play at Torrey Pines.
American Dustin Johnson is another golfer that has been inconsistent this season but has recovered some of his form recently. His record in US Open’s is impressive, having finished sixth or better in five of the last seven US Open’s.
If both DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka can sort their recent differences out between them, both should do well here. Between them the pair have won three of the last four US Open’s.
Not the tournament for Spieth to shine
The US Open hasn’t been kind to Jordan Spieth who has a poor record at Torrey Pines. He doesn’t have a top 10 in eight starts at the major which is worrying for his large American fan base.
Both Justin Thomas and Rory McIlroy come into the tournament in less than great form. Thomas hasn’t appeared at Torrey Pine since 2015. He has two top 10 finishes in six US Open starts. McIlroy has missed the cut at three of his last six US Opens and is lacking confidence at the moment.
One man who thrives at the US Open is American Xander Schauffele. Local hero Schauffele has finished in the top six in each of his four starts at this event and will once again relish the challenge ahead of him.
Reed has a strong US Open track record
Patrick Reed has a strong US Open record recently finishing inside the top 15 in four of his last six starts. He has also never missed the cut in four starts and has a wonderful putting game.
Britain’s challenge will be led by Lee Westwood along with Tyrell Hatton. Westwood is Mr consistent around American courses and normally finishes inside the top ten.
Hatton, has never teed up at Torrey Pines, but has the game to negotiate this long course. Has had mixed results at the US Open where he was sixth in 2018, but has missed the cut twice in four starts.