5 things to know for Thursday’s first round at the U.S. Open

The major season is fast and furious, with the third leg already upon us. The U.S. Open is here, and from what we can tell, it looks like it will be an absolute barn burner.

The pro golf world is currently in the midst of unprecedented uncertainty and chaos, but right now, there is only one thing on pros’ minds: Winning the U.S. Open.

Here are five things to know for Thursday’s opening round in Los Angeles.

The favorites

The early days of a major week are all about speculation. Who is the most likely player to come our on top on Sunday?

Scottie Scheffler is the clear favorite by a solid margin (+600), followed by Jon Rahm (+1000), Brooks Koepka (+1100) and Rory McIlroy (+1200).

Major winners all, with Koepka and Rahm as the most recent champions, prevailing at the PGA and Masters, respectively.

What’s at stake?

At a major championship, there’s plenty of motivation: winners etch their name in the annals of golf lore forever, and get to pocket a big check, too.

But these days, given the us-versus-them mentality that has developed between the PGA Tour and LIV since the Saudi-backed league debuted last year, players seem to be taking their finishes a bit more seriously. A LIV player’s success is shared by the league as a whole, and the same goes for the PGA Tour. With that in mind, and given last week’s news of the partnership between the PGA Tour and the Saudi PIF, it adds even more intrigue to how things will ultimately play out this week.

News

Phil’s grand slam hopes

Phil Mickelson is among a small contingent of current players who need only one more major to complete the career grand slam. After a record six runner-up finishes at the U.S. Open, Mickelson’s annual chance to expunge that monkey from his back is this week.

Though any year would be a good one for Mickelson to win a U.S. Open, one can’t help but feel that the timing of this one would be particularly poignant: a U.S. Open in Mickelson’s home state, won at a record age, by the player who arguably has carried the most influence of anyone in the PGA Tour-LIV struggle.

Wow isn’t a strong enough word. Mickelson proved he can still hang with the world’s best at Augusta this year. Can he do it again here at the U.S. Open? We can’t wait to watch.

Can Matt Fitzpatrick defend?

Defending a U.S. Open is so difficult, it’s only been done by seven players ever, and two since Ben Hogan in 1951: Curtis Strange and Brooks Koepka.

With a U.S. Amateur victory and a win at The Country Club last year, Fitzpatrick’s game is clearly suited to a USGA setup, though. Will he add his name to that short list?

The course

Los Angeles Country Club has been receiving rave reviews since Gil Hanse’s restoration was unveiled, but this week will mark its truest test. What will the players have to say after the opening round? Will it be exceedingly tough? The “half-par holes” offer so many possibilities, it’s possible for the players to compete on a very different course each day in terms of setup.

To summarize: Let’s goooooo! We can’t wait to watch.