Reigning US Open Champion Retief Goosen of South Africa heads a strong list of European Tour Members already qualified to compete in the 2002 Championship at Bethpage State Park, Farmingdale, New York, from June 13-16.
Goosen, who beat Mark Brooks in an 18 hole play-off at Southern Hills Country Club last year, defends his title from a field containing a minimum of 22 European Tour Members, including two-time US Open Champion and his fellow countryman, Ernie Els.
Among the Major Champions in the field are John Daly of America, Bernhard Langer of Germany, Paul Lawrie of Scotland, Spain's José Maria Olazábal and Fiji's Vijay Singh.
European Tour Member Peter O'Malley has earned an exemption through his money earnings on the PGA Tour of Australasia and his position on the Official World Golf Ranking. The USGA offered an exemption from qualification to the top two money leaders in Australasia provided they are in the top 75 in the world. O'Malley is currently ranked Number 67.
Three European Tour Members will be making their debuts in the 2002 US Open - Niclas Fasth of Sweden, England's David Howell and Australian Adam Scott, recent winner of the Qatar Masters.
Latest list of European Tour Members in the field are:
Thomas Björn
Angel Cabrera
Michael Campbell
Darren Clarke
José Coceres
John Daly
Ernie Els
Niclas Fasth
Sergio Garcia
Retief Goosen
Padraig Harrington
David Howell
Robert Karlsson
Bernhard Langer
Paul Lawrie
Paul McGinley
Colin Montgomerie
José Maria Olazábal
Peter O'Malley
Adam Scott
Vijay Singh
Lee Westwood
