The European Swing takes a break as Major season continues on the DP World Tour with the U.S. Open. Here are your five things to know.
Spaun defends
J.J. Spaun claimed a maiden Major Championship title in dramatic fashion 12 months ago at Oakmont Country Club. The American began the final day one shot behind third-round leader Sam Burns and his chances of winning looked to have gone up in smoke after he carded five bogeys in his first six holes on Sunday. But a 90-minute delay due to dangerous weather just after 4pm local time changed things and he was in a share of the lead stood on the 17th tee. A birdie there edged him ahead and the he made a spectacular 65-footer on the last to get to one under and finish two shots ahead of Robert MacIntyre. "I never thought I would be here holding this trophy," he said. "I've always had aspirations and dreams but I never knew what my ceiling was, I never knew how good I could be but I'm just proud that I've been resilient in my career and pushed through a lot of things. Just trying to be the best golfer I can be. And I'm happy to display that today at Oakmont."
Scheffler and McIlroy chasing history
All eyes will be on World Number One Scottie Scheffler as he makes his first attempt at completing the career Grand Slam. His win at last year's US PGA Championship and Open, added to his two Masters triumphs, put him on the cusp of joining golf's most exclusive club and he has not slowed down since, with three further PGA TOUR victories, a runner-up finish at the Masters and a worst result of 24th. One man who has already won the career Grand Slam is Rory McIlroy and he will be chasing more history in New York State. His win at the Masters took his Major tally to six and another would see him surpass Sir Nick Faldo as the European with the most Major wins in the four-event era.
100 up for Adam Scott
It was three days after Adam Scott's 21st birthday that the Australian teed it up in his second Major at the 2001 Open. He has not missed one since and this week makes it 100 consecutive starts in golf's four biggest events. In the near 25 years between those two starts he has won the Masters, had 19 other Major top tens and been World Number One, all the while possessing one of the most enviable swings in the game. He will certainly get plenty of attention this week but don't expect it to be a lap of honour for the 45-year-old who is still in and around the top 50 in the world - he will have the trophy on his mind.
Grateful nine make their debuts
The United States' national open and Shinnecock Hills Golf Club will provide a unique challenge and nine DP World Tour members are set to face it for the first time. Alex Fitzpatrick, Jayden Schaper, Nathan Kimsey, Adrien Saddier, Filippo Celli and Angel Hidalgo will all be playing the event for the first time, while for Ugo Coussaud, Rocco Repetto Taylor and Hennie Du Plessis, it will be a first appearance at any Major. Six of those nine players came through the Qualifying process which when saw 10,201 players sign up for a chance to play.
All to play for
There may not be European Swing points on offer this week but the result could have serious implications on the season-long Race to Dubai. There are 10,000 Race to Dubai ranking points to be played for, with 1,665 going to the winner, meaning Rory McIlroy, Jayden Schaper and Aaron Rai could all overtake current leader Patrick Reed at the top of the standings. Also up for grabs are, alongside the trophy and Jack Nicklaus Medal, a U.S. Open exemption for the next ten years, an invitation to the next five Masters Tournaments, an exemption into the next five Open Championships, US PGA Championships and PLAYERS Championships and exempt status on the PGA TOUR for five years.
