Five golfers to watch in the U.S. Open golf tournament
Rory McIlroy
Age: 26.
Country: Northern Ireland.
World ranking: 1.
Career worldwide wins: 17.
Victories in majors: U.S. Open (2011), British Open (2014), PGA Championship (2012, 2014).
Worth noting: McIlroy is coming off consecutive missed cuts. That’s not unusual for him, nor is it always a sign of how he will play.
Jordan Spieth
Age: 21.
Country: United States.
World ranking: 2.
Career worldwide wins: 5.
Victories in majors: Masters (2015).
Worth noting: Spieth’s solid putting and short game should make him a contender for his second straight major championship.
Rickie Fowler
Age: 26.
Country: United States.
World ranking: 9.
Career worldwide wins: 3.
Victories in majors: none.
Worth noting: Fowler showed off his full potential at The Players Championship, not because he won, but how he won. He was fearless and confident.
Phil Mickelson
Age: 45.
Country: United States.
World ranking: 19.
Career worldwide wins: 45.
Victories in majors: Masters (2004, 2006, 2010), British Open (2013), PGA Championship (2005).
Worth noting: Mickelson has been runner-up in the U.S. Open six times. This is the 50th anniversary of Gary Player completing his Grand Slam at a U.S. Open.
Tiger Woods
Age: 39.
Country: United States.
World ranking: 181.
Career worldwide wins: 90
Victories in majors: Masters (1997, 2001, 2002, 2005), US Open (2000, 2002, 2008), British Open (2000, 2005, 2006), PGA Championship (1999, 2000, 2006, 2007).
Worth noting: Woods has gone seven years since his 14th and last major, and little in his recent play suggests that he will be a threat.
| Staff and wire reports
This story was originally published June 13, 2015 at 3:56 PM with the headline "Five golfers to watch in the U.S. Open golf tournament."