Racing Post 2021 US Open player-by-player guide

Steve Palmer's player-by-player guide to the US Open, which starts at Torrey Pines, California on Thursday.

Thomas Aiken

Three-time European Tour champion, but not since 2014, and outside the world's top 1,500. Qualifier with no chance.

Steve Allan

Aussie veteran last played in US Open in 2010. Qualifier likely to miss cut.

Abraham Ancer

Mexican ace who regularly contends on the PGA Tour but is yet to make his breakthrough at the age of 30. He has played in seven Stateside Majors and is yet to miss a cut, finishing eighth in the US PGA a month ago. Torrey Pines form of MC-20-MC from the Farmers Insurance Open. Top-20 claims.

Marcus Armitage

The Salford-born 33-year-old won his maiden European Tour title in Germany the week before last. Making the cut would be a huge achievement this week on his Stateside Major debut.'

Yosuke Asaji

Japanese 28-year-old has won twice in his homeland but has never played a Stateside Major and seems set to struggle.

Chris Baker

The 35-year-old journeyman from Indiana seems unlikely to earn much bread for his backers. Major debut likely to end Friday night.

Luis Fernando Barco

The first Peruvian to qualify for the US Open. Will probably become the first Peruvian to miss the cut in a US Open on Friday.

Paul Barjon

Frenchman plying his trade on the Korn Ferry Tour - a circuit on which he won last month. He has also won three times in Canada. Most of the qualifiers seem set to feel the halfway axe on Friday night, but Barjon may earn a pardon.

Daniel Berger

The Floridian fired a Saturday-morning 66 to propel himself into US Open contention in 2018, eventually finishing sixth, but he has never seriously threatened Major glory. He has won four times on the PGA Tour, but has missed the cut in his last three Torrey Pines starts.

Christiaan Bezuidenhout

The 27-year-old South African, a three-time European Tour champion, is a PGA Tour maiden playing in only his second US Open. Seems likely to battle his way to the weekend without making a serious impression.

Akshay Bhatia

California-born 19-year-old has qualified for his Major debut. He turned pro in September, 2019. Steep learning curve.

Richard Bland

The 48-year-old won his maiden European Tour title in the British Masters last month. He has played in only one US Open, missing the cut in 2009. Weekend employment would be a feather in the cap of Matt LeTissier's best pal this week.

Hayden Buckley

The Florida-based 25-year-old qualifier won on the Canadian Tour in 2019 and the Korn Ferry Tour this year. Major debut.

Sam Burns

The talented 24-year-old made his PGA Tour breakthrough in the Valspar Championship last month, then was runner-up in the Byron Nelson next time out. A withdrawal after nine holes of the US PGA with a back injury ended the hot streak, though, and was followed by a poor weekend in the Memorial last time out. Has never bettered 29th spot in a Major.

Rafael Cabrera Bello

The 37-year-old Spaniard has won three times on the European Tour, but has never made much of an impact Stateside. US Open form figures of 47-MC-32-42-36-65-23 seem unlikely to be dramatically improved this week.

Patrick Cantlay

The Californian can look forward to a home-state Major with winning form behind him - he took advantage of Jon Rahm's Covid nightmare to win the Memorial last time out. The 29-year-old has never missed a cut in the US Open (21-41-45-21-43), but Farmers Insurance Open (Torrey Pines) results of 51-MC are unimpressive.

Mario Carmona

Mexican who has lived in Houston since the age of 12. The 25-year-old qualifier will expect to miss the cut.

Paul Casey

The Englishman tied for 65th in the 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines. His 68 Major appearances have yet to yield silverware and 17 US Open starts have resulted in a best finish of tenth place. Fourth spot in the US PGA last month shows he remains a threat at the age of 43. Results of 22-MC-MC-28 in the annual PGA Tour event at Torrey.

Cameron Champ

The Californian powerhouse won the second of his two PGA Tour titles in his home state. He has made the cut in five of his seven Major appearances, with a best finish of tenth in last year's US PGA, but recent form, including an 82 in the Memorial before withdrawing last time out, makes him difficult to trust for Torrey.

Stewart Cink

The 2009 Open champion tied for 14th place in the 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines. He won a PGA Tour event in California in September - the Safeway Open - then followed up with victory in the RBC Heritage in April. The 48-year-old has got a spring in his step, has finished in the top three in each of the four Majors, and seems well capable of featuring on this leaderboard.

Stewart Cink could lead the veterans' challenge for US Open gloryCredit: Cliff Hawkins

Wyndham Clark

US Open debut for the 27-year-old PGA Tour maiden. Long enough off the tee to compete at Torrey Pines, but probably too erratic to contend.

Eric Cole

The 33-year-old qualifier is surely just making up the numbers.

Corey Conners

The Canadian greens-in-regulation machine has started to impress in Majors, finishing tenth and eighth in the last two Masters. He has not missed a cut since February. Farmers form of 29-37. Place claims.
Pierceson Coody - The amateur from Texas overcame illness to qualify. He is second in the world amateur rankings and good enough to threaten weekend employment.

Roy Cootes

The 24-year-old won a qualifier close to home in La Quinta, California. A missed cut seems long odds-on.

Dave Coupland

The Boston man, just inside the top 500 of the world rankings, finished third in the British Masters a month ago - a beacon among a sea of missed cuts. A couple of quid on Coupland is not recommended.

Christopher Crawford

The 27-year-old has qualified for the US Open for the third time. A hat-trick of missed cuts should be completed.

Bryson DeChambeau

The defending champion can employ his incredible power to good effect at Torrey Pines and seems unlikely to surrender his crown without a fight. He has missed the cut in his two previous Farmers Insurance Open appearances, but the last of them was in 2018, before he turned himself into Hulk. The ongoing spat with Brooks Koepka seems unhelpful.

Thomas Detry

The Belgian is yet to win on the European Tour, squandering numerous chances, and winning a Major seems a fanciful concept at this stage of his career. Major form of 49-MC.

Harris English

The Georgian giant played well in the Palmetto Championship last week, showing glimpses of the form which won him the Sentry Tournament of Champions in January. He lost a playoff for the 2015 Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey and finished fourth in the US Open last year, so can boast some strong credentials.

Tony Finau

The PGA Tour nearly-man, who has only the 2016 Puerto Rico Open title to his name, has a rock-solid Majors record. Ten top-tens in 20 Major starts. He tied second in the Farmers Insurance Open at the end of January and is suited to the stiff tee-to-green assignment. He won the 2002 Junior World Championship there. A place-only investment may be sensible.

Tony Finau could enjoy the Torrey Pines assignmentCredit: Getty Images

Matthew Fitzpatrick

The six-time European Tour champion is yet to get off the mark on the PGA Tour, despite consistently featuring on leaderboards over the last year. Seventh place is the Sheffield man's best finish in 24 Major starts. Torrey Pines is a slog for him.

Tommy Fleetwood

Like Fitzpatrick, extremely successful on the European Tour but winless Stateside. Fleetwood has contended for the US Open title, though, finishing fourth in 2017 and runner-up in 2018. Recent form has been unimpressive and he is making his Torrey Pines debut.

Dylan Frittelli

The South African won his lone PGA Tour title in the 2019 John Deere Classic. By far his best Major result is fifth place in the 2020 Masters. He has missed the cut in seven of his 12 Majors. Recent form is dire, but he won the 2007 Junior World Championship at Torrey.

Wilson Furr

Mississippi man came through the South Carolina qualifier. Strokeplay medallist in last year's US Amateur, but will probably have a furrowed brow when inspecting the US Open cut-line on Friday night.

Luis Gagne

The 23-year-old Costa Rican is playing in the US Open for a third time. He tied for 48th in the 2018 edition, so will have some hope of making the weekend.

Sergio Garcia

The 2017 Masters champion tied for 18th in the 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines. At the age of 41, the Spaniard has dropped out of the elite and his recent Majors record is appalling, with 11 missed cuts since he claimed the Green Jacket.

Fabian Gomez

The 42-year-old Argentinian has never made the cut in a Major and has slipped outside the world's top 400.

Branden Grace

The South African contended for a long way in the US PGA a month ago, before crumbling badly in round four, but fourth place in the Memorial last time out was encouraging. He missed the cut in his only previous Torrey visit, but has twice finished in the top five in the US Open.

Lanto Griffin

The Californian, who has just turned 33, has missed the cut in three of his previous five Majors. Farmers form of 12-MC-7 is eyecatching, but he is without a top-20 finish anywhere since his last Torrey visit.

Adam Hadwin

Sixteen Majors have resulted in six missed cuts and a best finish of 24th place. The Canadian is difficult to fancy.

Cole Hammer

Former world number one amateur came into the field as an alternate after Mikko Korhonen withdrew. Third US Open start for Hammer (MC-MC), who competed in 2015 at the age of 15. Probably still not quite polished enough to make the cut.

Brian Harman

Gritty little left-hander who finished runner-up behind Brooks Koepka in the 2017 US Open at Erin Hills. That is Harman's only Major top-ten in 20 starts. He has missed his last two cuts at Torrey Pines.

Tyrrell Hatton

The Buckinghamshire man has won six times on the European Tour and once on the PGA Tour, but is an inconsistent Majors performer. US Open form of MC-6-21-MC. Torrey Pines debut. Tied second in the Palmetto on Sunday.

Russell Henley

Three Web.com Tour wins were followed by three PGA Tour titles, but the 32-year-old has not made enough of his talent, failing to register a top-ten finish in 26 Major appearances. Missed the cut in only previous Torrey visit.

James Hervol

His residence is in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The 23-year-old Canadian Tour regular probably doesn't live in a hovel, so earning zero dollars from the US Open will be nothing to fret about.

Garrick Higgo

South African left-hander won twice on the Canary Islands Swing of the European Tour to propel himself up the world rankings, then landed maiden PGA Tour title in the Palmetto Championship on Sunday. Self-assured and super-talented, the youngster is clearly going places, but a US Open debut is never easy.

Joe Highsmith

The 54th-ranked amateur in the world. Left-hander who likes wearing silly hats.

Bo Hoag

The 32-year-old won on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2019. Major debut. Outside the world's top 200 and withdrew when six over par through 15 holes of round two in the Palmetto Championship last week.

Charley Hoffman

The 44-year-old San Diego man has posted only two Major top-tens in 34 starts, but one of them came in the US Open - eighth in 2017 - and he can make an impact in his home city this week. His Torrey Pines record is solid and he has been in bright form, with second spot in the Texas Open in April followed by third at Colonial last month.

Tom Hoge

Five of his last six tournaments have resulted in a missed cut. Two of his five Majors have ended in a missed cut, with a best finish of 43rd place.

Max Homa

Two-time PGA Tour champion at the age of 30. A Californian who won in his home state at Riviera in February. Six of his seven Majors have resulted in a missed cut and he was 64th on the occasion he made the weekend. Aside from his abysmal Majors record, he seems a serious threat, given sixth place in the Valspar last month and sixth again in the Memorial last time out. He has finished ninth and 18th in the last two Farmers at Torrey.

Billy Horschel

The cocksure Floridian won the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play at the end of March, but his strokeplay form has been humdrum since. Fourth place in the 2013 US Open is his only Majors top-ten in 30 appearances.

Rikuya Hoshino

The 25-year-old Japanese has won five times in his homeland, but has never made the cut in a Major.

Viktor Hovland

The Norwegian starlet has quickly established himself as one of the world's premier ball-strikers. A two-time PGA Tour champion at the age of 23, he has played in six Majors and not finished worse than 33rd. US Open form figures of 12-13 should be bolstered this week. He tied second in the Farmers Insurance Open in January.

Viktor Hovland has form at Torrey PinesCredit: Mike Ehrmann

Mackenzie Hughes

The Canadian plodder has missed his last five cuts. He has missed his last two Farmers cuts. He has missed six cuts in his eight Major starts.

John Huh

Should I back him? Huh? No. Has missed his last four cuts.

Sungjae Im

Increasingly frustrating Korean who has found it impossible to string four good rounds together since finishing fifth at Kapalua at the start of the year. Last season's Honda Classic champion is still only 23 and was second in the 2020 Masters, but he is making too many mistakes to be trusted at the moment.

Ryo Ishikawa

The Bashful Prince, a former prodigy, has had less to be bashful about in recent years and resides well outside the world's top 100. His 22 Majors have resulted in 13 missed cuts, with a best finish of 20th.

Dustin Johnson

The South Carolinian tied for 48th place in the 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines. Jon Rahm put Johnson's world-number-one ranking under threat in the Memorial the week before last, but DJ responded with a decent performance in the Palmetto Championship, in which his recently troublesome putting improved. His results from the last seven US Opens (4-2-1-MC-3-35-6) are impressive. He won the Masters last year, but has missed the cut in the last two Majors.

Zach Johnson

The Iowa man missed the cut by a shot in the 2008 US Open at Torrey. He has won two Majors - the 2007 Masters and the 2015 Open - but he has never bettered eighth place in 17 US Opens. The 45-year-old is easy to ignore.

Michael Johnson

Not the sprinter chap who runs with his head arched back. This Johnson is a 28-year-old who finished third in the 2016 Barbasol Championship. Decent player. Underachiever. A qualifier who could go well.

Matt Jones

Runaway winner of the Honda Classic in the middle of March, but form has dipped sharply since and 18 previous Majors have yielded zero top-20s.

Sunghoon Kang

The 2020 Arnold Palmer Invitational (March) provided the Korean's last top-20 finish. Weak ball-striker.

Martin Kaymer

The German tied for 53rd in the 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines. Victory followed in the 2010 US PGA and the 2014 US Open, but he has not won anything since and has missed the cut in six of his last nine Majors.

Brad Kennedy

Australian journeyman making US Open debut. Turns 47 on Friday. Still effective in low grades, but has never made the cut in a Major.

Si Woo Kim

Injury-prone Korean won The American Express at the end of January, his third PGA Tour title. He has a good record in California, but 18 Majors have yielded no top-tens.

Chan Kim

The Korean-born American, 31, has played six Stateside Majors and missed the cut in five of them. Five-time Japan Tour winner, but should be outclassed.

Kevin Kisner

The 37-year-old Carolinian appears to have lost some self-belief with putter in hand and has drifted outside the top 50 of the world rankings. His 25 Majors have yielded only two top-tens, with seventh place his best effort in a Stateside Major.

Brooks Koepka

Tied second in the US PGA a month ago, despite putting poorly, but has been struggling for fitness in the wake of knee surgery and missed the cut by two shots in the Palmetto Championship last week. The dual US Open champion insists his game is in great shape, but three missed cuts in four starts suggests otherwise and Farmers form of 41-MC-MC is uncompelling.

A third US Open title looks unlikely for Brooks KoepkaCredit: Getty Images

Jason Kokrak

Confidence is coursing through the veins of the 36-year-old, who has won two PGA Tour titles in gutsy fashion, seeing off Xander Schauffele (2020 CJ Cup) and Jordan Spieth (2021 Colonial) in Sunday duels. Farmers form of 25-MC-20-21-29 is steady and Kokrak could contend for his first Major title this week.

Andrew Kozan

The 101st best amateur in the world rankings. Out-of-depth qualifier.

Matt Kuchar

The Floridian plodder tied for 48th place in the 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines. He turns 43 next week as a Major maiden who has notched 12 top-tens in the four most prestigious events on the calendar. He withdrew from the Memorial last time out, citing an arm injury when nine over par through 14 holes.

Martin Laird

The 38-year-old Scot has won four PGA Tour titles, but 23 Majors have yielded a best finish of 20th and 13 missed cuts.

Rick Lamb

Major maiden. Lamb to the slaughter. Quite literally. If Torrey Pines was an abattoir.

Kyoung-Hoon Lee

The Korean made his PGA Tour breakthrough in the Byron Nelson a month ago. Three Majors, three missed cuts. Three Farmers starts, three missed cuts.

Marc Leishman

The Aussie has contended three times in the Masters and three times in the Open, but has struggled in the US Open and US PGA. Maybe Torrey Pines, where he won 2020 Farmers, will change his US Open fortunes. He has twice finished second in the Farmers, so must be respected.

Joe Long

The 2020 Amateur champion. The 24-year-old Bristolian missed the cut by seven shots in the Masters, his Major debut, in April.

Shane Lowry

The Irishman's two-year reign as Open champion is finally nearing a conclusion. He has started playing well as his grip on the Claret Jug loosens, and seems extremely upbeat, following fourth place in the US PGA with sixth in the Memorial. He tied second behind Dustin Johnson in the 2016 US Open and could go close again this week. Farmers form of 7-13-33-MC is regressive but respectable.

Shane Lowry is enjoying a purple patch StatesideCredit: Getty Images

Robert MacIntyre

The British hype machine has essentially labelled the little left-hander the new Colin Montgomerie, but he is yet to win a main-tour standard-format strokeplay event. The Scot is a decent player, but probably not ready to win Majors. Torrey Pines debut.

Peter Malnati

Two Majors, two missed cuts. Has missed 11 of his last 12 cuts on Tour.

Hideki Matsuyama

The Masters champion finished 23rd in the US PGA. His US Open record is solid (10-35-18-MC-2-16-21-17). He tied third in the 2019 Farmers. Massive contender, despite miserable Memorial weekend (79, 76) last time out.

Rory McIlroy

Victory in the Wells Fargo Championship made the Northern Irishman favourite for the US PGA, but he tied for 49th place, following up with 18th spot in the Memorial. He added the Farmers to his schedule in 2019, with results of 5-3-16 since. The 2014 US PGA was his last Major triumph. Can be left alone at the odds.

Adrian Meronk

Pole secured a Major debut with a burst of European Tour form. Has never won on the European Tour and has never played on the PGA Tour.

Troy Merritt

Qualifier who has posted three top-eight finishes on the PGA Tour in the last month and a half. Two-time Tour champ, but has never made an impact in Majors.

Dylan Meyer

Qualifier ranked outside the world's top 1,800. Tied 20th in only previous Major (2018 US Open).

Phil Mickelson

Phil The Thrill dazzled the Kiawah Island galleries a month ago, becoming the oldest Major champion in history at the age of 50. How he must have wished it was the US Open instead - the one title he needs to complete the career Grand Slam. Lefty has finished runner-up in this event six times. He tied for 18th in the 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines. He is competing in his home city this week. Victory is a feasible fairytale for a player who has won the Tour event at Torrey three times.

Phil Mickelson is gunning for back-to-back Major titlesCredit: David Cannon

Guido Migliozzi

Major debut for the 24-year-old Italian, who has won twice on the European Tour and finished second three times. Making the cut would be a great achievement given lack of Stateside experience.

Francesco Molinari

The 2018 Open champion followed up with sixth place in the US PGA that year, then battled with Tiger Woods in the 2019 Masters, before eventually finishing fifth. Losing that Augusta duel with Woods had a lasting negative impact - he was seventh in the world rankings that week but is close to slipping outside the top 200. He lives in California and finished tenth at Torrey Pines at the end of January, but has been labouring with back problems in recent weeks.

Edoardo Molinari

The Molinari brothers are in a Major together for the first time since the 2015 Open. Edoardo has not qualified for a Major since then, but some bright recent form on the European Tour has booked him a Torrey ticket.

Taylor Montgomery

Two runner-up efforts on the Korn Ferry Tour are the career highlights of this qualifier. Major debut.

Collin Morikawa

The 2020 US PGA champion finished eighth in his title defence a month ago. His Major triumph came in his home state of California and he will be relishing another Golden State gig this week. Tied for 21st in only previous Torrey Pines start, but will expect better this week. Serious contender.

Sebastian Munoz

The 28-year-old Colombian has missed the cut in four of his previous seven Majors. Best finish of 54th in three Torrey Pines spins.

Kevin Na

The 37-year-old, who grew up in California, has missed four US Open cuts in nine starts, with a best finish of seventh. He has not played in the Farmers at Torrey since missing the cut in 2011.

Joaquin Niemann

The 22-year-old Chilean appears to be growing in confidence in Major arenas, with results of 23-40-30 from his last three. He has twice won the Junior World Championship at Torrey. Farmers spins of 72-49, though, and regressive form since the Valspar Championship at the start of May cool enthusiasm.

Wilco Nienaber

The South African powerhouse won the Dimension Data Pro-Am on the Sunshine Tour last month and played well on a sponsors invite to the Palmetto Championship last week. Exciting, raw talent making Major debut.

Louis Oosthuizen

The 2010 Open champion has finished runner-up in Stateside Majors four times, most recently behind Phil Mickelson in the US PGA a month ago. US Open form figures of 2-23-23-16-7-3 since 2015 mean the South African deserves great respect this week. He has never won a Stateside event, but is playing well and a threat to all.

Wade Ormsby

Topping the Australasian Tour Order of Merit has earned the Aussie a second Major start. He missed the cut in the 2017 US Open in his first. His powder-puff driving will put him under pressure at Torrey and he seems likely to feel the halfway axe.

Carlos Ortiz

The second set of brothers in this US Open. The Dallas-based Mexican won the Houston Open in November and is playing well, but Major form of MC-52-MC-MC-55 highlights he is still too rough round the edges to succeed at the toughest venues of all.

Alvaro Ortiz

The younger Ortiz brother won the Mexico Open on the South American Tour at the end of March, then came through the Dallas US Open qualifier. He tied for 36th in his only previous Major (2019 Masters).

Charles Osborne

The 180th best amateur in the world, according to the rankings, but runner-up in the 2020 US Amateur. Missed the cut by five shots in the Masters in April.

Ryan Palmer

The 44-year-old Texas has not won a PGA Tour event as an individual since 2010. Teamed up with Jon Rahm for Zurich Classic glory in 2019. Seven previous US Opens have yielded no top-20s, but he has twice tied second in the Farmers at Torrey.

Taylor Pendrith

Powerhouse Canadian who has finished runner-up four times on the Korn Ferry Tour. He is long enough and good enough to threaten a top-20 finish on his Torrey Pines debut.

Victor Perez

The Frenchman, Dunhill Links champion in 2019, is a world-class ball-striker with a chipping weakness. He finished fourth in the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play at the end of March, but has followed up with three consecutive missed cuts, which is poor preparation for his Torrey Pines debut.

Andy Pope

Hasn't got a prayer. Korn Ferry Tour struggler who is outside the world's top 1,000.

JT Poston

Weak ball-striker, strong putter. Terrible Majors record, abysmal recent form.

Ian Poulter

The Ryder Cup legend carded an opening round of 78 in the 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines, before withdrawing after 15 holes of round two, citing a wrist injury. His 15 US Open starts have yielded zero top-tens and a first Major title at the age of 45 would be a shock.

Jon Rahm

Covid crushed the Spaniard at the Memorial last time out. He had a six-shot lead through 54 holes before being forced to withdraw after a positive test. Rahm was initially required to isolate for ten days, but because he was asymptomatic, two negative tests 24 hours apart would free him. The second of those came on Saturday, meaning he could leave Ohio and start his US Open preparations. His Memorial form, coupled with a great Torrey Pines record, makes Rahmbo a huge dangerman as he chases a Major breakthrough this week.

Jon Rahm has the form and record at Torrey Pines to contendCredit: Ezra Shaw

Spencer Ralston

Amateur, 23, qualified in Georgia. Missed cut by a shot in 2020 RBC Heritage on a sponsors invite.

Chez Reavie

Accurate plodder missed six cuts in a row before playing better in the Palmetto Championship last week. He has missed 11 cuts in 23 Majors, but was third in the 2019 US Open.

Patrick Reed

The 2018 Masters champion has become a rock-solid Majors operator, finishing in the top-20 in the last six. He was fourth in the 2018 US Open and will be relishing a return to Torrey Pines, where he won the Farmers Insurance Open by five shots at the end of January. He was sixth in the Memorial last time out. Massive runner.

Patrick Rodgers

Talented underachiever. College superstar in California who is yet to win on the PGA Tour. The Bear's Club member used home advantage to win the US Open qualifier there. He tied fourth in the 2017 Farmers and was ninth in 2020. Could be worth chancing at juicy odds.

Justin Rose

The 40-year-old Englishman missed the cut by two shots in the 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines. He was fifth on his US Open debut in 2003, the first of five top-tens in the tournament, including victory in 2013. Seventh place in the Masters in April was followed by eighth spot in the US PGA. He won the Farmers in 2019 and is well worth considering.

Sam Ryder

Qualifier. Second Major. Missed cut in 2017 US Open. Easy to ignore.

Carson Schaake

Shakin' Stevens has as much chance of winning the US Open as Carson Schaake. Topped the Ohio qualifier. Brother caddying for him.

Xander Schauffele

San Diego man with a rock-solid Majors record - eight top-tens in 16 starts. Amazing US Open record (5-6-3-5). Third spot in the Masters in April was a disappointment after horror tee-shot at the 70th hole found water. He has finished second eight times since his last victory. Tied second in the Farmers in January to end a run of missed cuts in that event. Strong place claims.

Xander Schauffele brings his A-game to the MajorsCredit: Sam Greenwood

Scottie Scheffler

The PGA Tour maiden blew another good chance with third place in the Memorial last time out. He has played well in the last two US PGAs (4-8), but US Open form of MC-27-MC is less attractive, and two Farmers have yielded two missed cuts.

Matthias Schmid

German amateur. Ranked 24 in the world. Came through Dallas qualifier.

Charl Schwartzel

Former Masters champion slowly but surely battling his way back into the world's top 100. Qualified in Ohio. Tee-to-green quality could be enough to threaten a top-20.

Adam Scott

Tied for 26th in the 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines. His last two Farmers starts have yielded results of 2-10. A top-20 could be within his compass this week, but short-game frailties may deny a serious title tilt.

Matthew Sharpsten

Amateur, 22, qualified in Dallas. You don't need to be the sharpest tool in the box to know he's not worth backing this week.

Robby Shelton

The Alabama man greatly impressed as a youngster, but his pro career has failed to take off. Missed the cut in his only previous Major. Farmers form of 36-16 is respectable, though, and the 25-year-old has shown signs of life in the last few weeks.

Davis Shore

Professional debut for the 22-year-old qualifier. Far from a sure thing to make cut.

Greyson Sigg

The 26-year-old qualifier became a Korn Ferry Tour champion a month ago. Making his second consecutive US Open start. Only one player scored worse at Winged Foot.

Webb Simpson

The 2012 US Open champion won his Major in California, but at a contrasting course to Torrey Pines - Olympic Club. From the 2017 US Open onwards, Simpson has played in every Major and finished in the top 40 in all of them. Expect another steady performance, without him threatening the trophy. He has not played in the Farmers since missing the cut in 2011.

Cameron Smith

The Aussie finished fourth on his Major debut in the 2015 US Open, but has struggled in the event since, with Augusta becoming his favourite Major venue. He has been inconsistent at Torrey Pines in the Farmers.

Jordan Smith

The Bath man booked a Torrey ticket with a burst of European Tour form. US Open and Torrey Pines debut. Major form of 9-MC-MC.

Matthew Southgate

Tied for second in the Porsche European Open to earn a second US Open start. Missed cut in 2018. Torrey Pines debut.

JJ Spaun

Born in Los Angeles and attended San Diego State University. Qualified for US Open debut, then missed Palmetto cut last week by eight shots. PGA Tour maiden struggling to keep card.

Jordan Spieth

This year has seen the resurrection of Spieth. After missing the cut in the Farmers at Torrey at the end of January, he dropped to 92nd in the world rankings, but has surged back into the top 25 after a series of strong performances. Victory in the Texas Open was immediately followed by third spot in the Masters, but he blew a golden winning chance at Colonial at the end of last month and has a poor Farmers record.

Hayden Springer

Major debutant, 24. Yet to make a main-tour cut. Will probably be whining like a hungry Springer Spaniel after 36 holes at Torrey.

Brendan Steele

Californian-born and based 38-year-old, who has won two of his three PGA Tour titles in the Golden State. Poor Majors record, though, with nine missed cuts in 19 starts, and has never made an impact at Torrey in the Farmers.

Henrik Stenson

Missed the cut by five shots in the 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines. The Swede arrives this time off 18 months of terrible form. A fading force at the age of 45.

Tyler Strafaci

The 2020 US Amateur champion. Talented but inexperienced 22-year-old. Missed the cut in his previous two Majors.

Kevin Streelman

Tied for 53rd in the 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines. He was third in the 2016 Farmers. The 42-year-old enjoyed the best Major finish of his career (eighth place) in the US PGA a month ago. A share of 13th is his best finish in seven US Opens.

Brian Stuard

The 38-year-old plodder from Michigan has missed the cut in six of his nine Majors, with a best finish of 36th place. The 2016 Zurich Classic is his only PGA Tour win.

Zack Sucher

The final player into the field, added as an alternate when the already qualified Garrick Higgo won the Palmetto on Sunday. Korn Ferry Tour champion. Major debut.

Justin Suh

Californian youngster who has great potential and knows Torrey Pines well. One of the most dangerous qualifiers in attendance.

Sahith Theegala

Californian who impressed at college, turning pro last year. Missed the cut in only previous Major.

Justin Thomas

The 2017 US PGA champion has underachieved in Majors since that Quail Hollow success, rarely threatening a follow-up. He missed the cut in the US PGA a month ago. Seven starts since winning the Players Championship have failed to yield a top-ten finish. Has not played the Farmers since missing the cut in 2015.

Justin Thomas has struggled to build on his Players successCredit: Sam Greenwood

Brendon Todd

The 35-year-old plodder has won three PGA Tour titles but never had a Major top-ten. Torrey Pines is brutally long for him.

Erik van Rooyen

South African qualifier. Missed cut on Torrey Pines debut in January, but tied eighth in the 2019 US PGA and has missed only one cut in seven Major starts.

Johannes Veerman

American who plies his trade on the European Tour (winless) came through the Dallas qualifier. Major debut.

Jhonattan Vegas

Venezuelan giant, a three-time PGA Tour champion, has made just five cuts in 13 Major starts, with zero top-20s. Tied third in the 2011 Farmers, though, and played well in the Palmetto Championship last week.

Jimmy Walker

The 42-year-old has struggled badly for fitness and form since winning the 2016 US PGA and he has missed four of his last five US Open cuts. Tied fourth in the 2016 Farmers, though, and was sixth in the Memorial last time out.

Matt Wallace

The Londoner, a four-time European Tour champ, is winless since the 2018 Made In Denmark. He has made the cut in the last eight Majors, finishing third in the 2019 US PGA. Torrey Pines debut.

Bubba Watson

Missed the cut by five shots in the 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines, but won the Farmers in 2011. The moody left-hander, a dual Masters champion, finished second-last of the weekend qualifiers in the US PGA a month ago, then withdrew from the Memorial when ten over par through 32 holes.

Kyle Westmoreland

Qualifier, 29, massively out of his depth.

Lee Westwood

The Worksop Wonder finished third in the 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines. Has not played in the Farmers since missing the cut in 2004. Form has dipped sharply since back-to-back runner-up finishes at Bay Hill and Sawgrass. Got married again last week. Major breakthrough aged 48 would be remarkable.

Bernd Wiesberger

Prolific European Tour champion who secured his eighth title at the end of last month. Has played in 26 Majors without posting a top-ten finish. Torrey debut.

Matthew Wolff

Back-to-back runner-up finishes in the US Open and the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open elevated the Californian to 12th in the world rankings in October, but he could soon slip outside of the top 50, reportedly suffering mentally through the pandemic and spectacularly losing his form. He has not teed up since missing the cut by nine shots alongside Collin Morikawa in the Zurich Classic pairs event almost two months ago.

Gary Woodland

The 2019 US Open champion has been generally disappointing over the last year, labouring with injuries and posting only three top-tens. He contended at Quail Hollow last month, though, and has a decent Farmers record.

Dylan Wu

Major debutant, 24, qualified in Maryland. Likely to react if he makes the cut by shouting: "Woo-hoo!".

Cameron Young

A 24-year-old bursting with form, having won two of his last four Korn Ferry Tour events, before winning the New York US Open qualifier. He missed the cut on his US Open debut in 2019, but 75 and 76 were respectable scores, and the weekend is on his radar this time.

Zach Zaback

Qualifier, 27, making Major debut. Don't back Zaback.

Will Zalatoris

The California-born 24-year-old seems a huge runner for home-state glory. He has finished sixth, second and eighth in the last three Majors, and he finished seventh in the Farmers at Torrey Pines in January. Almost a must for the staking plan.

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