Magnanimous amid the mayhem, Scot’s grace in defeat at Oakmont stood out. But after his fourth top-ten finish at a major, he is now a genuine contender at biggest events

World No1 is shortest-priced favourite since Woods in 2009, but Jon Rahm has qualities to tame Oakmont and defending champion Bryson DeChambeau cannot be ignored

This year’s host is a mix of five-inch rough, troublesome bunkers and vicious greens — the world’s best will pay dearly for missing its narrow fairways

The 34-year-old, who lost his dad to cancer two months ago, qualified for major at course where he used to caddie in one of the game’s most remarkable stories

Chilean hailed by Phil Mickelson as the world’s best player arrives at Oakmont with six wins in 16 months — but knows his risk-taking has often been his undoing

A Porsche and parade followed the New Zealander’s 2005 triumph over Tiger Woods but — just like Rory McIlroy after his Masters win — he was left asking himself, ‘What next?’

Occasional cries of ‘get in the hole!’ can be heard on the course as contestants spend hours practising and reading up on angles and wind speed

Young amateur’s road to Oakmont, where his brother Max will caddie for him, is no everyday story for a player who, unapologetically, has no back-up plan as he aims for professional ranks

Our TV editor and golf addict James Jackson picks the finest scenes from the greens to mark the return of the US Open. Do you agree with his choices?

Northern Irishman, who has struggled for motivation since Masters win, says silence at Quail Hollow was in fear of ‘saying something I’d regret’ as Scottie Scheffler also had non-conforming driver