By Samuel Blatchford

PINEHURST, NC – The U.S Open Championship at Pinehurst Resort & CC (Pinehurst No. 2) in North Carolina kicks off on Thursday with some big names from LIV competing at the 124th installment.

UPDATE: Jon Rahm out due to foot injury. Alternate Sergio Garcia will make his 99th career major start.

Twelve LIV golfers will hit the links.

Cameron Smith, of Rippers GC, is exempt as he won the 2022 Open Championship.

The Qualifiers

David Puig, of Fireballs GC, and Dean Burmester, of Stingers GC, and Eugenio Chacarra of Fireballs GC, made it through “Golf’s Longest Day” to get a spot at the U.S Open:

Tyrell Hatton, of Legion XIII, qualified due to his Official World Golf Ranking of top 50.

Adrian Meronk, of Cleeks GC, qualified due to his ranking on the DP World Tour. Meronk has some momentum coming into Pinehurst. He placed second at the LIV Houston event. Cleeks GC won the team event in Houston.

Past champions in the field:

Bryson DeChambuea, of Crushers GC, was the U.S Open champion in 2020. He recently placed second at the PGA Championship last month.

Dustin Johnson , of 4Aces GC, won the tournament in 2016.

Martin Kaymer of Cleeks GC, won the tournament in 2014 at Pinehurst. Last week, Kaymer’s Cleeks GC won the Team event in Houston.

Brooks Koepka, of Smash GC, was the back-to-back champion in 2017 and 2018.

Jon Rahm, of Legion XIII GC, was the 2021 champion. Rahm had to retire due to a foot infection at the LIV Houston event. Hopefully he is ready to play on Thursday. Jon Rahm has withdrawn due to a foot injury.

Sergio Garcia, of Fireball GC, will make his 99th career majors start. Garcia’s best U.S Open finish came at Pinehurst in 2005.

Can Phil complete the grand slam?

Phil Mickelson, of HyFlyers GC, is looking to complete a career grand slam. He has already captured titles at The Masters (2004, 2006, 2020), The PGA Championship (2004, 2006, 2010), and The Open Championship (2013). All that is missing is a win at the U.S Open. Can he do it?