THE TOP AUSTRALIANS AND CONTENDERS AT THE US OPEN:
AUSTRALIANS:
Name: JASON DAY (Aus)
Age: 29
World Ranking: 3
Worldwide wins: 11
Best in a Major: Win (2015 PGA Championship)
US Opens Played: 6 (6 cuts made)
Best US Open: 2nd (2011, 2013)
Odds: $15
Why he can win: Day has four top-10 finishes in the past five US Opens, the most of any golfer in that span. Also has runner-up finishes in 2011 and 2013.
Why he might not: The knee-high primary rough at debutante venue Erin Hills. Ranked 145th this season for driving accuracy, his world-class short game won't be enough on its own.
Name: ADAM SCOTT (Aus)
Age: 36
World Ranking: 12
Worldwide wins: 26
Best in a Major: Win (2013 Masters)
US Opens Played: 15 (9 cuts made)
Best US Open: T4 (2015)
Odds: $31
Why he can win: Has top-10s in the two biggest events this year (Masters and Players Championship). Coming off a tie for 10th at last week's St Jude Classic.
Why he might not: Ball-striking. As one of the world's best ball-strikers, Scott's long game has been slightly off this season; he ranks 130th for driving accuracy and 36th for greens in regulation.
Name: MARC LEISHMAN (Aus)
Age: 33
World Ranking: 35
Worldwide wins: 3
Best in a Major: T2 (2015 British Open)
US Opens Played: 5 (2 cuts made).
Best US Open: T18 (2016)
Odds: $81
Why he can win: In career-best form. Has a victory (Arnold Palmer Invitational) among three top-10s and nine top-25s this season. Ranks 24th on the PGA Tour in strokes gained off the tee and 32nd in putting.
Why he might not: Leishman's form at US Open's past has been disappointing. He's made the cut just twice in five visits.
Name: WADE ORMSBY (Aus)
Age: 37
World Ranking: 452
Worldwide wins: 1
Best in a Major: debut
US Opens Played: 0
Best US Open: debut
Odds: $500
Why he can win: Is one of the European Tour's most consistent in driving accuracy and putting, ranking 55th and 36th, respectively.
Why he might not: After 16 years as a professional, the 2017 US Open is Ormsby's major championship debut. Experience is everything at the majors.
Name: NICK FLANAGAN (Aus)
Age: 33
World Ranking: 1927
Worldwide wins: 4 (Web.com Tour)
Best in a Major: 23 (2005 British Open)
US Opens Played: 1
Best US Open: missed cut (2004)
Odds: $1001
Why he can win: Rediscovered some of his best golf at last week's US Open qualifier. Takes a carefree attitude into the US Open, 13 years since he last played the event.
Why he might not: Has had a horror run of injuries, which has seen him play just two Web.com Tour events in the past two years. Hasn't played a major since the 2005 British Open.
TOP CONTENDERS:
Name: JORDAN SPIETH (USA)
Age: 23
World Ranking: 5
Worldwide wins: 11 (including) two Australian Opens
Best in a Major: Win (2015 Masters, 2015 US Open)
US Opens Played: 5 (4 cuts made)
Best US Open: Win (2015)
Odds: $13
Why he can win: The 2015 US Open and Masters winner is in hot form in 2017, bagging a victory, a second and a third place among six top-10s from 14 events this season.
Why he might not: The driver. Erin Hills measures 7,100 metres with brutal fescue rough. Spieth ranks 86th in driving distance and 123rd in driving accuracy. His US Open title defence ended with a disappointing 37th last year.
Name: RORY McILROY (NIR)
Age: 27
World Ranking: 2
Worldwide wins: 22
Best in a Major: 4 Wins (2011 US Open, 2012, 2014 PGA Championship; 2014 British Open)
US Opens Played: 8 (5 cuts made)
Best US Open: Win (2011)
Odds: $8
Why he can win: Has won the US Open before and as one of the longest hitters on tour can handle the 7,100-metre Erin Hills course. Has four top-10s from six events in 2017, including the Masters.
Why he might not: Injury. McIlroy missed three events after the Players Championship with the rib injury he suffered in January flaring up again. Might not have the necessary rounds under his belt.
Name: JON RAHM (ESP)
Age: 22
World Ranking: 10
Worldwide wins: 1
Best in a Major: T23 (2016 US Open, as an amateur)
US Opens Played: 1 (1 cut made)
Odds: $21
Why he can win - Jon Rahm has been one of the year's hottest golfers. His 2017 season includes a maiden US PGA Tour win, two runner-ups and a third place.
Why he might not - Experience. The 22-year-old has only played in three major championships.
Name: RICKIE FOWLER (USA)
Age: 28
World Ranking: 9
Worldwide wins: 7
Best in a Major: T2 (2014 US Open and British Open)
US Opens Played: 9 (8 cuts made)
Best US Open: T2 (2014)
Odds: $21
Why he can win - Fowler has been in superb form this year, with a win, a runner-up and a third place among five top-10s. Has a second place at the US Open to fuel the confidence.
Why he might not - Breaking through. Fowler has played 29 majors without lifting the trophy, including five top-five results.
Name: SERGIO GARCIA (ESP)
Age: 37
World Ranking: 7
Worldwide wins: 31
Best in a Major: Win (2017 Masters)
US Opens Played: 17 (15 cuts made)
Best US Open: T3 (2005)
Odds: $26
Why he can win - Confidence. Sergio Garcia broke through to win his first major at the Masters in April, after a series of agonisingly close calls.
Why he might not - Hunger. Since shedding the 'best player without a major' tag, the Spaniard hasn't finished inside the top-15 in his past three PGA Tour events.
Name: DUSTIN JOHNSON (USA)
Age: 32
World Ranking: 1
Worldwide wins: 15
Best in a Major: Win (2016 US Open)
US Opens Played: 9 (8 cuts made)
Best US Open: T2 (2015)
Odds: $17
Why he can win - He's the defending champion and world No.1. Johnson got the major monkey off his back at last year's US Open. Has added five victories since, including three WGCs.
Why he might not - Recent form. Since withdrawing injured from the Masters, DJ hasn't bagged a top-10 and missed the cut in his last start.
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