Veteran Robert Allenby believes the major renovation at Pinehurst No.2 should benefit the big Australian contingent at the US Open.
Having missed the last five majors - his longest stretch without a start since 1991-92 when he'd just turned pro - 42-year-old qualifier Allenby is feeling little pressure and ready to enjoy sharing the experience with 14-year-old son Harry.
One of 11 Australians in the field, the Victorian is the only one who experienced the US Open at Pinehurst in 1999 and 2005.
While the course has been considerably revamped, with the rough taken out to restore the original natural sandy waste areas, the treacherous turtleback greens remain.
"I think it is an advantage as far as knowing the course itself but it is certainly a different beast," Allenby said.
"It's tough, it's not an easy course that's for sure. I think it helps knowing where to miss it so maybe that's the benefit of playing here before.
"It feels very much like home. It is just like playing in Australia, where the majority of the time you have to land it on the front edge and try to bounce it into the middle of the green.
"So it might give us Australians an advantage but you are probably also going to need a bit of luck."
In 1999 when Payne Stewart was victorious, Allenby finished in a tie for 46th and, when Kiwi Michael Campbell saluted in 2005, he missed the cut but the Victorian will approach his 15th US Open a little differently.
Having not played major championship golf since the 2012 PGA Championship, the 42-year-old is focusing hard on enjoying being back in the higher echelon.
"I've come from nearly quitting a few years back to getting back into the US Open so now it's just a matter of going out and playing golf and enjoying the game again," he said.
"It feels different to any major I have ever been to. It's nice to be back out here and I don't feel any pressure at all.
"It has a different feel and having Harry helps make it relaxed and fun and chill. It should be a good week and hopefully I play well."
World No.1 Adam Scott headlines the Australian tilt with two-time US Open runner up Jason Day, 2006 champion Geoff Ogilvy, John Senden, Matt Jones, Aaron Baddeley, Aron Price, Brady Watt, Rod Pampling and amateur Oliver Goss joining Allenby.
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