5 key talking points ahead of the 124th US Open

Here are some of the main talking points ahead of the year’s third major championship.

Wyndham Clark will defend his title when the 124th US Open is staged at Pinehurst from June 13-16.

Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the main talking points ahead of the year’s third major championship.

Can Bryson DeChambeau win a second US Open title?

A bulked-up DeChambeau used his newly-acquired strength and length to overpower Winged Foot in 2020, finishing six shots clear of the field and the only player under par. He has since slimmed down after being warned his diet was unhealthy but remains golf’s “Mad Scientist” who uses a single-plane swing and 3D-printed clubs, and proved a fan favourite in the US PGA as he chased down Xander Schauffele in a thrilling final round.

Will Tiger Woods justify his special exemption?

Can Scottie Scheffler regain his dominant form?

Screen grab taken from the Louisville Metropolitan Department of Corrections of Scottie Scheffler’s mugshot (Louisville Metropolitan Department of Corrections/PA)

What are the chances of a shock winner?

Ben Curtis kisses the Claret Jug after winning the 2003 Open Championship (Andrew Parsons/PA)

What kind of test will Pinehurst provide?

The third US Open played at Pinehurst’s No 2 course in 2014 was the first since the 2010 restoration by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, which stripped the course of its rough and returned it to its original Donald Ross design. Despite the absence of penal rough and narrow fairways associated with USGA events only three players finished under par, with runaway winner Martin Kaymer winning by eight shots.