U.S. Open: Ranking the five best early-round pairings at Shinnecock

The U.S. Open is just days away, and the year’s second major boasts one of the strongest fields in golf. Here are the top five groups we can’t wait to watch.

The U.S. Open is known as the “toughest test in golf” for a reason. While I’m sure the USGA doesn’t mind having that catchphrase literally everywhere, it’s more than that. Sure, the course setups are often brutal, with rough so long you can’t even see your feet. What I’m more interested in, though, is the players that will be battling it out at Shinnecock Hills.

The USGA released their pairings for the first and second rounds of the 118th U.S. Open, and while there are certainly some fun ones (Andrew “Beef” Johnston will play alongside Daniel Berger – “Beef”…Berger. Get it?) the true featured groups are littered with superstar talent.

Here, I’m breaking down the five most entertaining groups we will see on Thursday and Friday. From the top players in the world rankings, to major international stars and veterans playing for potentially one last major, these storylines will carry through the week.

With each pairing, I’m taking a look at the potential each player has to win the tournament. That’s the most important factor for every player teeing it up, of course. But really, I’m as much a fan as everybody else, so this is also for pure entertainment value.

In other words, no disrespect to anybody who didn’t make this list. If you’re trying to sneak in a couple minutes (or hours) of incognito golf while you’re at work this week, though, you need to maximize your time.

Here’s how you do it, from the earliest tee times to the latest.