2021 U.S. Open: Groups to Watch Thursday, Friday

The world’s best players head to Torrey Pines this week for the 2021 U.S. Open championship. With so many quality players in the field, there is no shortage of groups to watch this week.

Here at Pro Golf Now, we’re highlighting the top five groups to watch on Thursday and Friday.

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Brooks Koepka, Collin Morikawa, Justin Thomas (Thursday, 10:29 ET; Friday, 4:14 ET) – Koepka did not play well last week in South Carolina but tends to bring his best efforts in major championships. Morikawa won a major in California last year and will be in contention at this one as well. Thomas is just about due to win another major title and it could come as soon as Sunday.

Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose (Thursday, 4:36 ET; Friday, 10:51 ET) – After struggling early in 2021, DJ looked more like himself last week in South Carolina. He seems to be peaking at the right time. McIlroy, amazingly, has not won a major in seven years. He always seems to be among those mentioned as contenders and this week is no different. Rose won the U.S. Open in 2013 and that remains his only major championship title.

Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth, Will Zalatoris (Thursday, 4:25 ET; Friday, 10:40 ET) – Scheffler is having a nice second season on tour, including a tie for eighth at the PGA Championship this year. Spieth has been one of the best players on tour all season and seems ready to contend for a major title. Zalatoris has been as good as anyone in the last three majors, so seeing him contend should no longer be a surprise.

Max Homa, Phil Mickelson, Xander Schauffele (Thursday, 10:51 ET; Friday, 4:36 ET) – Homa has a win in California already this season but he has only made one cut in seven career starts in major championships. Mickelson is still riding high after winning the PGA Championship last month at age 50. The U.S. Open remains the one major that Lefty has never conquered. Schauffele seems to contend in every major and will eventually get one.

Marc Leishman, Jon Rahm, Patrick Reed (Thursday, 4:36 ET; Friday, 10:51 ET) – Leishman has never won a major but has finished in the top five in majors four times, including a T4 at the Masters earlier this year. Rahm is probably the best player to have never won a major. It’s just a matter of time before that happens. Reed’s only major title came at the 2018 Masters, but he won at Torrey Pines earlier this year, so expect him to be in the mix.