5 PLAYERS TO WATCH:

DUSTIN JOHNSON (US)

Age: 32

World ranking: 1 Major titles: 1 (2016 US Open) After his breakthrough US Open win last year, Johnson seemed poised to take a stranglehold after scoring three PGA Tour victories in the buildup to the Masters which helped him ascend to the top of the world rankings. But a freak back injury on the eve of the opening round in Augusta derailed his serene progress. Nevertheless his big-hitting should ensure he is in contention.

RORY MCILROY (NIR)

Age: 28

World ranking: 2 Major titles: 4 (2011 US Open, 2014 British Open, 2012 and 2014 US PGA Championship

The Northern Irishman’s preparations for Erin Hills have been interrupted by a niggling rib and back injury which have curtailed his appearances on tour. McIlroy however is looking forward to returning to the Open, which was the scene of his maiden Major championship triumph in 2011.

JORDAN SPIETH (US)

Age: 23 World ranking: 6 Major titles: 2 (2015 Masters, US

Open)

Spieth became the youngest US Open winner at Chambers Bay in 2015, just two months after claiming the Masters. The young Texan also went close in the Open, but predictions of a Tiger Woods-style era of dominance proved premature. After a patchy 2016, he began 2017 with three top 10 finishes before his first win at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

JOHN RAHM (ESP)

Age: 22 World ranking: 10

Major titles: 0 The big-hitting Spaniard has made a smooth transition to the professional game after an amateur career that included a 60-week spell at world No 1. He signalled his talent at the US Open last year when he tied for 23rd place. His 2017 season began with a superb win at the Farmers Insurance Open, his first PGA Tour win. Also finished two behind Dustin Johnson at the WGC-Mexico Championship.

HIDEKI MATSUYAMA (JPN)

Age: 25 World ranking: 4

Major titles: 0 Matsuyama increasingly looks the likeliest bet to join South Korea’s Yang Yong-Eun as the only Asian-born man to win a Major. Had a mixed record in Majors in 2016, posting a seventh place finish at the Masters before missing the cuts at the US and British Opens. This season he retained the Waste Management Phoenix Open and performed solidly at Augusta with an 11th place finish. – AFP