Can Dustin top off golden spell with some silverware?

DUSTIN JOHNSON

It is impossible not to include the World No.1, given his imperious run of form.

In his last eight tournaments, he has won twice and been runner-up twice, as well as claiming the Fed-Ex Cup last Monday.

He has held the lead after 54 holes in his last four events, the first man to do so since Tiger Woods in 1999, so he knows how to get into position.

However, majors define careers and the 36-year-old from South Carolina is far better than just his one US Open title, won in 2016.

A second at Winged Foot would cap a golden spell.

PHIL MICKELSON

Over the last 25 years, arguably no one has mastered US Open golf better than him.

But rather than a bunch of titles, he has a record six runners-up finishes to his name.

It’s the one major he needs to complete his Grand Slam, and, at 50, he would become the oldest-ever winner of one of the game’s four biggest events.

Mickelson enjoyed a four-shot win on his PGA Tour Champions debut last month, and that success could give him the confidence to contend at Winged Foot, where a par on the 18th in 2006 would have been enough for victory.

XANDER SCHAUFFELE

Dustin Johnson claimed the Tour Championship, but Schauffele was the lowest scorer over the 72 holes at East Lake.

The 26-year-old is a tenacious competitor, and he has shown he knows how to compete in the majors.

Schauffele has finished second at both The Masters and The Open, while he has never finished lower than sixth in his three US Opens.

It would not be a surprise to see the San Diego golfer in the mix on the back nine next Sunday.

MARTIN KAYMER

It’s been a long time since the German was competing in the game’s upper echelons.

He has not won a tournament since his US Open triumph at Pinehurst six years ago.

But he comes into this one, having had a chance to win each of his last two European Tour events.

True, he made costly errors on the 17th at The Belfry and the 18th at Valderrama when in contention, but it was refreshing to see him playing well after struggling for so long.

A two-time major winner, former World No. 1 and the man whose putt completed the “Miracle at Medinah” in the Ryder Cup, his credentials are not in doubt.

TYRRELL HATTON

There will be a healthy British contingent in New York, including three Scots in Bob MacIntyre, Connor Syme and Sandy Scott.

But perhaps the best placed to challenge is Englishman Tyrrell Hatton.

Not one to hog the limelight, his golf does the talking and he has enjoyed a fine season on the PGA Tour, finishing seventh in the final Fed-Ex Cup standings.

His victory in demanding conditions at Bay Hill back in March – his first in America – showed he could succeed when pars were at a premium, something likely to be the case again at Winged Foot.