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Oakmont - Here are the the top contenders for the 2016 US Open that starts on Thursday at Oakmont:
JASON DAY (AUS)
Age - 28
World ranking: 1
Major titles: 1 (2015 US PGA Championship)
-- Day has tightened his grip on the world number one ranking this year with some superb play, winning back-to-back at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the WGC Matchplay before a wire-to-wire triumph in The Players Championship. Has placed in the top 10 in four out of the last five US Opens, including twice for runner-up.
JORDAN SPIETH (USA)
Age - 22
World ranking - 2
Major titles: 2 (2015 Masters, US Open)
-- Became the youngest US Open winner in 92 years at Chambers Bay last year, having won the Masters two months earlier. Almost took the British Open a month later. Form has been patchy this year, marked by his dramatic back nine collapse on the final day of the Masters while leading by five strokes.
RORY MCILROY (NIR)
Age - 27
World ranking - 3
Major titles: 4 (2011 US Open, 2014 British Open, 2012 and 2014 US PGA Championship
-- Won his first tournament of the year at the Irish Open last month and has shown good form of late in the United States with a run of top 10 finishes. After much consideration opted to play for Ireland instead of Britain at the Rio Olympics.
BUBBA WATSON (USA)
Age - 37
World ranking - 4
Major titles: 2 (2012, 2014 Masters)
-- Won at the Northern Trust Open early in the season, and finished second next time out at the WGC-Cadillac, but has struggled for form since then. Has failed to perform at the US Open previously missing the cut in three out of the last four years, but the course is helpful to big hitters.
DUSTIN JOHNSON (USA)
Age - 31
World ranking - 6
Major titles: 0
-- Three putted at the 18th at Chambers Bay last year to hand the US Open title to Jordan Spieth, just the latest of a long list of near misses at the majors for Johnson. No wins to his name so far this year, but has been in fine form of late and his big hitting is ideally suited for Oakmont.
PHIL MICKELSON (USA)
Age - 46
World ranking - 17
Major titles: 5 (2004, 2006, 2010 Masters, 2013 British Open, 2005 US PGA Championship
-- Always a focus of attention at the US Open due to his record six runner-up finishes and his drive to become just the sixth player to win all for major titles. Has blown hot and cold this year under new coach Andrew Getson and has failed to end his winless drought dating back to the 2013 British Open.
DANNY WILLETT (ENG)
Age - 28
World ranking - 9
Major titles: 1 (2016 Masters)
-- Hurtled up the world rankings in the last 18 months culminating in his superb final round to win the Masters in April. Since then he has played just three tournaments, missing the cut in the Players Championship and placing third in the Irish Open last time out. Tied for sixth at Chambers Bay last year.
RICKIE FOWLER (USA)
Age - 27
World ranking - 5
Major titles: 0
-- Needs a major title to keep up the pace with peers Day, Spieth and McIlroy, Fowler tied for second two years ago at Pinehurst. Had good start to the season with a win in Abu Dhabi and a runner-up finish in Phoenix, but missed the cut in his last two outings.
