Defending champion: Wyndham Clark.
Last year: Wyndham Clark won his first major when he closed with an even-par 70 and held off Rory McIlroy to win by one shot at Los Angeles Country Club. Scottie Scheffler finished third. Clark seized control with a 3-wood on the par-5 14th to set up a two-putt birdie, and he capped it off with a two-putt par from 60 feet. In the first round, Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler set the U.S. record 10 minutes apart at 62.
U.S. Open champions at Pinehurst No. 2: Martin Kaymer (2014), Michael Campbell (2005), Payne Stewart (1999).
The odds ( BetMGM Sportsbook ): Scottie Scheffler (+400), Rory McIlroy (+1000, Xander Schauffele (+1200), Jon Rahm and Viktor Hovland (+1600).
Streaking Americans: Five different Americans have won the last five majors, the longest such streak in 40 years.
Tiger tales: Tiger Woods has gone 11 consecutive rounds in the majors without breaking par.
Grand Slam: Phil Mickelson needs to win the U.S. Open for the career Grand Slam. In his previous nine tries at the last leg, he has not finished better than a tie for 28th.
Return visit: Andy Ogletree won the 2019 U.S. Amateur at Pinehurst No. 2. He joined LIV Golf and made it into the U.S. Open as the leading Asian Tour player in the International Federation Ranking.
The veterans: Phil Mickelson and Matt Kuchar are the only players to compete in all four U.S. Opens at Pinehurst No. 2.
Key statistic: There are 117 sand bunkers at Pinehurst No. 2. There is one water hazard.
Noteworthy: The U.S. Open is the final event before the 60-man field for the Olympics is determined by the Official World Golf Ranking.
Quoteworthy: “It’s a tree-lined golf course without a tree in play.” — Jack Nicklaus on Pinehurst No. 2.
Television (all times EDT): Thursday, 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (USA Network), 5-8 p.m. (Peacock); Friday, 6:30 to 1 p.m. (Peacock), 1-7 p.m. (NBC), 7-8 p.m. (Peacock); Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon (USA Network), noon to 8 p.m. (NBC); Sunday, 9 a.m. to noon (USA Network), noon to 7 p.m. (NBC).
Next year: Oakmont Country Club.
AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf