PENPIX FOR THE SEVEN AUSTRALIANS AND LEADING INTERNATIONAL CONTENDERS AT THE US OPEN AT LOS ANGELES COUNTRY CLUB:
CAMERON SMITH
Age: 29
World ranking: 9
Best result at a major: champion (2022 British Open)
US Opens played: 7 (4 cuts made)
Best US Open finish: T4 (2015)
After a slugglish start to 2023, the short-game king has clearly rediscovered his mojo. His record-equalling final-round nine-under-par 61 at LIV Golf Tulsa preceded a Sunday-best 65 and a top-10 finish at the PGA Championship. Thrives in the majors.
Odds: $23
JASON DAY
Age: 35
World ranking: 23
Best result at a major: champion (2015 US PGA)
US Opens played: 10 (8 cuts made)
Best US Open finishes: T2 (2011), 2nd (2013)
The two-time US Open runner-up's form is hard to gauge after going off the boil somewhat following a brilliant start to 2023. Missed the cut in three off his past four tournaments either side of breaking a five-year title drought at the AT&T Byron Nelson Championship.
Odds: $36
ADAM SCOTT
Age: 42
World ranking: 37
Best result at a major: champion (2013 Masters)
US Opens played: 21 (13 cuts made)
Best US Open finish: T4 (2005)
The former world No.1 remains driven to win an elusive second career major and arrives in LA - a happy hunting ground where he's won twice - in promising form fresh off three top-10s in his past four starts.
Odds: $51
CAM DAVIS
Age: 28
World ranking: 53
Best result at a major: T4 (2023 PGA Championship)
US Opens played: none
Best US Open finish: on debut
Odds: $126
The former Australian Open champion seems to enjoy the bigger stages and sauntered home at last month's PGA Championship to record his best major finish yet. Was also sixth at this year's Players Championship.
LUCAS HERBERT
Age: 27
World ranking: 55
Best result at a major: T13 (2022 PGA Championship)
US Opens played: 3 (1 cut made)
Best US Open finish: T31 (2020)
The Bendigo talent claimed a third DP World Tour in Japan before missing the cut in his past two PGA Tour events. Yet to contend at a major but it seems only a matter of time.
$151
MIN WOO LEE
Age: 24
World ranking: 65
Best result at a major: T14 (2022 Masters)
US Opens played: 1 (1 cut made)
Best US Open finish: T27 (2022)
The other half of golf's greatest sister-brother act is another young gun who lives for the big events, as proven with a tie for 18th at the PGA Championship, the second major of the year. Now bidding to join his dual major-winning sister Minjee as a US Open champion.
Odds: $176
KARL VILIPS
Age: 21
World ranking: unranked
Best result at a major: on debut
The 21-year-old amateur - dubbed "Koala Karl" - was the only Australian to earn one of the 45 spots on offer to the 645 players who teed it up in US Open Final Qualifying. The US college star is a Stanford alumni like Tiger Woods and has Jason Day's former coach and caddy Col Swatton carrying his bag.
Betting: $1001
LEADING INTERNATIONAL CONTENDERS:
SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER (USA)
Age: 26
World ranking: 1
Best result in a major: champion (2022 Masters)
US Opens played: 5 (3 cuts made)
Best US Open finish: T2 (2022)
Tied for second at last month's PGA Championship, the phenomenally consistent world No.1 has posted 15 top-12 finishes from his past 16 starts, hasn't finished worst than fifth in his last four events and was joint runner-up last year. Always in contention down the stretch.
Odds: $7
JON RAHM (ESP)
Age: 28
World ranking: 2
Best results at the majors: champion (2021 US Open, 2023 Masters)
US Opens played: 7 (5 cuts made)
Best US Open finish: champion (2021)
With six wins in the past seven months, including a second major, the Spaniard has been nothing short of prolific. His US Open victory two years ago proves he can overcome the toughest conditions in golf and tame any course.
Odds: $8.50
BROOKS KOEPKA (USA)
Age: 33
World ranking: 13
Best results at the majors: champion (2017, 2018 US Open; 2018, 2019, 2023 US PGA)
US Opens played: 9 (8 cuts made)
Best US Open finishes: champion (2017, 2018)
Finally back to full fitness after career-saving knee surgery, the former world No.1 is fast becoming golf's dominant force once again. Second at the Masters, triumphant at the PGA Championship and boasting an incredible US Open record featuring a runner-up and two fourths in addition to his pair of victories.
Odds: $10
