McIlroy among world top three for US Open at Pinehurst

Rory McIlroy will tee it up alongside world number one Scottie Scheffler for the opening two rounds of this week’s US Open at Pinehurst No 2.

Current world number three, McIlroy, has been placed in the same group as tournament favourite Scheffler, as well as the second ranked Xander Schauffele.

Scheffler has already enjoyed major success this year, taking the green jacket at the Masters in April, while Schauffele is also arriving into the week off the back of his maiden major, having won the PGA Championship in May.

McIlroy has three wins to his name in 2024, however, his quest for a fifth major remains, having last won one of the big four back in 2014.

Scheffler has enjoyed success five times this year, taking The Players and the Arnold Palmer Invitational ahead of his Masters win, while following up with victories in the RBC Heritage and The Memorial last weekend.

Joining McIlroy in the field are fellow Irish golfers Seamus Power, Shane Lowry and Tom McKibbin, who is playing in his first major tournament.

The Holywood golfer will be first out, off the back tees, on Thursday morning, playing alongside Rico Hoey from the Philippines and Italy’s Matteo Manassero. The trio are out at 11.45am (Irish time).

Seamus Power follows McKibbin out the back nine, teeing off in the next group at 11.56am, and playing with Dean Burmester from South Africa and Japan’s Rikuya Hoshino.

McIlroy’s marquee group are among the afternoon starters, teeing off at 6.14pm, while Lowry is last of the Irish quartet to tee off, playing alongside fellow major winners Keegan Bradley and Martin Kaymer who are out at 6.47pm.

Tiger Woods (12.29pm) is also in the field this week and the 15-time major winner will play alongside compatriot Will Zalatoris and 2022 champion, Matt Fitzpatrick from England.

Reigning champion Wyndham Clark is out at 6.25pm, playing alongside Nick Dunlap and 2023 Open champion Brian Harman.