As we begin the countdown to the 2014 US Open Championship, europeantour.com's stats man Steve Doughty reveals his five players to watch at Pinehurst...
Jonas Blixt
· One of 11 European Tour Members making their US Open Championship debut.
· Is the man for the big occasion in recent Majors. In the three he has played, he was tied 26th in The Open Championship in 2013, fourth in the 2013 US PGA Championship and tied second in the 2014 Masters Tournament.
· Could become the first Swedish Major Champion.
Luke Donald
· Playing his 11th US Open Championship.
· Made his debut in this event here at Pinehurst No. 2 in 2005, finishing tied 18th. Although the course is longer now than nine years ago, the main attribute required here is a good game tee to green, for which the Englishman is renowned.
· Produced his best US Open Championship finish 12 months ago, when he was tied eighth. Was tied third on his last European Tour performance at the BMW PGA Championship.
· Trying to end his sequence of 43 winless Major Championships by becoming the second consecutive English winner, after Justin Rose.
Rory McIlroy
· The 2011 US Open Champion will be looking to add another Major to his collection and comes into the tournament in supreme form. His victory in the BMW PGA Championship was the highlight in a wonderfully consistent spring spell, which began with a tie for seventh in the Shell Houston Open followed by a career-best tied eighth finish at the Masters Tournament.
· He was also tied eighth at the Wells Fargo Championship and tied sixth at the Players Championship before his Wentworth triumph.
Francesco Molinari
· Has quietly been amassing some fine performances, with three top seven finishes in his last five appearances worldwide, including a tie for sixth at the Players Championship and tied seventh in the BMW PGA Championship.
· Very much like Luke Donald, his game is built around accuracy, a key factor in playing US Opens well. Could be a dark horse.
Henrik Stenson
· Having been crowned Race to Dubai and FedEx Cup Series champion in 2013, all that is missing from his glittering CV is a Major Championship.
· Has found consistency in recent Majors. He was second in The Open Championship and third in the US PGA Championsh last year. His 2014 form has been equally impressive. He was fourth in the 2014 Nedbank Golf Challenge and placed in the top seven on his last three outings. With Pinehurst No. 2, measuring more than 7,500 yards, his long, straight hitting could be an important factor.
