Action! The scene is set for another major drama

US Open set to become a box-office smash at Los Angeles Country Club

By Matt Smith

MAJOR SEASON is in full swing following a thrilling PGA Championship where Brooks Koepka confirmed his return to full fitness and with a restored confidence after two years of frustration and internal conflict over his game.

All roads now lead to LA and the Los Angeles Country Club — right next to Hollywood, where so many dreams have been born and broken. The famous old club is preparing to host the US Open for the first time in its history from June 15-18.

The one and only time the US Open was previously held in Tinseltown was 75 years ago at the Riviera — and saw the creation of one of golf’s greatest storylines as Ben Hogan claimed his first major.

Rough, tough and very, very long, like Oak Hill the LACC set-up will not be for the faint-hearted. So it is no surprise that some familiar faces are being touted for the season’s third major. The passthe-parcel world No. 1s Scottie Scheffler and Jon Rahm will fancy their chances, while nine-yearitch Rory McIlroy will go once again in search of an elusive fifth major. Don’t be surprised to see Koepka up there once again, and the likes of Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa, Cameron Smith, Justin Thomas and PGA runner-up Viktor Hovland should not be too far away either.

Following on from Michael Block’s Hollywoodstyle heroics at the PGA Championship, it’s time to sit back, grab the popcorn and see who scripts the win in LA.

As expected, there will be no Tiger Woods teeing it up for the 123rd iteration of the famous tournament he has won three times, but one familiar face will be there having gone the hard way round. Sergio Garcia Monday-qualified in Dallas in late May to make the field as the 2017 Masters champ was no longer exempt. As thrilling as it was, it felt like there was something missing at the PGA Championship. It was the first major since 1999 that the diminutive Spaniard was not in the field when fit (he had to skip the 2020 Masters due to a positive Covid-19 test). Garcia shot consecutive rounds of 66 at Bent Tree Country Club and Northwood Club to tie for fourth place and book his spot at the US Open — and it will be great to see him at the highest level once again in LA.

But back to Brooks. He has a bit of a thing for New York and his two-shot victory at Oak Hill was the third major he has won in the state. As he heads to LA, he is now the third active golfer to have five majors. The other two? Not-so-young pups Tiger and Phil Mickelson.

Koepka’s success at Oak Hill last month was no fluke — as his second-placed finish at the Masters backs up — and the 33-year-old now five-time major champ had been plotting his assault on the 2023 majors all the way back at the start of the year.

Koepka showed remarkable astuteness and confidence while competing at the PIF Saudi International at the beginning of February outside Jeddah and discussing his hopes for the season.

While he only managed a three-under total for a tie of 46th place, 16 strokes behind winner Abraham Ancer at King Abdullah Economic City, the American knew his game was just where he wanted it to be as he geared up for a big season now he was back to full fitness.

“I usually get off to a slow start and I am just trying to play some rounds and shake off the rust from the winter break,” he told me. “I normally don’t really get going, where I feel like I am firing on all cylinders, until March, so I am just getting some rounds under my belt. I will be ready to kick it into gear ahead of the Masters. Nothing has changed and I plan my year around the majors and will make sure I am playing well for those.” editor-in-chief Obaid Humaid Al Tayer managing partner & group editor

As I said, fairly astute!

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