MICKELSON WANTS HIS FILL

Phil Mickelson will bid for the third time to become just the sixth man to win all four golf Majors.

He has already won three Masters, one British Open and one US PGA Championship and has finished runner-up at the US Open a record six times.

The American, who turns 46 today, would also become the oldest US Open champion.

SPIETH AIMING FOR ENCORE

Jordan Spieth at just 22 is aiming to become the first player to retain the US Open crown since Curtis Strange in 1989.

Last year he became the youngest winner in 92 years, since Bobby Jones.

HISTORY BECKONS ELS

Ernie Els, who won the US Open, his first Major title, at Oakmont in 1994 could become at 46 the oldest man to win the tournament.

Hale Irwin became the oldest champion at the age of 45 when he defeated Mike Donald in a play-off at Medinah in 1990.

MATSUYAMA IN FINE FORM

Hideki Matsuyama could become the first player from Japan to win a Major and just the second Asian after Yang Yong Eun at the 2009 PGA Championship.

He has made three straight cuts at the US Open and has had a terrific year so far, winning the Phoenix Open in February.

HUNTING A BREAKTHROUGH

Rickie Fowler and Dustin Johnson are both trying to break through for a first Major win.

Fowler finished tied for second in the 2014 US Open but missed the cut last year at Chambers Bay, where Johnson three-putted the final hole and finished tied for second behind Spieth.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE