Event of the Day: US Open Golf Day 1

Our event of the day is Day 1 of the US Open as golf’s third major of the season gets underway at the famous Pebble Beach Course in California. This tournament is synonymous with sporting greatness, with many brandishing it the toughest test in golf. There will be 156 of the world’s greatest talents testing themselves at Pebble Beach this weekend in what will be the 119th edition of this historic competition. Not only are the 156 competing for the prestigious trophy, but the winner will take home a record $2.25 million from the $12.5 million purse, which ranks the highest amongst all of golf’s majors. As he often is heading into the biggest tournaments, Rory McIlroy is favourite to go all the way and lift the title alongside American Dustin Johnson. McIlroy goes into the US Open on the back of his win north of the border last week, taking home the Canadian Open title and a cool $1.3 million to boot. Though the Northern Irishman has been playing some scintillating golf this year, he has notoriously struggled at the US Open in recent outings, failing to make the cut in each of the last three editions. He will be hoping to summon up the spirit of 2011 (when he last the US Open) as he goes in search of his fifth major win and second title in this famous tournament. After becoming just the seventh player to successfully defend his US Open title, Brooks Koepka won’t be far from the conversation when discussing potential winners this weekend. Should he manage to pull of the unthinkable, Koepka will become just the second player to win three US Open titles in a row, after Willie Anderson achieved the feat between 1903-05.

If you are looking to back the in-form player, then Koepka is your one to watch, with the American having won four of golf’s last nine majors. Going into the tournament, we must mention two of the game’s legends as Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson have very different incentives to lift the title on Sunday. For Tiger, he is the only three-time winner in this year’s field and is looking to join an exclusive club of just four players to have lifted the title four times. Meanwhile, Mickelson is looking to complete a career Grand Slam by winning an elusive US Open, having finished runner-up a record six times, most recently in 2013. Moreover, the left-handed craftsman turns 49 on Sunday and what better way to celebrate the landmark than with a win at Pebble Beach. We are set for four fantastic days of golf on a spectacular course.

Honourable mentions around the globe go to the NBA where Game 6 of the Finals series between the Golden State Warriors and the Toronto Raptors will take place at the Oracle Arena. Golden State’s Game 5 win was largely overshadowed by Kevin Durant’s injury sustained in the second quarter, meaning he will play no further part in the series as his Warriors side gun for their fourth title in five years. Other honourable mentions go to the Cricket World Cup as Game 18 between India and New Zealand gets underway. Something has to give today as the competition’s two remaining undefeated sides go head to head at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. The Diamond League Athletics Bislett Games get underway in Oslo. This prestigious meeting will see a congregation of some of the world’s most elite athletes as they compete in various track and field events at the famous Bislett Stadium. Elsewhere, there is a heavyweight clash in the Super League as Castleford Tigers host Hull FC at Mend-A-Hose Jungle. The Women’s World Cup continues today where Brazil will look to extend their perfect start as they meet Australia at the Stade de la Mosson. There is also a heavyweight clash in the MLB to watch out for as the Los Angeles Dodgers face the Chicago Cubs at Dodger Stadium. Finally, in the AFL, the Adelaide Crows will go in search of their third straight win as they welcome Richmond to the Adelaide Oval. 

Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!

Fixture

Photos by US Open Golf

 

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