In recent years, the USGA has suffered from an identity complex. It tries to protect par and live up to its reputation as golf’s toughest test.

Hazeltine hosted the last Ryder Cup in 2016 when the United States lifted the trophy for the first time since 2008.

Shane Lowry is looking forward to a return to the type of US Open courses which produce "carnage" after the experiment with two new venues in the last three years.

Darren Clarke never had the patience to handle the US Open but even though he’ll be behind a microphone for FOX Sports this week the big Irishman is fascinated by the challenge that lies in store.

Ernie Els believes he has holed his last putt at Augusta National but last night he backed Rory McIlroy to do what he failed to and win the Masters.

R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers insists the organisation should "stay out of politics" after revealing its relationship with Turnberry owner Donald Trump has not changed since he became US President.

Challenge Tour duo Kevin Phelan and Gavin Moynihan are hoping to take advantage of their precision and short game prowess when they enjoy “home” advantage in the €180,000 Volopa Irish Challenge hosted by Mount Wolseley Hotel Spa and Golf Resort next month.

It was suggested to Ernie Els that the US Golf Association should make Oakmont Country Club its marquee US Open venue and provide the sort of reverence that the R&A extends to the Old Course in St Andrews.

Whoever lifts the US Open trophy in Pittsburgh this weekend, he will need to be a man of steel in the nerves department to triumph in a city once described as “hell with the lid taken off.”

It has been a long time since I have so eagerly anticipated the start of a major championship — especially the US Open.

Renowned for his short-game prowess, Phil Mickelson sometimes does his best scoring with his biting perspective and cunning wit.

Before a ball was hit in the final round of the US Masters, the tournament was already a huge success, with the emergence of a true American superstar in Jordan Spieth. 

He might have lost his European Tour card but Waterford’s Kevin Phelan is feeling so good about himself after a strong finish to his rookie season that he can’t wait to get to the European Tour Qualifying School.

Full House as Fota tops BMW PGA

Pinehurst is a perfect example of a thinking man’s course.

Graeme McDowell is digging in for another hard slog at the US Open as the 2010 champion prepares to par Pinehurst No. 2 "to death", starting tomorrow.

Professional golfers quite rightly dedicate plenty of time to practice in the lead up to majors but as the US Open approaches they would be advised to have a quick refresh of the local rules.

Experience is everything in a US Open, which is why Pádraig Harrington is a sneaky outside bet to consign his five-year major drought to history and become the third Irish winner in four years.

Just over five years ago, no Irish golfer had won a major since Fred Daly in the 1947 Open, but how times have changed.

When Johnny Miller closed with a record-breaking 63 to win the 1973 US Open at Oakmont, the fallout was horrific.

Tiger Woods expects to face a confident Rory McIlroy when he bids to edge closer to Jack Nicklaus’s record and challenge for a fourth US Open and 15th Major title at the Olympic Club this week.

Rory McIlroy made winning the US Open last year look pretty easy but the defending champion knows this year’s championship course will not be set up with a view to further record breaking.

England's Luke Donald is on course to retain his BMW PGA Championship title – and to return to world number one – after a nightmare day for overnight leader James Morrison in front of family and friends at Wentworth.

Reigning USPGA champion Keegan Bradley, who has never played a professional tournament in Europe, has entered next month’s Irish Open at Royal Portrush.

As another second Sunday in April transformed from warmth to cool, and majestic Georgia pines cast sprawling shadows, “Masters roars” crescendoed from one corner of Augusta National to the other and the thought occurred: will they ever again ring out for Tiger Woods?

Pádraig Harrington arrived at Augusta National clearly in an upbeat mood and boasting the best record in the Majors of any player in the past five years.

Ernie Els is urging Rory McIlroy to ignore the hype and do his own thing as he tees it up in the WGC-Accenture Match Play chasing a victory that could catapult him to world number one.

Rory McIlroy versus George Coetzee; Graeme McDowell facing YE Yang and Darren Clarke against Nick Watney.

Four years ago no Irish golfer had won a major since Fred Daly in the 1947 Open.

THE BBC were forced to apologise yesterday after co-commentator and former Ryder Cup captain Mark James suggested that, given Northern Ireland’s golfing purple patch, “maybe they will stop fighting each other”.

Four years ago no Irish golfer had won a major since Fred Daly in the 1947 Open, but how times have changed.

Fourteen years after Tiger Woods won his first major with a record score at The Masters, Rory McIlroy has done the same at the US Open.

Rory McIlroy was trying his best to make his runaway US Open victory sink in tonight.

PHIL MICKELSON will go into today’s opening round at Congressional Country Club believing he can win a fifth major in the championship he covets most.

WHEN one of your texting buddies is LeBron James and you decide to nip down to Haiti for UNICEF a week before a major championship it might be easy to conclude that focus may be an issue for Rory McIlroy ahead of his third US Open.

AT every step, the view of Augusta National Golf Club is surely unique, but you would be well advised to remember this: We are not talking Ingrid Bergman here.

JOHN BOYETTE’S soft, southern accent seems like the natural by-product of a life spent on either side of the Savannah River.

Last week it was Tiger Woods 18 over par. This week it was Colin Montgomerie - for two rounds, not four.

Graeme McDowell will begin his second round at the 110th US Open happy to have to recalibrate his scoring expectations for a challenge much stiffer than most weeks.