Rory McIlroy ready for dangers at Chambers Bay

Rory McIlroy will begin his bid for a second US Open title this afternoon determined to separate the men from the boys on a course at Chambers Bay he believes will severely punish poor play.

The tidal, saltwater shores of Puget Sound in America’s Pacific Northwest are home to what many, including McIlroy, believes is a pure links challenge on a par with an Open Championship rather than anything the US Open has offered previously.

That has generated plenty of controversy from golfers and pundits alike who prefer the annual grind provided by the USGA to be manicured, green and altogether more straightforward than this decidedly browned, firm and fast layout with seemingly infinite variations in set-up at the disposal of the championship organisers.