Look: Scheffler, McIlroy, Rahm, Zalatoris, Smith and Mickelson in contention for US Open 2022

Scottie Scheffler: The No. 1 ranked player in the world comes to The Country Club as the safest bet to win or be in contention late Sunday afternoon.

Jon Rahm: Has enjoyed plenty of success at the U.S. Open in recent years, including a first-place finish in 2021 for his first major championship, as well as a T-3rd finish in 2019. If he wins at The Country Club, Rahm will become the eighth golfer in the history of the U.S. Open to defend his crown.

Will Zalatoris: Has enjoyed a rollercoaster last two months. Over his last six tournaments, he has missed the cut twice and finished top 10 in the other four events, including a runner-up finish (via playoff) at the PGA Championship last month. He also finished T-6th at the Masters in April. Overall, the 25-year-old has six top 10 finishes in 2022.

Cameron Smith: Is among the golfers with zero major championship triumphs who could finally break through this weekend. The 28-year-old has five top 10 finishes in majors in his career, including a T-3rd showing at The Masters in April. He also finished T-13th at the PGA Championship in May.

Rory McIlroy: Will enter the 2022 U.S. Open coming off a victory at the RBC Canadian Open. The win was McIlroy's 21st on the PGA Tour meaning he now has one more PGA Tour win than Greg Norman's 20.

Matt Fitzpatrick: The 27-year-old from Sheffield arrives in Boston seeking his first major title. He had an impressive first round on his way to a top-10 finish at last week's Canadian Open. In his most recent major appearance, at last month's US PGA Championship, Fitzpatrick was in the final pairing on the last day for the first time in his career. An untidy closing 73 meant he missed the play-off, which was won by Justin Thomas.

Phil Mickelson: Is fresh off a T-33 finish in the inaugural 48-player LIV Golf event in London where he shot 10 over for the tournament.

Justin Thomas: Is a big hitter whose accuracy separates him from the pack. That makes him the type of player who should find success in Brookline.

Shane Lowry: Is one of the steadiest players on the PGA Tour this season and has finished no lower than 32nd in a tournament since January. He has logged four top-10 finishes including three within the top three. He hasn't won yet, so he could be due on a course that highlights his top-two scrambling ability and his top-10 approach game.

Sam Burns: He's a bit of a wild card considering that his scrambling percentage ranks 59th on the tour of 204 qualified players. That said, he ranks top-five in GIR percentage and approach game, so he will be more likely than most to land on the small greens at The Country Club.

Sungjae Im: It's hard to find a much better sleeper. His approach game doesn't look great at a glance — he is ranked 64th in SG:APP — but that number is a bit misleading. He is one of the tour's best around the green and owns top-five marks in SG:ARG and scrambling, so even if he is a bit off on his approach, he can recover from it like few others can.

Aaron Wise: Has played well of late and finished second at The Memorial Tournament in early June. He has four top-10 finishes on the season and has finished 23rd or better in four of his last five events.