The 2025 US Open is just around the corner and is set to be held at the legendary Oakmont Country Club. Just like any other golf fan, I’m buzzing with excitement for one of golf’s most interesting and tough tournaments. Oakmont, hosting its tenth US Open, is popular for its brutal difficulty that challenges even the best players.
As the golf world descends on Oakmont, the anticipation is palpable. Will Scheffler solidify his reign, or will McIlroy reclaim US Open glory? Can DeChambeau make history with back-to-back titles, or will Johnson or Rahm rise to the occasion?
In this piece, I’ll be making a list of the top golfers I’ll be watching as they battle for glory on one of golf’s biggest stages. I’ll be selecting these players based on their recent performance, championship experience, and how likely it is that they’ll be able to tame this beast of a course.
#1 Scottie Scheffler
Scottie Scheffler is a household name who has held the world number one ranking for over 100 weeks. He has won seven PGA Tour titles in his career, including the Masters, the Players Championship, the Tour Championship, and four other signature events. Scottie also won the Olympic gold medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Aside from the official events he won, which I have mentioned above, Scottie also won the Hero World Challenge.
Scottie tops my list for his recent performance, and I expect him to keep that momentum till the US Opens. He was especially dominant in the 2024 season and even earned the title of the 2024 PGA Tour Player of the Year for the third consecutive time. His 2024 US Open was a rare misstep in my opinion; it was the first time in his career he completed all four rounds of a major over par.
For the number one gold player in the world, skill is out of the question. Scottie is an all-round player with phenomenal ball-striking, strong putting, and mental toughness. I expect him to give a world-class performance worthy of his title in the upcoming season.
#2 Xander Schauffele
Xander Schauffele has had exceptional form throughout last season, with an average score of 38-under par, showcasing his exceptional ability to maintain low scores across multiple rounds. He won two major championships in 2024, including the PGA Championship and The Open Championship. He even had multiple rounds of 62, tying the record for the lowest round in major history.
He thrives well on big stages, and he even finished six times in the top 10 spot in the US Open. His consistency in the US Open is unmatched among other non-winners. He seems a likely contender to win, because if I have learnt anything studying golf, it’s that success compounds. Schauffele has proven multiple times that his performance isn’t a fluke, but a result of experience built over the years.
His steady ball striking, mental toughness, and experience on tough courses like Erin Hills and Pebble Beach suggest he will most likely be able to handle the Oakland’s US Open challenging conditions. Schauffele’s mix of experience, consistency in the US Open events, and undeniable skill make him a prime contender.
#3 Bryson DeChambeau
Defending champion, Bryson DeChambeau, enters this season as one of the most dangerous and in-form players. Last season was a massive career highlight, with a win at the US Open. He was also runner-up at the 2024 PGA Championship and tied for sixth at the Masters. He finished with an impressive performance at almost every major event last season.
His performance in the LIV Golf League this year convinces me that he would be a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming US Open. He finished runner-up at the International Series event in India in February, and he recently finished second-place at the LIV Golf Mexico in April. With these stats, there really should be nothing stopping him, aside from the other exceptional players higher on my list.
To win again in the US Open this year would put him on the list of the greats, as only six golfers have been able to win the US Open back to back. However, this would not be the first time he would be making history, as he is one of the only three players in history to have won the NCAA individual Championship, the U.S. Amateur, and the US Open.
#4 Rory Mcllroy
Rory Mcllroy has always been one of my top picks for any major championship, and the US Open is no exception. I am undoubtedly sure he will give us an outstanding performance. He is entering this season in arguably the best form of his career. He completed his career grand slam with a win at the 2025 Masters, where he claimed his fifth major title. It is with this confidence and momentum that I expect him to head into the US Open.
McIlroy won the 2011 US Open at Congressional Country Club, where he set a tournament record of an eight-shot victory. Just last year, he got close to winning at Pinehurst but faltered on the closing holes in the final round and ended up as a runner-up to Bryson DeChambeau. Aside from winning the 2025 Masters, he also won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February and the Players Championship in March.
McIlroy has shown incredible form this season. With what I’ve seen watching his most recent plays, his game remains well-rounded, with incredible driving distance, iron play, and a more than capable putting touch. I also see him as one of the most experienced players for the upcoming championship and a top contender to watch out for.
#5 Dustin Johnson
Dustin is a golfer with a significant major championship pedigree. His most recent performances have been a little bit mixed. He missed the cut for the 2025 Masters, finishing at +3 over two rounds. Dustin also had another miss for the cut at the 2024 US Open and tied for 43rd at the 2024 PGA Championship. The results he has had in these major championships make me doubt his form.
However, Johnson’s form in LIV Golf events has been a lot more encouraging. For me, they renew my hope in him. He finished tied for seventh at LIV Golf Mexico in late April 2025 and tied for fifth at LIV Golf Singapore in March 2025. While I accept that the intensity of these competitions might be different from that of the major championships, these top 10 finishes can’t be overlooked as they serve as pointers that his game will still be capable of producing good results.
Dustin is also a two-time major champion, having won the 2016 US Open at Oakmont and the 2020 Masters. He is more than capable of performing well in the US Opens for many reasons, but his driving distance remains his most advantageous weapon that I know of. Although his recent performance does not compare with players like Mcllroy and DeChambeau, he remains a top contender in my books. If he can recapture the form that led him to previous major victories in time for the US Open, he would really serve as tough competition for opponents.
#6 Jon Rahm
Jon Rahm is a two-time major champion; he won the 2021 US Open at Torrey Pines and the 2023 Masters. More than anything, these records prove that Jon can contend on golf’s biggest stages. His 2021 US Open victory was quite exceptional as he had a clutch finish, with birdies on the final two holes to secure a one-stroke win.
Speaking about Jon’s recent form, I’d say it has been quite mixed. Even though he has been able to secure top 10 finishes on the LIV Golf circuit, he has not been able to secure a win in the entire 2025 season. He acknowledged this win drought and mentioned that he will clean up some small mistakes in his game ahead of the championships.
Even though Jon has had a challenging season, it would be wrong to ignore his powerful and accurate driving game, which will be crucial for navigating the upcoming US Open. As I see it, his strong performance in LIV Golf is an indication that he is very likely to be a strong contender, even though his performances in major championships have not been strong.
A Look Ahead: The Most Exciting Golfers to Follow at the US Open
The 2025 US Open at Oakmont Country Club will be a battle of golf’s titans. This showdown is set to pit golf’s biggest names against one of the toughest tests in the sport. Every player has a motive to bring their best game, with defending champion Bryson DeChambeau’s relentless drive, Rory riding off the high of his recent Master’s win, and Dustin’s Oakmont pedigree.
Even though some players are more motivated than others. One thing is certain, the 2025 US Open will be full of drama and skill, and it will be a clash where only the strongest will prevail. I’ll be watching to see which of these legends has enough tee-to-green precision and mental toughness to claim the title this time around.
Lucius Boehm
Lucius Boehm is a University of Auckland graduate with a degree in Sport, Health and Physical Education. He enjoys analysing sports trends and playing rugby in his spare time. Lucius has honed his expertise over 10 years in the gambling industry, earning a reputation as one of New Zealand’s top sports gambling specialists. He’s also a published author, with “Sports Betting Myths: Separating Fact from Fiction” offering expert insights to sport fans.