[US Open] 'PGA' McIlroy vs 'LIV' Johnson "Brooklyn Duel"... Mickelson's 'Career Slam'?

McIlroy Leads 'PGA Supporters', World No.1 Scheffler and No.2 Rahm Join, Johnson and Mickelson Say 'We Are LIV Golf'

Rory McIlroy took the lead as the 'PGA supporters' front runner' at the 122nd US Open, his third major of the season. Brooklyn, USA ? Getty Images / Multibits

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "Brooklyn Duel."

The 122nd US Open, the third major of this season, has heated up more than ever. Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) representing the 'PGA' and Dustin Johnson representing 'LIV' stood at the starting line. On the night of the 16th (Korean time), they will engage in a full-scale battle at The Country Club in Brooklyn, Massachusetts, USA (Par 70, 7,264 yards), staking the pride of their respective tours. Phil Mickelson (both from the USA) is aiming to become the sixth 'Career Grand Slammer' in global golf history.

▲ McIlroy 'Vanguard', Scheffler and Rahm "One-Two Punch Joins" = McIlroy secured his 21st career victory at the RBC Canadian Open, which ended on the 13th, completing a solid 'warm-up.' He belittled the first LIV Golf event held during the same period, saying "It's getting harder and harder to win on the PGA Tour," and even targeted Greg Norman (Australia), CEO of LIV Golf, who stopped at 20 career wins, saying "I now have one more win than anyone else."

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler (USA), No. 2 Jon Rahm (Spain), and 'PGA Championship champ' Justin Thomas (USA) are competing for the title, giving the 'PGA supporters' the upper hand for now. Scheffler, in particular, has reached four wins in his last 11 events and is awaiting the rare feat of becoming the sixth player ever to win both the Masters and the US Open in the same year. Rahm is aiming to 'defend his title,' and Thomas is also challenging the rare record of 'back-to-back major wins' following the PGA Championship.

Brooks Koepka is another strong contender. He is particularly strong in this tournament, having won consecutively in 2017 and 2018 and finishing second in 2019. Among his eight career wins, four are majors. He also added the rare record of back-to-back PGA Championship wins in 2018 and 2019. After disappearing from the spotlight following knee surgery in December 2020, he revived with a win at the Phoenix Open in February last year. Three-time winners Sam Burns and Jordan Spieth, along with Patrick Cantlay (all from the USA), are also eyeing their chances.

Dustin Johnson will represent 'LIV' at the 122nd US Open. Brooklyn, USA=Getty Images/Multibits

▲ Johnson 'Again 2016', Mickelson "A Long Way to US Open" = Johnson is the flagship star of LIV Golf, led by Saudi Arabia. He said it was a decision "for me and my family" and completely withdrew from the PGA. Although the PGA Tour imposed a suspension penalty, the United States Golf Association (USGA) allowed him to participate, including him in the entry list. He recalls the thrilling memory of finishing second in 2015 after a '3.7m three-putt bogey' on the 18th hole (Par 5) on the final day but succeeded in 'revenge' by winning in 2016.

It is interesting that Mickelson, unlike Johnson, maintains the position that he "does not want to leave the PGA Tour." The big news is that this tournament is the last puzzle piece on his way to becoming a 'Career Grand Slammer.' He collected three different majors over a long period of nine years: the Masters in 2004, the PGA Championship in 2005, and The Open in 2013, but stopped at runner-up six times in 1999, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2009, and 2013.

Korea is represented by 'Shriners Champ' Im Sung-jae (24), 'AT&T two-time consecutive winner' Lee Kyung-hoon (31), Kim Si-woo (27), and 'Asian Tour money leader' Kim Joo-hyung (20, CJ Logistics). Im Sung-jae had the misfortune of being caught by COVID-19 after returning from the Korean Professional Golf (KPGA) Korean Tour sub-sponsor Woori Financial Championship last month, which even prevented him from participating in the PGA Championship. Right after the practice round, he fired up his fighting spirit, saying, "It's a notoriously difficult course," and "strategic play is important."

Im Sung-jae (left) and Kim Joo-hyung are playing a practice round ahead of the 122nd US Open. Brooklyn, USA = Getty Images / Multibits

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.