McIlroy and DeChambeau in action: U.S. Open in sight, Ryder Cup at stake.

The US Open Prelude: Golf Stars Hone Their Game

A week before the US Open, the third major of the season, golf’s top players are preparing for the challenge at Oakmont Country Club, near Pittsburgh. Both PGA Tour and LIV Golf League players are looking to hone their skills in previous tournaments.

World number 2, Rory McIlroy, returns to the RBC Canadian Open, while the reigning US Open champion, Bryson DeChambeau, will compete in the LIV Golf League event in Gainesville, Virginia.

“We are trying to achieve feats that haven’t been accomplished in a long time, and repeating would be great. Three in a row would be an even better achievement, so it’s on my mind,” commented DeChambeau.

Bryson DeChambeau

RBC Canadian Open: A Key Event for McIlroy

The RBC Canadian Open, held from Thursday to Sunday at the TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley (North Course) in Caledon, Ontario, is the setting for Rory McIlroy’s return. Defending champion is Robert MacIntyre, and the tournament offers a prize purse of $9.8 million.

McIlroy, after missing the Memorial Tournament, will seek his third title at the Canadian Open, following his victories in 2019 and 2022. If he achieves it, he would join a select group of three-time champions, alongside Tommy Armour, Sam Snead, and Lee Trevino.

The date change of the Canadian Open, which now precedes the US Open, is favorable for McIlroy.

“I love that it’s the week before the US Open. Since I play the Canadian Open the week before, I’ve had six consecutive top-10 finishes, so there’s something there,” said McIlroy.

Rory McIlroy

After completing the Grand Slam with his victory at the Masters, McIlroy has acknowledged that the daily work on the practice range can be more demanding than before.

“The last two weeks have helped me reset, to clear my mind and define my goals,” he added.

Rory McIlroy

Scottie Scheffler Secures His Spot in the Ryder Cup

Scottie Scheffler, world number 1, became the first golfer to secure a spot on the U.S. team for the Ryder Cup, which will be held at the Bethpage Black Course in Farmingdale, New York, from September 26 to 28.

Scheffler has accumulated 25,918.25 Ryder Cup points, more than double any other player. Xander Schauffele is in second place with 11,905.84 points.

“Scottie continues to demonstrate why he is the number 1 in the world, showing incredible consistency and dominance week after week. He is the ultimate team player and I have no doubt that he will be ready and motivated in September,” stated Keegan Bradley, captain of the American team.

Keegan Bradley

The six best eligible golfers after the BMW Championship on August 17, 2025, will be part of the team. Bradley will also make six captain’s picks.

This will be Scheffler’s third appearance in the Ryder Cup. In the 2023 edition, the American team lost 16½-11½ at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, and in 2021, at Whistling Straits, Wisconsin, they achieved a 19-9 victory, where Scheffler had a 2-0-1 record.

“Representing the United States in the Ryder Cup has been one of the greatest honors of my career, and I look forward to doing so for a third time this September. I will do whatever it takes to help our team regain the Cup and I can’t wait to play in front of the passionate New York spectators at Bethpage Black,” said Scheffler.

Scottie Scheffler

Professional debut for Luke Clanton

At the RBC Canadian Open, three golfers will make their professional debut: Luke Clanton, Gordon Sargent, and David Ford. Expectations are high for Clanton, a former Florida State star, who was twice a runner-up on the PGA Tour as an amateur last year.

Clanton tied for 15th at the Farmers Insurance Open and 18th at the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches this year.

“It’s incredible. It’s something you always dream of. Being here and calling myself a professional is a bit strange, since I’ve always been an amateur. I’m excited to compete,” commented Clanton.

Luke Clanton

Clanton, who was the world amateur number 1 before turning professional this week, will play the first two rounds with McIlroy and Ludvig Åberg.

Clanton also thanked his parents for their support.

Clanton, known for his great distance from the tee, averaging 312.4 yards, claims that his “strong mentality” is one of his best attributes.

When asked if the LIV Golf League tried to recruit him, Clanton replied: “I want to play on the PGA Tour, it’s simple. I want to compete against the best, I want to compete in majors, and that’s all.”

LIV Golf Virginia: DeChambeau and Niemann in Action

Meanwhile, the LIV Golf League also holds its tournament in Virginia, where Bryson DeChambeau seeks to continue accumulating successes.

Joaquin Niemann, captain of Torque GC, hopes to maintain his good form after his eighth-place finish at the PGA Championship.

The Saudi circuit has been the scene of important victories for Niemann, earning him praise from Phil Mickelson, who considers him one of the best golfers in the world.

“I think because LIV is new, they don’t realize the field and the strength of it, and the players you’re playing against are the same top players over and over again. Joaco is winning and playing every week [against] Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, and Dustin Johnson and these guys. He’s playing against that same level of competition every week, and it’s hard to really grasp that and how great it is when it’s new,” Mickelson said.

Getting Ready for Oakmont

Mickelson, Niemann, and other LIV Golf players believe that this week’s course at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, which has hosted several Presidents Cups and the 2024 Solheim Cup, is a suitable test for next week’s US Open.

“We have greens that roll at 14 or 15 on the stimpmeter, like the ones we’ll have next week. We have contours, undulations, like next week. Short game, touch, chipping around the greens, rough, speed, lag and speed drills and touch on the greens, all that is fundamental here, the same as next week. It couldn’t be a better place to prepare,” Mickelson commented.

Phil Mickelson

The last time the US Open was played at Oakmont, in 2016, Dustin Johnson won with a score of 4 under par, and only four golfers finished under par.

“It’s going to be difficult. I know it will be a good challenge. The greens are going to fly, so I feel like there won’t be many 5 or 6-foot putts for birdie. I feel like it will be a lot where you position your ball to have an uphill putt, which will be easier. They want to win over par, so in the end it’s not who makes the most birdies, I feel like it’s who makes the fewest bogeys and the fewest mistakes,” concluded Niemann.

Joaquín Niemann