Rory McIlroy embracing World Cup football as 'good distraction' in week of US Open major bid - plus spotlight on contenders

The tournament is providing a welcome distraction for world number two, who is looking to win his second US Open title and second major title of the year at Shinnecock Hills on Long Island, New York.

“It’s a different World Cup. There’s a lot more teams in it. I wouldn’t necessarily be a fan of that, I think, but it means Scotland are in so I guess you’re happy about that,” he told his Scottish questioner. “I’ve followed it a little bit, it’s been interesting so far: Brazil and Morocco drawing, which obviously opens the door for Scotland to walk straight through to the knockout stages, which is great to see. Obviously Spain only drawing yesterday.

“It’s nice that it’s on, and especially this week, it’s a good distraction to be able to go back from the golf course and turn the football on and forget about the golf for a little bit.”

Here, the Press Association looks at some of the potential US Open contenders:

Rory McIlroy

The Northern Irishman appears to be peaking for the majors as his successful Masters defence was followed by his tie for seventh at Aronimink last month, two of his three top-seven finishes this season. However, the world number two will have to sort out his wayward driving which was in evidenced at both previous majors and last week’s Memorial Tournament. McIlroy is 125th in driving accuracy statistics on the PGA Tour and even with more generous-than-normal fairways at Shinnecock Hills, that will have to improve.

Scottie Scheffler

The world number one is chasing his first shot at the career grand slam, after last year adding the US PGA and Open Championship to his two Masters titles. His game is nowhere near its peak of the last couple of seasons but since finishing runner-up at Augusta he has had two more second places and a third, with joint-14th at the US PGA his worst result.

Jon Rahm

After a disappointing Masters, the Spaniard bounced back with joint-second at the US PGA. Rahm has the short game to get himself out of trouble around the notoriously-tricky US Open green complexes and as a former winner, knows exactly what it takes to win the war of attrition. Finished second place at LIV Golf Andalucia last week – his fourth runner-up spot in nine events, having also registered two wins.

Ludvig Aberg

The Swede is third in overall driving statistics (distance plus accuracy) on the PGA Tour this season and top-ranked when it comes to approaches from inside 200 yards but needs to improve his touch around and on the greens. Joint-fourth at the US PGA – one of six top-six finishes in 13 starts – points to consistency but has to find that killer instinct.

Cameron Young

The world number three has won twice already this season, one of which was the Players Championship, but has under-performed in recent majors with just two top-10s in the last nine. However, he scores high in all the key tour statistics for driving, approach play and scrambling this season with only his putting not quite up to scratch.

Justin Rose

In terms of major performances this year Rose has been, behind McIlroy, the most consistent with a joint-third at the Masters and a tie for 10th at the US PGA while, on a wider scale, he has finished top-10 in half of all majors played since 2024. Since winning in 2013, Rose has missed the US Open cut seven times – and five in the last six – and had only two top-10s but his game is more robust than it has been for some time.