US Open: 'Probably the toughest golf course', says DeChambeau as Scheffler chases back-to-back majors

Defending champion Bryson DeChambeau described Oakmont as 'probably the toughest golf course' he's ever played, as the US Open tees off on Thursday with world number one Scottie Scheffler aiming for back-to-back major titles.

Known for its unforgiving layout, treacherous greens and tricky bunkers, Oakmont is expected to test every aspect of a player's game.

"This is probably the toughest golf course in the world right now," DeChambeau, seeking his third US Open victory in six years, said.

Meanwhile, Scheffler arrives in top form after winning the PGA Championship and seeks to cement his dominance with another major triumph, making this one of the most anticipated tournaments of the year.

Scheffler is trying to become the first man to win consecutive majors since Jordan Spieth in 2015 by taking his first US Open title.

Scheffler highlighted the challenge posed by Oakmont's tall rough, remarking, “What’s so special about this place is that almost every time you miss the fairway, it’s extremely tough to get the ball onto the green.”

Scheffler, who claimed Olympic gold in Paris among his nine victories last year, enters the US Open in red-hot form, having won three of his last four starts.

Scheffler begins at 1:25 p.m. when he starts off the first tee alongside fourth-ranked American compatriot Collin Morikawa and Norway's Viktor Hovland.

Five-time major champion and world number two Rory McIlroy, who has shown signs of improvement after recent struggles with his driver, will tee off from the 10th at 7:40 a.m. alongside England’s Justin Rose and Ireland’s Shane Lowry.

McIlroy, representing Northern Ireland, has a shot at making history by becoming just the seventh player to win both the Masters and the US Open in the same year. He would join an elite group that includes Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Jordan Spieth, Arnold Palmer, Craig Wood, and Ben Hogan — legendary names in the sport’s rich history.