It's a big year for Rory McIlroy – it's always a big year for Rory McIlroy – but what about his friend and teammate SHANE LOWRY?
The Irishman might already be losing sleep over his return to Portrush in the Open Championship, but before then the US Open comes with meaning of its own. It was here at Oakmont, three years before his glorious triumph back home, that Lowry led a major championship for the first time before ultimately finishing second behind Dustin Johnson. Might he get his own back on the golf course in 2025?
Lowry remains among a small group of players who seem totally at ease in the four biggest events on the calendar. He knows how to prepare, he knows that typically demanding conditions will always play to his strengths, and at this point he's had a look at winning all four. Whether or not he ever doubles his tally who can say, but at 66/1 he's a big price for a major which will definitely suit.
Oakmont isn't the longest US Open venue but there's no denying the fact that length off the tee is enormously advantageous in this championship and has been for a decade. Just look at the list of champions: two for Brooks Koepka, two for Bryson DeChambeau, one each for Jon Rahm, Gary Woodland, Johnson and Wyndham Clark. Even Matt Fitzpatrick credited his Brookline performance to the gains he'd made off the tee.
This could be a great fit for Joaquin Niemann if he finds a way into the field and 40/1 Patrick Cantlay is undoubtedly on the generous side after a strong performance at Pinehurst, while at the head of the betting don't rule out a successful defence from Bryson DeChambeau. Koepka did it, Rahm looked for a time like he might, and DeChambeau himself was right in the mix for the 2021 US Open which Rahm eventually won.
Some might be tempted to try Johnson at 66s in the hope that he finds it within himself to relight the fire but that seems less and less likely with each passing month, so my only other selection is DAVIS THOMPSON at 150/1 and bigger.
This top talent in the making made his breakthrough in Illinois last summer shortly after a top-10 finish at Pinehurst. Since then he's continued to drive the ball to a very high standard and that club seems sure to power his climb up the rankings in 2025, with a Ryder Cup spot potentially on his radar.
At the moment he's 43rd in the world and therefore wouldn't be totally assured of a US Open place based on the rankings, with the cut-offs for qualification still months away, but that ninth place last year earns him a ticket back so we've no concerns as to his eligibility.
No doubt one of the brightest young talents on the PGA Tour, I have Thompson much closer to the likes of Akshay Bhatia and Sahith Theegala than some would and along with Nick Dunlap, Austin Eckroat and Maverick McNealy, expect to see these players making Keegan Bradley think long and hard about the final spots in his team for Bethpage.
Further support and information can be found at and .