LIV stars return as 5 golfers fly SA flag at US Open

The 122nd US Open gets under way at Country Club (Open Course) in Brookline, Massachusetts on Thursday.

The tournament will feature 156 of the world's best golfers, with FIVE South Africans in the field.

The last time a South African won a US Open was in 2004 when Retief Goosen secured his second major title at Shinnecock Hills.

Sport24 takes a look at the golfers who will fly the SA flag:

Louis Oosthuizen

Age: 39

World ranking: 22

Best US Open: 2 (2021)

Oosthuizen heads into this week's US Open as South Africa's top-ranked golfer. 

The 2010 Open Championship winner made headlines earlier this month when he resigned from the PGA Tour to compete in the controversial LIV Invitational Golf series.

Oosthuizen featured in last week's inaugural event in London and finished 12th.

At last year's US Open at Torrey Pines, Oosthuizen ended an agonising second as Spaniard Jon Rahm claimed his maiden major title by one shot.

Oosthuizen will start his opening round on Thursday at 19:47 SA time alongside American Phil Mickelson and Ireland's Shane Lowry.

Shaun Norris

Age: 40

World ranking: 69

Best US Open: Missed cut (2020)

Norris earned his place in this week's major after winning the 2021/22 Sunshine Tour Order of Merit.

In March, Norris clinched his maiden DP World Tour title at the Steyn City Championship, which propelled him up the world golf rankings.

Norris also signed up for the controversial LIV Invitational Golf series and finished 22nd in last week's event in London.

The 40-year-old will be making his second US Open appearance this week as he tees off alongside Englishman Sam Horsfield and American Cameron Tringale (18:52 SA time).

Erik van Rooyen

Age: 32

World ranking: 76

Best US Open: T23 (2020)

Van Rooyen earned his place in this week's US Open