Rahm, McIlroy get early US Open starts with LIV stars Mickelson, Oosthuizen in the afternoon

Defending champion Jon Rahm and four-time major winner Rory McIlroy will tee off early in Thursday's first round of the US Open while Saudi-backed LIV Golf's top stars make afternoon starts.

Tee times were released on Monday by the US Golf Association for the first and second rounds, with local amateur Michael Thorbjornsen hitting the opening shot off the first tee at 06:45 (12:45 SA time) on Thursday at The Country Club.

World number two Rahm, a Spaniard who took his first major title last June at Torrey Pines, will start in the fourth group off the first tee on Thursday alongside James Piot, last year's US Amateur winner, and fellow American Collin Morikawa, the reigning British Open champion and 2020 PGA Championship winner.

Northern Ireland's third-ranked McIlroy, coming off a victory on Sunday at the Canadian Open, begins from the 10th tee at 07:40 (13:40 SA time). alongside Japan's Hideki Matsuyama, the 2021 Masters winner, and American Xander Schauffele, last year's Tokyo Olympic champion.

Top-ranked Scottie Scheffler, the reigning Masters champion, tees off at 13:25 (19:25 SA time) on the 10th hole along with Australian Cameron Smith and four-time major winner Brooks Koepka.

World number five Justin Thomas, who captured his second major crown at last month's PGA Championship at Southern Hills, goes off the first tee at 13:14 (19:14 SA time) alongside US compatriot Tony Finau, ranked 15th, and Norway's ninth-ranked Viktor Hovland.

Mickelson, Oosthuizen paired together

Top players who have signed with the LIV Golf Invitational Series are being allowed to play this week by the USGA even though they have been suspended from PGA Tour events.

Most of them will launch afternoon charges in what promises to be an emotional