This article is part of our Major Power Rankings series.
Below are our 2015 U.S. Open rankings. This list is geared toward winner-take-all leagues and leagues that reward the lowest aggregate score, but it can serve other leagues as well, no matter the nuances. Check the comments section for golfers who are scratched.
FAVORITES
CONTENDERS
FAVORITES
| 1. Rory McIlroy Note: World No. 1 is seeking second U.S. Open title, has the bonus of a links course that requires length |
| 2. Jordan Spieth Note: 21-year-old Masters champ could be first since Tiger Woods in 2002 to sweep year's first two majors |
| 3. Dustin Johnson Note: Withdrew last Thursday due to flu but if healthy is a strong contender to win first major |
| 4. Justin Rose Note: Red hot with a runner-up at the Masters, win at the Zurich Classic, runner-up at the Memorial |
| 5. Phil Mickelson Note: Six runner-up finishes at U.S. Open. Chambers Bay fits his long ball and creativity around greens |
| 6. Rickie Fowler Note: Fresh of a win at The Players, Fowler's next step is claiming a major after top-5s in every major last year |
| 7. Henrik Stenson Note: Swedish star has world class game to contend anywhere, but links course more than suits his fancy |
CONTENDERS
| 8. Bubba Watson Note: Immensely long with creative eye has its advantages at Chambers Bay, but needs to putt well to contend |
| 9. Jason Day Note: Missing cut at last two starts (Players, Memorial) casts shadow on chances, but has traits to compete |
| 10. Sergio Garcia Note: Coming off playoff loss at The |
Below are our 2015 U.S. Open rankings. This list is geared toward winner-take-all leagues and leagues that reward the lowest aggregate score, but it can serve other leagues as well, no matter the nuances. Check the comments section for golfers who are scratched.
FAVORITES
CONTENDERS
IN THE HUNT
NEED A FEW BREAKS
LONG SHOTS
FAVORITES
| 1. Rory McIlroy Note: World No. 1 is seeking second U.S. Open title, has the bonus of a links course that requires length |
| 2. Jordan Spieth Note: 21-year-old Masters champ could be first since Tiger Woods in 2002 to sweep year's first two majors |
| 3. Dustin Johnson Note: Withdrew last Thursday due to flu but if healthy is a strong contender to win first major |
| 4. Justin Rose Note: Red hot with a runner-up at the Masters, win at the Zurich Classic, runner-up at the Memorial |
| 5. Phil Mickelson Note: Six runner-up finishes at U.S. Open. Chambers Bay fits his long ball and creativity around greens |
| 6. Rickie Fowler Note: Fresh of a win at The Players, Fowler's next step is claiming a major after top-5s in every major last year |
| 7. Henrik Stenson Note: Swedish star has world class game to contend anywhere, but links course more than suits his fancy |
CONTENDERS
| 8. Bubba Watson Note: Immensely long with creative eye has its advantages at Chambers Bay, but needs to putt well to contend |
| 9. Jason Day Note: Missing cut at last two starts (Players, Memorial) casts shadow on chances, but has traits to compete |
| 10. Sergio Garcia Note: Coming off playoff loss at The Players, enters with form and has always favored British-style courses like Chambers Bay where ballstriking is critical |
| 11. Hideki Matsuyama Note: Patient player with incredible ballstriking, in solid form, could easily find the leaderboard Sunday |
| 12. Adam Scott Note: Struggled transitioning to short putter with one top-10; still great but putting needs to improve dramatically |
| 13. Jimmy Walker Note: Top 10 at last year's U.S. Open in breakout season; more success in 2015 with two wins, in good form |
| 14. Jim Furyk Note: Typically a U.S. Open contender, but Chambers Bay isn't typical U.S. Open setup; should still be solid |
| 15. Martin Kaymer Note: Defending U.S. Open champion will look to repeat last year's eight-shot trouncing |
| 16. Matt Kuchar Note: Has shown only mediocre results in 2015. Only thing left off Kuchar's resume is a major championship |
| 17. Patrick Reed Note: Played in 2010 U.S. Amateur at Chambers Bay, only a matter of time before he contends at a major |
| 18. Tiger Woods Note: On the heels of career-worst 85 Saturday at the Memorial Tournament, Woods' game is a shambles but he's still capable of making the U.S. Open cut and more |
| 19. Brandt Snedeker Note: Won at Pebble Beach earlier in the year, but may struggle at the lengthy Chambers Bay layout |
| 20. Billy Horschel Note: Top 5 at 2013 U.S. Open, starting to turn his game around in 2015 after a 2014 FedEx Cup triumph |
| 21. Brooks Koepka Note: Among the longest hitters on Tour, in good form, darkhorse to win if only his short game holds up |
| 22. Paul Casey Note: Long, solid tee-to-green, would love nothing more than to revive career turnaround with major win |
| 23. Keegan Bradley Note: Trending well since April, has the length to get in the mix and improve last year's top-5 at U.S. Open |
| 24. Lee Westwood Note: Missed the cut at last year's U.S. Open, but otherwise has strong U.S. Open record |
IN THE HUNT
| 25. Zach Johnson Note: Has never contended at U.S. Open and likely will be outsized by the massive Chambers Bay |
| 26. Ryan Moore Note: Hometown favorite from nearby Tacoma will have plenty of support and hopefully rally to get in the mix |
| 27. Byeong-Hun An Note: Won BMW PGA champion by six strokes and played in the U.S. Amateur at Chambers Bay |
| 28. Hunter Mahan Note: Made two final groups in 2013 majors, top 10 at this years Masters; could contend if short game is sharp |
| 29. Graeme McDowell Note: 2010 U.S. Open champ has been off the radar but as an Irishman will look forward to links-style layout |
| 30. Louis Oosthuizen Note: Playing with Tiger and Fowler, 2010 British Open champ will have to overcome crowds and a nagging neck injury |
| 31. J.B. Holmes Note: Won the Houston Open in a playoff and has plenty of distance to tame the lengthy course |
| 32. Webb Simpson Note: 2012 U.S. Open champ missed the cut last week but was runner-up at Quail Hollow prior to that |
| 33. Jason Dufner Note: Sowly turned game around last couple months following divorcee; needs to putt well to have a chance |
| 34. Kevin Kisner Note: Lost in playoffs at The Players Championship and RBC Heritage |
| 35. Luke Donald Note: Struggled this season with one top-10, likely will run into problems due lack of distance off tee |
| 36. Ian Poulter Note: In solid form, a fan of links layouts, short game needs to shine to find the leaderboard Sunday |
| 37. Bill Haas Note: Finished fourth at The Players a month ago; has never really contended at majors in his 11 year career |
| 38. Chris Kirk Note: Won at Colonial a few weeks ago; best major finish is a T19 at the 2014 British Open |
| 39. Kevin Na Note: T12 at last year's U.S. Open, on a hot streak of eight straight top-20s in strokeplay events dating to March |
| 40. Ryan Palmer Note: Has made just 1 of 5 cuts at the U.S. Open, likely due to an underwhelming short game |
| 41. Gary Woodland Note: Runner-up to Rory McIlroy in WGC-Matchplay, plenty long. Only questions are scramble ability, patience |
| 42. Francesco Molinari Note: Contended at both the BMW PGA Championship and Memorial Tournament the last month |
| 43. Jamie Donaldson Note: Clinched the Ryder Cup for Europe last year and was top 10 at The Players a month ago |
| 44. Marc Leishman Note: Missed the Masters due to wife's illness but has since racked up five top-30 efforts in six events |
| 45. Shane Lowry Note: Irishman has recently played more events on the PGA Tour but is a solid on links courses |
NEED A FEW BREAKS
| 46. Danny Willett Note: Was T45 in his first U.S. Open last year but not a threat to win |
| 47. Charl Schwartzel Note: Missed last year's cut but has a decent record at U.S. Open and links-style courses, so could surprise |
| 48. Charley Hoffman Note: Top 10 at the Masters and has contended multiple other times this season, winning the OHL Classic |
| 49. Brendon Todd Note: Rode a hot streak last year to post a U.S. Open top-20 but in much lesser form heading in this year |
| 50. Russell Henley Note: Has been in OK form recently but hasn't contended since April |
| 51. Victor Dubuisson Note: Nicknamed "Golden Hands" for his short game prowess, notched two top-10s in majors last year |
| 52. Ernie Els Note: Struggled to make cuts this season but does have three U.S. Open top-10s the last five years |
| 53. Alexander Noren Note: Swede won the Nordea Masters a couple weeks ago; best major finish was a T9 at the 2012 British Open |
| 54. Bernd Wiesberger Note: Top-60 player in the world, in the final group at the 2014 PGA Championship, finishing T15 |
| 55. George McNeill Note: Qualified in Columbus, Ohio, with rounds of 70-66; has never contended in a major |
| 56. Brian Harman Note: Won his first PGA Tour event at the John Deere Classic in 2014 |
| 57. Branden Grace Note: Third U.S. Open start after winning the Qatar Masters in January |
| 58. Ben Martin Note: Won the 2014 Shriners Open and has three other top-10s this season |
| 59. Robert Streb Note: Won McGladrey Classic last fall en route to great start to season; enters with three straight top-20s |
| 60. Tommy Fleetwood Note: Maiden European Tour victory at 2013 Johnnie Walker; recently a quarterfinalist at WGC-Matchplay |
| 61. Tony Finau Note: Among tour's longest hitters, qualified for his first U.S. Open with rounds of 66-67 in Springfield, Ohio |
| 62. Angel Cabrera Note: 2007 U.S. Open champ has two career majors, could surprise as underdog in pairing with Bubba and Phil |
| 63. John Senden Note: Solid tee-to-green game but needs to vastly improve short game from many runoff areas of Chambers Bay to contend |
| 64. Miguel Angel Jimenez Note: First over 50 player to win on European Tour in 2014; runner-up at 2015 BMW PGA Championship |
| 65. Cameron Tringale Note: Contended at the 2015 Zurich Classic and competing in second U.S. Open |
| 66. Geoff Ogilvy Note: Eight PGA Tour wins including the 2006 U.S. Open |
| 67. Joost Luiten Note: Has four European Tour victories, his last the 2014 ISPS Handa Wales Open |
| 68. Matt Every Note: Defended his title at Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill for his second PGA Tour win |
| 69. Bo Van Pelt Note: Making his ninth start at the U.S. Open, best finish is a T14 in 2011 |
| 70. Erik Compton Note: Two-time heart transplant recipient delighted fans to a distant runner-up at last year's U.S. Open |
| 71. Marc Warren Note: Three European Tour wins, including one last year to jump into the top-60 world rankings |
| 72. David Hearn Note: Shot a 11-under 133 to qualify in Columbus, Ohio. Lost in playoff to Spieth at 2013 John Deere Classic |
| 73. Michael Putnam Note: Grew up stone's throw from Chambers Bay; on bag is brother Joel, a year-round caddy at Chambers Bay |
| 74. Retief Goosen Note: Two-time U.S. Open champ from 2001 and 2004 |
| 75. Stephen Gallacher Note: Back-to-back titles at the 2013 and 2014 Dubai Desert Classic; three total European Tour wins |
| 76. Thongchai Jaidee Note: Runner-up effort at the recent BMW PGA Championship |
| 77. George Coetzee Note: Won the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open last month on the European Tour |
LONG SHOTS
| 78. Danny Lee Note: Claimed 2008 U.S. Amateur as a 18 year old; now 24, Lee will look to make a major cut for the first time |
| 79. Alexander Levy Note: First U.S. Open start after earning medalist honors at Walton Heath sectional qualifier in England |
| 80. Lucas Glover Note: 2009 U.S. Open champ was fourth player to win U.S. Open after earning spot via sectional qualifying |
| 81. Daniel Summerhays Note: Qualified in Columbus, Ohio., sectional; first amateur to win on the Web.com Tour in 2007 |
| 82. Ryo Ishikawa Note: The "Bashful Prince" owns 11 Japan Golf Tour wins, his first at the ripe age of 15 |
| 83. Morgan Hoffmann Note: Lost to 2010 U.S. Amateur champ Peter Uihlein in quarterfinals at Chambers Bay; 36-hole leader at Bay Hill this year |
| 84. Andy Sullivan Note: Collected first two European Tour victories in 2015, winning South African Open, Joburg Open |
| 85. Thomas Aiken Note: Shot 71-68 in sectional qualifier at Walton Heath Golf Club in England to earn his spot in the U.S. Open |
| 86. Camilo Villegas Note: Four PGA Tour wins, his last the 2014 Wyndham Championship |
| 87. Marcel Siem Note: Five worldwide wins, most recently the 2014 BMW Masters |
| 88. Anirban Lahiri Note: Won 2015 Hero Indian Open to slip inside top-60 of the world rankings; making first U.S. Open start |
| 89. Bryson DeChambeau Note: Won 2015 NCAA individual title |
| 90. Kevin Chappell Note: Earned two top-10s at the U.S. Open in 2011 and 2012 |
| 91. Cheng-Tsung Pan Note: Making pro debut at Chambers Bay; Earned medalist honors at Tumble Creek G.C. in Cle Elum, Wash. |
| 92. Billy Hurley III Note: Former U.S. Navy Lieutenant shot 6-under 138 at sectional qualifier at Woodmont C.C. |
| 93. Cameron Smith Note: Posted 8-under 136 at Columbus, Ohio, sectional qualifier to make first U.S. Open start |
| 94. Blayne Barber Note: Shared medalist honors at Memphis sectional to earn spot in U.S. Open |
| 95. Andres Romero Note: Holds four career top-10s at majors and one PGA Tour win in 2008 |
| 96. Roberto Castro Note: Edged his brother Franco to earn last spot out of Ball Ground, GA. Looking to make first cut at U.S. Open |
| 97. Charlie Beljan Note: Survived panic attack and went on to win 2012 Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Classic |
| 98. Brad Fritsch Note: Shot 8-under 136 at the Columbus, Ohio, sectional to make his second U.S. Open appearance |
| 99. Jamie Lovemark Note: Qualified for his first U.S. Open by shooting a 2-under 139 at the Purchase, N.Y. sectional |
| 100. Matthew NeSmith Note: Shot 63-64 in Ball Ground, Ga., sectional to post lowest 36-hole qualifying score in all 12 sites |
| 101. Brandon Hagy Note: Shot 8-under 134 at Memphis sectional to earn first U.S. Open berth |
| 102. Cody Gribble Note: Shot 67-67 at Northwood Club to qualify for second U.S. Open. Former Texas state champ, college team champ |
| 103. Richard Lee Note: Returned nine months after thumb surgery to earn spot via Cle Elum, Wash. sectional |
| 104. Darren Clarke Note: Qualified on the heels of his 2011 British Open triumph |
| 105. D.A. Points Note: Has two PGA Tour victories but has never cracked the U.S Open top-60 in five starts |
| 106. Marcus Fraser Note: Shot 69-70 in sectional qualifier at Walton Heath qualifier in England |
| 107. Garth Mulroy Note: Shot 73-66 at Walton Heath international sectional qualifier in England |
| 108. Sam Saunders Note: Has made 8 of 19 cuts on PGA Tour this season, including runner-up at Puerto Rico Open in March |
| 109. John Parry Note: Making second U.S. Open start after tying for 28th in his debut in 2013 |
| 110. Tom Hoge Note: Qualified via Memphis sectional; also qualified for 2010 U.S. Amateur at Chambers Bay |
| 111. Steve Marino Note: Survived three-man playoff for the first-alternate spot in Dallas |
| 112. Wen-Chong Liang Note: Second Chinese golfer to qualify for the U.S. Open, behind 14-year-old Andy Zhang in 2012 |
| 113. Lee McCoy Note: Shot 65-66 at Ball Ground, GA to qualify for first U.S. Open |
| 114. Sam Horsfield Note: Won the 2013 Florida State Amateur by 11 strokes |
| 115. Beau Hossler Note: Held the outright lead in the second round of the 2012 U.S. Open at The Olympic Club as a 17 year old |
| 116. Ollie Schniederjans Note: Recipient of 2014 Mark H. McCormack Medal for being No. 1 in World Amateur Golf Ranking |
| 117. Lucas Bjerregaard Note: Shot 67-70 in sectional qualifier at Walton Heath Golf Club in England to earn a second consecutive spot in the U.S. Open |
| 118. Colin Montgomerie Note: Won U.S. Senior Open and Senior PGA Championship in 2014; holds 45 professional wins worldwide |
| 119. Lee Janzen Note: Two-time U.S. Open champion will be appearing in his 20th career U.S. Open |
| 120. Sebastian Cappelen Note: Won the 2014 Air Capital Classic on the Web.com Tour after narrowly Monday qualifying for the event |
| 121. Brad Elder Note: Played in the 2000 and 2003 U.S. Opens; making third U.S. Open start 12 years after his last start |
| 122. Andy Pope Note: Shared medalist honors with five-time PGA Tour winner Luke Donald in Jupiter, FL |
| 123. Hiroyuki Fujita Note: Playing in the U.S. Open for the fifth time in six years, his best finish a T51 in 2012 |
| 124. Seuk-Hyun Baek Note: Competing in first major; Lost 2014 CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters to Anirban Lahiri by one stroke |
| 125. Masahiro Kawamura Note: Won the 2013 Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open on the Japan Golf Tour |
| 126. Jason Allred Note: Contended for 2014 Northern Trust Open, tying for third |
| 127. Jack Maguire Note: Shot 70-70 at The Bear's Club in Jupiter, FA to qualify |
| 128. Denny McCarthy Note: Qualified for first U.S. Open with 6-under 138 at Woodmont Country Club's North Course in Rockville, Md. |
| 129. Kyle Jones Note: Shot 65-69 in sectional qualifying at Northwood Club in Dallas to earn spot; Senior at Baylor |
| 130. Davis Riley Note: Runner-up at 2013 and 2014 U.S. Junior Amateurs |
| 131. Brian Campbell Note: Shot 6-under 137 at Newport Beach to earn second consecutive U.S. Open berth |
| 132. Troy Kelly Note: Runner-up to Ted Potter at 2012 Greenbrier Classic on PGA Tour; Washington native |
| 133. Nick Hardy Note: Carded 68-66 at the Springfield, OH sectional qualifier |
| 134. Matt Mabrey Note: Making professional debut at U.S. Open after qualifying with 67-67 in Dallas |
| 135. Tjaart Van Der Walt Note: Played in 2004 British Open and making second major appearance |
| 136. Jared Becher Note: 7-under 136 at Newport Beach, Calif., sectional to earn first U.S. Open start; assistant pro in Reno |
| 137. Rich Berberian, Jr. Note: Assistant pro at Windham (N.H.) Country Club qualified out of Purchase, NY sectional |
| 138. Pat Wilson Note: Won 2013 Met Golf Association Amateur after playing at St. Johns and Susquehanna Universities |
| 139. Alex Kim Note: Lost to Byeong-Hun An in round of 32 in 2010 U.S. Amateur at Chambers Bay |
| 140. Gunn Yang Note: Won 2014 U.S. Amateur and recently played in 2015 Masters |
| 141. Jake Knapp Note: UCLA golfer qualified via Newport Beach, Calif., sectional |
| 142. Tim O'Neal Note: Qualified for his first U.S. Open by shooting 69-73 in sectional qualifying at Woodmont Country Club |
| 143. Stephan Jaeger Note: Only golfer to claim Southern Conference Player of the Year three times |
| 144. Josh Persons Note: First alternate from Rockville, Md., sectional |
| 145. Michael Davan Note: Played college golf at IUPUI; Summit League Player of the Year for 2011-12 |
| 146. Kevin Lucas Note: Shot a 9-under 134 to earn medalist honors at the Newport Beach, Calif., sectional |
| 147. Tyler Duncan Note: Has made 5 of 11 cuts on Web.com Tour in 2015; qualified out of Memphis sectional |
| 148. Kurt Barnes Note: Won 2002 Australian Amateur and 2003 New Zealand Amateur Stroke Play Championship |
| 149. Jimmy Gunn Note: Avid fisherman edged PGA Tour player J.J. Henry in a playoff for the first-alternate spot at Memphis |
| 150. Mark Silvers Note: Chambers Bay will be his second U.S. Open, after he qualified for Pebble Beach in 2010 |
| 151. Jason Palmer Note: Won Foshan Open in 2014 on the European Challenge Tour; chips one-handed |
| 152. Shunsuke Sonoda Note: First alternate from Japan international sectional |
| 153. Oliver Farr Note: First alternate at Walton Heath international sectional in England |
| 154. Shiv Kapur Note: Won individual gold medal at 2002 Asian Games |
| 155. Cole Hammer Note: Just 15 years of age, Hammer will become the third youngest to tee it up in the U.S. Open |
| 156. Bradley Neil Note: Claimed the 2014 British Amateur title at Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland |
