Challenges great as Open unwraps

BROOKLINE – A hotly anticipated US Open starts Thursday that will test the world’s top golfers over a formidable layout at a historic setting with a splash of controversy as well.

Defending champion Jon Rahm, four-time major winner Rory McIlroy, top-ranked Masters champion Scottie Scheffler and two-time major winners Justin Thomas and Collin Morikawa lead fan and oddsmakers favorites at The Country Club.

“You’ve got to have all aspects of your game ready to play some good golf,” reigning British Open champion Morikawa said.

In addition to creating dense rough and lightning-fast greens, the US Golf Association ensured drama by allowing players from the upstart Saudi-backed LIV Golf Series to compete rather ban them as the US PGA Tour did.

As a result, US stars Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Patrick Reed and Bryson DeChambeau are among the LIV Golf rebels teeing off in a unique sub-plot to the quest for a major title – the first LIV-PGA showdown.

“Who knew we loved all this drama?” Morikawa said. “It becomes a distraction and you don’t want to be focused on this or that. We’re here to win the US Open.”

Mickelson would complete a career Grand Slam with a victory after a record six runner-up efforts, and break his own mark as the oldest major winner.

“I’m excited to be back in this incredible championship that has eluded me,” Mickelson said.

Boston fans famously heckled Europe in a 1999 US Ryder Cup fightback victory and could offer more barbs.

“Whether it’s positive or negative towards me directly, I think it’s going to provide an incredible atmosphere,” Mickelson said.