The US Open is back at Torrey Pines for just the second time – and the first time since Tiger Woods’ epic single-leg triumph in 2008.

As Woods is on one leg again after his shocking car crash in Los Angeles earlier this year, it will be his successful compatriots Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Justin Thomas, fellow Americans Xander ScHotele and Jordan Spieth and intelligent Spaniard John Rahm is in the spotlight.

But it’s not just the golf superstars licking their lips in yet another stroke of glory, with Leishman, Adam Scott and Cameron Smith quietly plotting to smash the party on a golf-ready course. job for Australian success.

Few tracks on the PGA Tour are more loved by Australians than Torrey Pines, where eucalyptus trees, familiar fairways, and sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean make Leishman and his company feel right at home.

“I grew up on that grass, I grew up on kikuyu fairways, poa greens,” said Leishman after his memorable 2020 Australia Day win at Torrey.

Leishman had finished second at the site twice, in 2010 and 2014, before breaking through, and is not the only Australian to have tamed the California coastal course.

“I grew up on this grass, I grew up on kikuyu fairways, poa greens.” – Marc Leishman after his victory in 2020 at Torrey Pines

Jason Day, sadly absent this week after falling into the top 60 in the world, had two course wins and also landed two finalists in San Diego.

But Torrey has not only proven a place of hope for Australians, but also heartache.

The 18th hole is named Devlin’s Billabong in honor of Bruce Devlin, as he contested the final round, sadly dunked seven shots in the water in 1975 to see his championship hopes collapse.

Before Woods dramatically beat Rocco Mediate in the playoffs to win the US Open at Torrey Pines 13 years ago, Stuart Appleby was the leader halfway and still well in the top 10 with Robert Allenby and Geoff Ogilvy. entering the championship on Sunday.

In total, six Australians have recorded second places at Torrey over the years, dating back to Bruce Crampton in 1973, Steve Elkington (1989), Nathan Green (2006), Michael Sim (2010) and Leishman and Day.

With the two-time US Open finalist Day missing this year, seven Australians are on the pitch.

Monday qualifier Steve Allen, European Tour player Wade Ormsby, Australasia Order of Merit winner Brad Kennedy and PGA Tour star Matt Jones, already winner in America this year, join Leishman, Scott and Smith.

Scott and Smith post the best US Open results of the seven, sharing fourth place in 2015 at Chambers Bay.

David Graham at Merion in 1981 and Ogilvy at Winged Foot in 2006 are the only Australian men to have won the US Open.

– Darren Walton, Australian Associated Press