Blockbuster trio of Scottie, Rory, Xander headlines U.S. Open tee times

The USGA has opted for a blockbuster grouping of the world's top three golfers in the opening two rounds of action at Pinehurst this week.

Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele and Rory McIlroy will be off at 1:14 p.m. ET on Thursday before turning around and playing at 7:29 a.m. the following day. Scheffler and Schauffele are both looking for their second major win of the season while McIlroy is attempting to end a 10-year drought in golf's biggest events.

The Thursday afternoon wave also features a grouping of Bryson DeChambeau, Max Homa and Viktor Hovland at 1:25 p.m. with the latter two players seeking their first major title.

In the early wave for Round 1, Tiger Woods tees off with 2022 champion Matthew Fitzpatrick and Will Zalatoris at 7:29 a.m. Two-time winner Brooks Koepka is off 11 minutes later alongside Justin Thomas and Collin Morikawa.

Players will go off both the first and 10th tees for the opening two rounds in an effort to get the entire 156-man field through the course before dark.