US Open 2014: Justin Rose to play alongside Phil Mickelson at Pinehurst
Last Updated: 06/06/14 9:03pm
Justin Rose will make an early start in the defence of his US Open title at Pinehurst on Thursday.
Rose, who won his maiden major title at Merion last year, will tee off in the first round at 7.51am local time alongside Open champion Phil Mickelson and US Amateur champion Matt Fitzpatrick, who will turn professional at the end of the event.
Mickelson finished joint second behind Rose 12 months ago, a record sixth runners-up finish in the one event he needs to win to complete a career Grand Slam.
Sergio Garcia, Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson and Lee Westwood are also among the early starters from the 10th tee, with Garcia beginning his bid for a first major title at 7.18am alongside Australia's Jason Day and American Brandt Snedeker.
European number one Stenson is in the next group with Westwood and American Matt Kuchar.
McIlroy, who won his first major title by eight shots at Congressional in 2011, tees off at 7.40am with 2010 winner and fellow Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell, along with 2012 champion Webb Simpson.
World No 1 Adam Scott is out at 1.25pm along with the man who succeeded him as Masters champion in April, Bubba Watson, along with the 2011 green jacket winner Charl Schwartzel.
Three of golf's youngest stars have also been drawn together, the grouping of Jordan Spieth, Hideki Matsuyama and Rickie Fowler having a combined age of just 67.
