Biggies to bounce back at US Open

May 2, 2014: The best golfers of the world will return to the US Open at Pinehurst from June 12-16. With little over a month-and-a-half to go, defending champion Justin Rose, Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els, Dustin Johnson and few others need to take a hard look at their declining performance. The US Open will be an apt opportunity to bounce back.

The 2013 Champion Justin Rose has made seven of eight cuts on tour this season and has attained three top-10 finishes. He made a fine come back in the Masters last month after an opening-round 76 to finish tied for 14th.

Currently placed at No. 10 in the Official World Golf Ranking, Rose needs a victory or a series of top 10s to re-establish him.

[highlight]  In six starts this season, Rory McIlroy had six top-25 finishes, including a playoff loss in the Honda Classic that he controlled until losing focus on the back nine [/highlight]

Last year’s The Open champion Phil Mickelson hasn’t been at his best in 2014. Injuries have marred Mickelson’s game and he missed cut at The Masters for the first time in last 16 years.

The 43-year –old Mickelson, who is almost at the end of his PGA Tour career, would certainly like to give his best shot at the U.S. Open, where he has had six runners up finish, without a win.

Two-time US Open winner (1994, 1997), South Africa’s Ernie Els at 44 is running out of years to add another major to his tally. However, he has repeatedly shut the critics, as he proved by winning the 2012 Open Championship. If he wants to have a chance at Pinehurst, he’ll need to get his act together after missing the cut at the Masters and again at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.

Dustin Johnson kick started his 2014 by winning the WGC-HSBC Champions. In the succeeding five events, he never finished worse than 18th. However, things changed after a tie for fourth at the WGC-Cadillac Championship. Johnson pulled out from the Shell Houston Open and missed the cut at the Masters. He has to regain his playing form soon.

Ian Poulter has fallen from the No. 12 spot at the onset of 2014 to current No. 20. The Englishman began the year with a second place finish at the WGC-HSBC Champions, since then Poulter hasn’t had any top 10 finishes. He hasn’t played since his 20th place finish at the Masters.

Jason Dufner has fallen from 15th to 18th in the OWGR. Dufner hasn’t had any good show after his PGA Championship win. He also missed the cut in his first major since joining golf’s elite fraternity. His performance at the second major will be closely watched.

Rory McIlroy, who appeared most promising at the beginning of 2014-2015, has not been able to live up to it. In six starts this season, he’s had six top-25 finishes, including a playoff loss in the Honda Classic that he controlled until losing focus on the back nine. Nevertheless, he still needs to come up with his best.