McIlroy, Scheffler and DeChambeau headline blockbuster US Open groupings at Shinnecock

The Northern Irishman has been handed an early-late draw as he looks to add a second US Open crown to his collection.

McIlroy arrives at Shinnecock Hills two months after successfully defending his Masters title and 15 years after claiming his maiden major championship at this tournament.

McIlroy, Fleetwood and Aberg will tee off together at 7.52am local time (1.52pm South African time) on Thursday, with Fleetwood returning to the venue where he finished runner-up at the 2018 US Open.

World No 1 Scottie Scheffler is also part of the early wave as he begins his latest attempt to complete the career Grand Slam. The American, the bookmakers' favourite this week, will start his opening round at 8.15am (2.15pm SAST) alongside defending champion JJ Spaun and amateur Mason Howell.

Spaun is looking to become the first player since Brooks Koepka to successfully defend the US Open title, while Scheffler hopes to follow McIlroy's example from last year's Masters by completing golf's career Grand Slam.

Koepka, a two-time US Open champion, has been grouped with fellow Americans Chris Gotterup and Cameron Young in one of the standout all-American pairings.

Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau faces a stern challenge as he attempts to avoid a third consecutive missed cut in a major championship. The former US Open winner will tee off at 1.25pm (7.25pm SAST) alongside Viktor Hovland and 2022 champion Matt Fitzpatrick.

Fitzpatrick arrives in solid form after recording three PGA Tour victories this season and finishing runner-up to Bud Cauley at last week's RBC Canadian Open.

Another high-profile grouping sees former US Open champions Justin Rose, Jordan Spieth and Jon Rahm paired together for the opening two rounds.

Elsewhere, Xander Schauffele joins Justin Thomas and Hideki Matsuyama in another star-studded group on the late-early side of the draw as the season's third major gets under way.