Scottie Scheffler handed once-in-a-lifetime opportunity at this week’s US Open with ‘amazing’ history on the line

Only six men in golf history have ever won the career grand slam.

But none of them have won it on a milestone birthday, while also celebrating Father’s Day as a proud dad.

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That is the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity presented to Scottie Scheffler at this week’s US Open.

The world No.1 and pre-tournament favourite gets his first chance to complete the set of four majors at Shinnecock Hills, having added The Open Championship to his trophy cabinet in July.

Rory McIlroy is the newest member of that exclusive club, which also includes Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.

While McIlroy famously took nearly 11 years to complete his collection at the Masters, the other five all got the job done within three years of creating the opportunity.

Woods only took 35 days, claiming his fourth unique major immediately after the third.

And most expect Scheffler, who turns 30-years-old on June 21, to join golf’s most illustrious club sooner rather than later.

The five-time major winner is currently enduring an unusually long winless streak, dating back to January, but he still has four top-three finishes in his last six events.

In other words: he’s not exactly lost his form. If anything, Scheffler is due a win.

Scottie Scheffler hopes historic chase will bring ‘more eyeballs’ to golf

On the eve of the US Open, the American discussed the possibility of becoming a grand slam champion.

“It would definitely bring more eyeballs to the sport, which I think is a good thing,” Scheffler said of the idea that ‘casual’ fans could be tuning in to watch him chase history.

“Golf is a great game, and I think it’s something everybody should have a chance to be introduced to.

“I think you learn a lot about yourself, a lot of life lessons through the game of golf.

“This game means a lot to me as a player, it’s been a huge part of my life for a long time.”

Scheffler went on to admit that even if he does win the grand slam, the nature of the sport means he still won’t have ‘lived up’ to all the expectations put on his career.

“It’s kind of a funny thing. If I win this tournament, that would be amazing,” he continued.

“But then I show up the next week, and it’s like, ‘Okay, now Scottie’s won the grand slam, he’s won all these golf tournaments, where do we go from here?’

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“So no matter what, as a player and professional athlete, you’re never going to live up to the expectations of people.

“Sometimes that’s a little bit of the fallacy of our sport. ‘Oh man, if I win the US Open then I’m going to be satisfied, my career is essentially over and I’ve accomplished everything I could want to accomplish.’

“But I think the goalposts are always just moved further and further.”

Scheffler will launch his bid to complete a career grand slam alongside defending US champion J.J. Spaun and amateur Mason ​Howell at Shinnecock Hills.

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The group has been given an early tee time to start the year’s third major, and will head out for the opening round on Thursday at 8:14am.