Sleepers: U.S. Open

Andrew Johnston … When your nickname is Beef and you own the kind of distinctive facial hair not typically associated with a golfer, you’re going to attract an allegiance of fans who won’t care how you perform inside the ropes. However, expectations continue to rise for the 26-year-old Londoner who broke through for his first European Tour victory in Spain two months ago. He’s added a T7 at the BMW PGA Championship and a T12 in the Nordea Masters since, and sits 16th in the Race to Dubai standings. Also ranks 29th in accuracy off the tee and 16th in scoring opportunities.

Kevin Streelman … Had been scuffling shortly before and in the two months after his second child was born in March, but finally snapped out of it with a share of eighth place at the Muirfield Village two weeks ago. Now positioned to parlay that confidence with a tee-to-green game that will matter at Oakmont. He’s 25th on the PGA TOUR in ball-striking.

Thomas Aiken … The South African is having a rough go as a PGA TOUR rookie this season, but his struggles didn’t influence his game at the BMW PGA Championship three weeks ago. Flashing patented precision off the tee, he tied for fourth. Overall, he’s second on TOUR in fairways hit, T8 in greens in regulation and fourth in ball-striking. And again, while his talent isn’t translating in the U.S., the 32-year-old isn’t a stranger to world stages. In 11 starts in majors, he has three top 25s, including in his only previous appearance in the U.S. Open in 2015 (T25).

Grégory Bourdy … The 34-year-old from France medaled at England’s sectional qualifier. It was a timely test as his game has been rounding into form for months. Since a runner-up finish at the Alfred Dunhill Championship to conclude 2015, he’s recorded four top 10s and another five top 25s worldwide. He’s missed only two of his last 22 cuts. Currently 28th on the European Tour in fairways hit, 41st in greens in regulation and 19th in scoring.

Jaco Van Zyl … Infamously turned down a spot in the World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship due to last-minute travel challenges from his native South Africa, but the 36-year-old former PGA TOUR member hasn’t paused in extending his terrific form that yielded victory in late February. Most recently, he placed personal-best T7 at the BMW PGA Championship. It’s the latest of seven top 25s worldwide in 2016. Will rely on his strengths off the tee, around and on greens.