The groups for the opening two rounds at this week's US Open have been announced, with the world's top three players forming the stand-out grouping. Martin Kaymer, Lee Westwood and new world number-one Luke Donald will be the most followed group during the opening two days at the Congressional Club. German Kaymer lifted his first major at last season's PGA Championship last season, while English duo Donald and Westwood are still looking to end their droughts.

Donald has been in scintillating form this season and the 33-year-old will be among the favourites to be challenging on Sunday. Westwood will have plenty to prove after losing his spot at the top of the rankings and once again the Englishman will be desperate to finally lift a major. World number three Kaymer has failed to build on his stunning 2010 but the German will still be heavily backed to mount a challenge this week and the golf odds reflect this.

Last year's winner Graeme McDowell has earned his spot in the traditional champion's group, which also contains the reigning Open champion Louis Oosthuizen and US Amateur winner Peter Uihlein. Northern Ireland's McDowell is looking to bounce back from a worrying loss of form over the past few months, and will need to vastly improve his game if he is to defend his title this year. As anyone following the US Open betting will know, he has looked far from himself lately.

McDowell's compatriot Rory McIlroy has been placed in a group with experienced American duo of Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson. The Ulsterman will be out to banish memories from his shocking final day at the Masters in April, where he threw away a final round lead to finish way down the field in a performance that was painful to watch. This year's Masters champion Charl Schwartzel, will join fellow Augusta winners Trevor Immelman and American Zach Johnson who will all be in with a shout this week in Maryland.

Italian brothers Edoardo and Francesco Molinari have been placed together, with youngster Matteo Manassero alongside the Ryder Cup winning siblings. The teenager will benefit greatly from playing alongside his fellow Italians and Manassero could well be one of this year's surprise packages.