US Open predictions: Thomas can take advantage of early start

Canada's Adam Hadwin heads the field after the first round of the US Open but there are 24 players within three shots of the lead going into the second round. 

Tough, blustery conditions made life hard on Thursday and it will again be awkward on day two with high winds, heat and humidity expected at Brookline. 

Overnight rain is set to make temperatures slightly cooler and those teeing off in the morning will look to take their chance of moving up the leaderboard ahead of the weekend. 

The greens should be more receptive early on before the heat and wind dry them out for the afternoon starters, with several big names looking to shoot low and put themselves in a position to challenge.

Justin Thomas is looking for back-to-back Major success after victory at the PGA Championship. 

Although a one-under-par round was a steady start, there is room for improvement for Thomas, who will have been particularly frustrated to drop a shot at the par-five 14th. 

Playing alongside Viktor Hovland and Tony Finau, it is a group that promises birdies and Thomas looks the most likely to go low and keep on track for a first US Open title. 

Many people would have been rubbing their eyes in disbelief to see Scottie Scheffler two-over after 13 holes but the Masters champion finished strongly. 

Three pars and two birdies got Scheffler back to level par and much is expected of the world No1, who is looking to build on his T7 finish last year. 

The man from Dallas has the game to win a US Open title — he is second for Greens in Regulation on the PGA Tour and ranks 16th for distance off the tee. 

Scheffler is playing alongside an out-of-sorts Brooks Koepka (+3) and Players Championship winner Cameron Smith but the Aussie's game does not seem to suit this US Open test.

The only player in the field who has winning experience at Brookline is Matthew Fitzpatrick, who won the US Amateur Championship here in 2013. 

He not only enjoys the track but he also goes into this tournament in great shape, having claimed T2, T5 and T10 finishes in three of his last four starts on the PGA Tour. 

Fitzpatrick is just two shots off the pace after a first-round 68 and playing alongside two steady performers in Webb Simpson and Dustin Johnson is likely to help his cause in his attempt to win a first Major title.