US Open Golf 2015: Tee Times, Date, TV Schedule and Prize Money

Rory McIlroy and a field of the world's most elite golfers are headed to the Pacific Northwest to tackle what is poised to be the most unique U.S. Open in the history of the tournament.

We're all familiar with the classic U.S. Open-style course. It has narrow fairways, incredibly thick rough, ice-slick greens and tree-lined fairways. It's a true test of accuracy and discipline. Well, this year, things will be looking a bit different, as America's most prestigious tournament will be taking place on a links-style track called Chambers Bay.

What makes Chambers Bay unique is its abundance of fescue. It lines the fairways and surrounds the greens, waiting to swallow an errant ball. While that's certainly intriguing, the course has wide fairways, enormous greens and lacks any significant trees, making it look at bit more like a European track than a U.S. Open course.

Here's a look at what the players are up against at Chambers Bay:

While this year's tournament will certainly be a unique test for every member of the field, the course has been met with some criticism by some players. Phil Mickelson shared his thoughts during a press conference, via Bob Harig of ESPN.com:

"

That's because historically it's not like a normal U.S. Open. It's everything like a British Open. The exact same grasses. I've never seen this type of fescue in the United States. I've never seen greens with fescue grass in the United States.

It plays exactly like the British Open plays. The ball runs like the British, you're hitting the same shots as the British, and so it's like a British Open in the U.S.

"

Mickelson has a good point, but one thing is for certain: Chambers Bay absolutely puts an interesting twist on the U.S. Open, and we're in for an exciting 72 holes of golf. So, as we anxiously await the tournament to commence, let's take a look at its essential viewing information, prize money and some notable Thursday tee times.

2015 U.S. Open

Date	Time(s) (ET)	Channel(s)
Thu., June 18	12-8 p.m. / 8-11 p.m.	FS1 / Fox
Fri., June 19	12-8 p.m. / 8-11 p.m.	FS1 / Fox
Sat., June 20	2-10 p.m.	Fox
Sun., June 21	2-10:30 p.m.	Fox

Live Stream: USOpen.com

Where: Chambers Bay Golf Course in University Place, Washington

Purse: $9 million

FedEx Cup Points: 600 to winner

Notable Thursday Tee Times

Golfer	Tee Time (ET)
Phil Mickelson	10:33 a.m.
Bubba Watson	10:33 a.m.
Hideki Matsuyama	11:06 a.m.
Matt Kuchar	11:06 a.m.
Henrik Stenson	11:17 a.m.
Dustin Johnson	11:17 a.m.
Adam Scott	11:17 a.m.
Sergio Garcia	11:17 a.m.
Jim Furyk	11:28 a.m.
Martin Kaymer	11:28 a.m.
Rory McIlroy	11:28 a.m.
Brooks Koepka	11:39 a.m.
Patrick Reed	11:39 a.m.
Chris Kirk	11:39 a.m.
Jordan Spieth	5:17 p.m.
Jason Day	5:17 p.m.
Justin Rose	5:17 p.m.
Tiger Woods	5:28 p.m.
Rickie Fowler	5:28 p.m.
Jimmy Walker	5:39 p.m.

The full tournament tee times can be viewed at PGATour.com.

Stars to Watch

Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images

All eyes will be fixed on McIlroy as he makes his return to American soil. The world No. 1 hasn't exactly been playing his best golf of late, missing the cut in each of his last two tournaments; however, he's not long removed from his victory in the Wells Fargo Championship.

While the Northern Irishman has struggled a bit of late, he hasn't lost his confidence and explained his U.S. Open preparation during a press conference, via Maggie Hendricks of USA Today: "I didn't touch a golf club last week. I had played five weeks in a row, and mentally, I was ready to have a little break. I just got away from it, did some other things I enjoy, got back to Florida on Sunday and started to practice."

We can speculate McIlroy will have an advantage at Chambers Bay given his familiarity with playing links-style courses due to the time he spends on the European Tour. If the players are forced to deal with elements such as high winds or precipitation—a likely scenario in the Pacific Northwest—McIlroy and other Europeans may have the upper hand.

Harry How/Getty Images

Although, if an American player is going to hoist the trophy after 72 holes, world No. 2 Jordan Spieth may have the best shot. His form has been a bit streaky of late, but he was still able to come away with two top-three finishes in his last four starts. He also enters the U.S. Open having the confidence of being a major champion.

Perhaps the biggest reason to like Spieth this week is his impressive course management and maturity. While other players are entering Chambers Bay with a negative mindset due to its layout, Spieth remains positive and is focused on claiming his second major in as many attempts. Here's what he had to say during a press conference, via Steve DiMeglio of USA Today:

"

First of all, if you are going to talk negative about a place, you're almost throwing yourself out to begin with, because golf is a mental game. Plus, the U.S. Open is about as challenging mentally as any tournament in the world. So you have to go in positively. You have to go in with enough confidence to get yourself into contention.

"

That's the mentality of a major champion.

Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images

As for the veterans in the field, Mickelson will be a player to watch. He's attempting to finally claim the career Grand Slam by winning a U.S. Open after coming so close a number of times—Lefty has six previous runner-up finishes in the tournament.

Mickelson's driver has a tendency to let him down at inopportune times, forcing him to play out of trouble. Interestingly enough, the wide-open layout at Chambers Bay could actually benefit the southpaw, allowing him a bit more leeway with an errant tee shot. Perhaps that's what he needs to finally get it done in the U.S. Open.

Harry How/Getty Images

Then we have the case of Tiger Woods. The former world No. 1 has fallen to rank just 195th after a couple of years plagued with injuries, personal issues and swing problems. Still, he continues to fight back and actually looked solid in the Masters this year, finishing tied for 17th.

During practice rounds at Chambers Bay, Woods impressed Jason Day with his precise iron play. Here's what Day had to say, per Doug Ferguson of the Associated Press (via Yahoo Sports):

"

Tell you what, if he could get on the fairway, he'd probably be back to where he was. His iron play is just ridiculous how good it is right now. It's really special. The driver and the 3-wood ... the 3-wood is OK, the driver gets a little wide sometimes. But I think that's the biggest thing for him right now is to really kind of get on the fairway. His short game looks pretty good.

"

Woods has a tendency to step up his game in a big way for major tournaments, and especially considering Day's observations, we really shouldn't be surprised if that's the case at Chambers Bay.