EAST Lothian’s Grant Forrest will tee off at the US Open for the first time today (Thursday).

A total of 156 players have either qualified or received a special invitation to play in the tournament.

The competition, which reaches a finale on Sunday, is being held at Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina.

American Wyndham Clark is the defending champion, having won his maiden Major at the Los Angeles Country Club last year.

Forrest, who lives in Pencaitland, will fly the flag for Scotland at the tournament, broadcast across the world.

READ MORE: Scottish Open: Grant Forrest happy with his final performance

The 30-year-old sealed his place at the third Major of the season by topping the leaderboard at a qualifying event in Surrey last month.

At that time, he said: “I can’t wait: my first US Open, so I’m looking forward to it.

“The US Open is traditionally the toughest test, so I’m looking forward to the challenge.

“I played the US Kids Teen World Championships at Pinehurst, I think back in 2009.

“They have changed it since then, but I’m looking forward to going back.”

It will be the third time Forrest has competed at a Major.

Eleven years ago, he played at Muirfield but rounds of 73 and 86 saw him miss the cut at The Open.

Then, at The Open in 2018 at Carnoustie, he finished on 11-over-par after rounds of 80 and 73.