Thursday 18 June 2015 15:38, UK
Tony Jacklin became the first European player to capture the US Open back in 1970, but it would be 40 years before the continent was celebrating another win in the event.
Graeme McDowell ended the drought with a superb performance at Pebble Beach in 2010, and his victory began a remarkable run of four wins in five years for European stars.
G-Mac passed on the baton to his fellow Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy, who obliterated the field - and the Congressional Country Club course - with his comprehensive and record-breaking triumph in 2011, just a couple of months after his spectacular meltdown at the Masters.
Webb Simpson pulled one back for the United States at the Olympic Club a year later, denying McDowell a second victory on the west coast by just one stroke.
But the home fans were disappointed again in 2013, when crowd-favourite Phil Mickelson again missed out on the one major to elude him as Justin Rose clinched his maiden major title at Merion.
And the trend continued last year at Pinehurst No 2, where Martin Kaymer made a tough course look ridiculously easy - opening with a pair of 65s before coasting to an eight-shot success.
Will the run continue this year? Find out when our live coverage of the US Open starts on Thursday at 5pm on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf.
