The 119th United States Open begins on Thursday and will be played at Pebble Beach for the sixth time. Speaking of six, there will be that number of former Bulldogs in the field looking to capture golf’s third major. A former Georgia player has never won the U.S. Open, but Harris English, Kevin Kisner, Keith Mitchell, Sepp Straka, Brendon Todd, and Bubba Watson will look to become the first. Straka qualified up in Canada last week, and Harris English was named an alternate up there as well. Here's a list of the best finishes by a Georgia player ever at the U.S. Open.

Last year at Shinnecock Hills, Russell Henley did the best of all the Dawgs, finishing tied for 25th (not counting Patrick Reed). Brian Harman was tied for 36th, while Bubba Watson and Kevin Kisner missed the cut.

Speaking of Henley, the last time the U.S. Open was at Pebble Beach, Henley finished tied for 16th and tied for the low amateur of the tournament. Hudson Swafford also played as an amateur, but didn't make the weekend’s play.

Here's a deeper look at the former Bulldogs in the field.

As mentioned above, Harris English was a late add, but he’ll take it. English is currently ranked 309th in the world, and is 131st in FedExCup Points. He's made the cut in 15 of 21 events on tour this season. His best finish is tied for 12th at The Honda Classic back in March. English has shot under par in seven of the last eight rounds he has played. He did not play in either of the two majors played earlier this season. Here's a look at his U.S. Open career.

Kevin Kisner has been one of the tour’s best over the last few years, but he is still looking for a victory in one of the four majors. His official world golf ranking of 27 and FedExCup Standing’s rank of 19 are both very impressive. He's made the cut in 14 of 17 PGA Tour events this season and has a victory at the always-difficult WGC-Dell Tech Match Play. That is one of his three top 10s and seven top 25s this season. He shot five under par at The Masters this season, which gave him a tie for 21st. Here is a look at his U.S. Open career plus his history at Pebble Beach.

Keith Mitchell is making a name for himself on the PGA Tour this season with a win (Honda Classic) and three top 10 finishes. Mitchell has moved himself all the way to 57th in the official world golf ranking and 28th in FedExCup points. This season, he has entered 19 PGA Tour events and has made the cut in 13 of them. One of those events that he missed the cut was at Pebble Beach back in February. However he was tied for ninth after the first round after shooting a 66. He finished tied for 41st at The Masters this season and shot even par or better in three of the rounds. He didn't make the cut at the PGA Championship. This is Mitchell’s first time playing at the U.S. Open, but he's played at Pebble Beach twice.

Sepp Straka is a name Bulldog fans should get to know (as well as that of his brother Sam). He was actually born in Austria and lived in Vienna before moving to Valdosta at the age of 14. This is his first season on the PGA Tour (he does have one career Web.com victory) and has played 16 PGA Tour events this season, making seven cuts. He finished tied for 13th at the Farmers Insurance Open in January and tied for 16th at Puerto Rico Open a month later. He has yet to play in a major and has played at Pebble Beach once. He missed the cut, but shot even par in the first round.

Brendon Todd was a former Dawg that was one of Georgia’s finest on tour. Over the past few seasons, he has struggled but has played seven PGA Tour events this season and has made the cut in four of them. He has two top-25’s including a tie for 18th at the Wells Fargo Championship. He has shot under par in 15 of 23 rounds played this season. He has not played a major since 2015. Here is a look at his time at the U.S. Open and at Pebble Beach.

Of all the majors, it is the U.S. Open that gives Bubba Watson the most trouble. Georgia’s most successful professional golfer is looking for his third career major, but his first at the U.S. Open. He is currently ranked 20th in the world and 69th in FedExCup points. He has played 13 PGA Tour events this season and has missed the cut just twice (including the PGA Championship last month). He has two top 10s this season and almost had a third when he finished tied for 12th at The Masters back in April. After shooting even par in the first two rounds, Bubba went 67, 69 to finish the tournament. Here is a look at his career at the U.S. Open, plus a look at his time at Pebble Beach.

Pebble Beach is always one of the toughest courses year in and year out, but at the U.S.Open it will be even tougher. The greens will be about half the size of a normal PGA Tour event.

*** cover photo by Alan Layton